Tag Archives: Stress

Can You Disconnect?

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Unwind

Unwind

My family and I recently returned from a family vacation at a beach in North Carolina. It was heavenly. What I found most appealing about this vacation was that I was able to leave my Blackberry in my room for hours at a time and just completely disconnect from the world, and all of my worries, deadlines, stresses…

My boys enjoyed their “downtime” mom, who wasn’t constantly checking email or making calls. I learned to let go and relax, really relax. Every time a thought about work came into my head, I dismissed it! Best vacation ever.

How about you? Are you able to take a vacation from your iPhone, your computer, your endless commitments at work?

I recently polled a bunch of friends and a few strangers as to whether they are able to completely disconnect and take a vacation. I got a variety of answers. Some of the responses alarmed me.

Many of those I talked to said they were able to partially disconnect, meaning they would check voice and emails in the mornings, spend time with their families and then check in again in the afternoon. A couple of people said they actually turned their electronics off all day and only checked them at night for emergencies dealing with family.

Then there were those individuals who said “time is money and clients don’t wait for me to get back from vacation.” One woman who has her own business, along with a husband and two small children, told me no, she has no time to disconnect during vacation. She clears a salary of about $350,000 a year and her husband is a lawyer. She said she looked at how much revenue she would lose if she took a week off of work and asked herself, “Is it really worth it.” Her answer was no.

Really? Taking time to focus and spend quality time with your children, your husband, is not worth losing one week’s worth of revenue?

Everyone has their priorities. I’d like to suggest we adopt the model of many European countries where companies pretty much shut down for the month of August and everyone goes on holiday. Sounds nice, huh?

Excessive Amounts of Stress Are Detrimental to Your Health

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YogaToday more than ever it is crucial that we include practices in our daily lives that promote health and peaceful growth. The state of the economy, the political unrest, the stresses we face on a daily basis, are all barriers to our well-being. We all face the increasing stresses of work and family, while living in a society of quick fixes, quick meals and quick glimpses of family caught on the fly. We run fast, work hard and spend the day checking things off our “to-do” lists.

Excessive amounts of stress are detrimental to your health. Studies have shown that stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

We need to find ways to relieve stress and slow down. One way a number of people do this is through yoga—any one of its numerous variations.  Many people find that yoga is a wonderful addition to their workout routine for a number of reasons.   For one, it is less jarring and impact-dependent than most aerobic exercises. It is very calming and stress-reducing, helping to create a sense of union in body, mind, and spirit. It brings us balance. It is also an incredible weight-bearing exercise that builds muscle and requires little to no equipment (clothes and a yoga mat!).

Studies show that among yoga’s many benefits are its ability to lower blood pressure, improve bone density and reduce reducing and manage joint pain, swelling and stiffness.

Yoga also increases flexibility, allowing muscles and ligaments to remain healthy and strong. Circulation of synovial fluid, which delivers nutrients to the cartilage that encases the ends of the bones in the joint, is improved, promoting greater nutrient absorption. Yoga helps with balance, reducing risks of accidental falls as you age. Yoga massages internal organs, helps balance metabolism and regulate weight.

Besides the quantifiable health benefits, yoga is calming. Yoga induces peace, and reduces stress.

There are so many types of yoga that anyone can participate. Research the classes at your local gym or yoga studio. Find one that fits your body and fitness level. Be sure to let your yoga instructor know of any injuries or medical conditions before class.