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PrintWays to Keep Sane Amid Everyday Stress
1. Wake Up Like A Cat
After you open your eyes, take a few minutes to stretch your body, loosen your spine, and give a big yawn. After stretching, take three deep and luxurious breaths, inhaling energy and exhaling any remaining fatigue.
2. Stop Multitasking
Challenge yourself: Spend half a day without multitasking. You’ll feel much less frazzled by day’s end—and surprised at how many things that you think are so important really aren’t.
3. Unstructured Time
When we create space for “nothing,” something invariably happens, whether it’s a creative burst, deep rest, spontaneous daydreaming, or the chance to spend quality time with someone. Try spending a few hours without plans or an agenda.
4. Take a Media Fast
Our psyches sometimes need a break from the violence of the news and constant communication of e-mail and text messages. Try a one-day to one-week media fast.
5. Breathe
Learn how to take a deep breath in the midst of a stressful situation: As you inhale, your belly and collarbones rise. As you exhale, your collarbones lower and abdomen pulls in. This breathing can transform your experience.
