Stress Relief Strategies

Small Changes that will make a BIG difference in your life

1. SRS in the Workplace

Turn your desk or workplace into a Relaxation Station!

Download Jan’s SRS “Stretching, Breathing & Relaxation Techniques” program onto your computer (which includes the “Natural Vistas Video”), and you‘ll be ready to stop what you’re doing now and then to take a much needed stress relief break. Follow along with the video and you’ll be doing safe and effective neck and shoulder stretches and overhead arm stretches while sitting right at your desk. You’ll stand up and do simple forward stretches that release the tension you’ve been accumulating in your neck and back all day. You’ll discover that some deep breathing improves circulation, clears your mind, calms your nerves. Soon you’ll return to work feeling surprisingly refreshed and recharged. (One section of the SRS program is entirely devoted to techniques designed to be done at and around your workstation during normal business hours.)

In addition, anytime you’re on the phone or doing other tasks at your desk or around the office, you can select a “Natural Vistas – Relaxing Scenery” video to play on your computer screen. Observing nature (beaches, rainforests, waterfalls, mountains, deserts, and other exquisite, peaceful places), even on video, can quickly change a person’s state of mind. Whenever one needs to release tension and briefly “get away” from it all, it’s almost as good as being there, and very effective in reducing stress. You’ll find that noticing the vivid natural scenery (even out of the “corner of your eye”) is far more relaxing than the usual screen savers.

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As part of the Stress Relief Strategies (SRS) program, Jan suggests certain changes and additions you can make to your own workspace to reduce stress on the job. For example, if possible, implement the following:

· surround yourself with plants and air filters for better breathing;

· choose pictures of natural scenery which catch your eye and calm your nerves;

· install non-glare lighting to reduce eye strain;

· place a screen on your computer monitor to shield you from harmful electro-magnetic effects;

· use ergonomic furniture and accessories;

· add a rock waterfall to your workspace environment and notice the soothing effect it creates.

Companies are encouraged to create a Stress Relief Room in the workplace. (For details, see “Stress Relief Room - During Business Hours” addendum.)

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2. SRS at Home

Download Jan’s “Stretching, Breathing and Relaxation Techniques” onto your portable computer or Pocket PC and you can stretch out anywhere in the house. Remember to stop, stretch, and breathe while using your home computer. Or play the VHS version on your TV. Turn off your cell phone, let the answering machine do its job, and put your brain on DND (Do Not Disturb). Then tell your family and roommates that you’re taking a stress relief break. You’ll be back soon with more energy to take care of them and everything else you must do!

Jan suggests ways of creating spaces that are conducive to relaxation, places that can be used to stretch, breathe and let go of stress in and around your own home.

Inside the house:

The living room, kitchen, den, bathroom, and bedroom can all be transformed into great places to relax and unwind. While at work, we can’t really sit or lie down on the floor to stretch out and breathe deeply! At home, we can more conveniently do the following:

· change into comfortable stretchy clothes;

· use a “sticky mat” on the floor for a non-slip stretching surface;

· use a cushioned floor workout mat to protect your knees, spine, and stomach when in contact with the floor;

· look into full length mirrors (in order to observe your alignment and posture while stretching and extending parts of the body);

· introduce green, leafy plants into the places where we stretch and relax, in order to create more clean, fresh oxygen to breathe;

· install proper lighting (non-glare incandescent vs. fluorescent) to be more soothing on the nerves.

· Play “Natural Vistas – Relaxing Scenery” on the computer or television to remind you to let go, anytime it happens to catch your eye.

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Outside in your own backyard (or out on the deck or porch):

Weather permitting, a porch or the backyard can provide a space for sitting, standing, or lying on your back. With Jan’s program on your Pocket PC or laptop computer, you can enjoy fresh air and sunshine while you stretch, breathe, and relax outside.

Jan suggests a step-by-step “how to” for creating the ideal backyard or porch space for stretching, breathing and relaxation. For example, on the lawn, non-skid stepping stones may be placed in the formation of a figure-8 walking path. You can walk on this path when you need to release some pent-up emotional stress; or simply take a breather while talking on your portable phone, right in your own backyard. On the introductory video, she takes us to a nursery and selects stepping stones, plants, grass, flowers, and a waterfall which has a very relaxing effect splashing into a pool of clear water. She demonstrates how easy it is to take any backyard and create a space conducive to stress relief. Any or all of these elements can be added to a backyard of any size.

She encourages the viewer to place a treadmill or Rebounder (mini trampoline) on the deck or porch for aerobic exercise (when you can’t get to the health club!) We take a look at the cardio-aerobic and weight-resistance equipment available for use at home; Jan shows us how to stretch before and after exercise, and apply proper alignment and breathing techniques during workouts for safest and most effective use of this equipment.

Consider how much it may benefit you and the members of your family once everyone becomes accustomed to using your own backyard as a Stress Relief oasis.

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3. SRS on a Business Trip

Flying these days can be a highly stressful experience. Business trips can drain our energy in many ways. Separation from family, unexpected airport delays, time changes, the lack of sleep, navigating in unfamiliar territory, dealing with taxis, hotels, less than the healthiest choices of food – all of these factors create stress on the body and mind. Combine these common travel stressors now with the constant bombardment of bad news from the world front headlining every newspaper, magazine, and TV news report; and the mere thought of what could possibly happen next, weighing heavily on our minds. It’s tough enough dealing with the world from home; no wonder we become tense, exhausted and depleted when we travel on business.

Now there’s something you can do to help to reverse the effects of stress on the road. Download Jan’s “Stretching, Breathing, & Relaxation Techniques” onto your laptop or Pocket PC before you go. Along the way, take time out to relieve some of that pent-up stress by letting go of the tension accumulating in your muscles and nerves. Do some simple stretching, remember to breathe deeply now and then using the full capacity of your lungs, take your mind completely off of your immediate surroundings from time to time, mentally escaping to a place that’s quiet and calm. Rest your brain; relax your body; then return to what your were doing refreshed, relaxed, rejuvenated.

In the airport, on the plane, in your hotel room, pop open your laptop or prop up your Pocket PC and follow along with one or more of the 5-minute modules, recharging the batteries of your mind and body. In the morning before you get dressed and go to that important meeting, in the evening before you sleep, in the afternoon before you use the hotel workout facility (you do that, don’t you?) . . . opportunities abound to take a stress relief break. You’ll feel so much better and be far more productive while you’re out there on the road; coping with challenges more effectively along the way. And you’ll return home feeling much better than you ever have after previous business trips before. Using Jan’s program, you’ll discover that you can have lots of energy and remain calm and stress free even on the go.

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4. SRS on Vacation

Download Jan’s SRS “Stretching, Breathing & Relaxation Techniques” program onto your Pocket PC or laptop and take it with you on vacation. Look for opportunities to use the 5-minute modules to help you become more relaxed and enjoy yourself more than you ever have on vacation before. Feel truly STRESS FREE while you’re away from work and home; you’ll have more fun while you’re there, wherever you go. And you’ll bring more of that great feeling home with you (along with your photos and videos).

Stress Relief expert, Jan Dacri, will be your personal guide to letting go on vacation. She’ll help you (and your family members?) truly unplug and unwind. Simply follow along with the video and the magic will happen. You’ll actually have a relaxing vacation. What a concept!

Company sponsored Stress Relief Vacation trips, with Jan as host and guide

When companies send their executives and employees on Stress Relief Vacations, as an innovative incentive program, incredible goodwill is generated toward the company. Participants return to work a week later totally relaxed, with fully re-charged batteries, invigorated, inspired, and equipped with the ability to incorporate Stress Relief Strategies into their everyday life at home and at work.

Jan accompanies the group and leads in-person stress relief excursions on and around relaxing resort destinations all over the world. (See “Stress Relief Vacations; Executive & Employee Incentive Program” addendum.)

5. SRS for the Wellness Clinic

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The doctor or therapist committed to providing a truly beneficial health care program for patients can implement a Relaxation Room within his/her own office space. A Stress Relief Program includes providing a conducive environment and offering the opportunity to utilize its resources.

We all know how beneficial a Chiropractic, Acupuncture/Acupressure, electro-therapy, physical therapy or massage treatment can be in adjusting, aligning, and balancing the body. Now, instead of having patients walk out the door, right back into the stressful world immediately after being treated, we can offer a truly valuable alternative option. By giving the patient an opportunity to spend some time in a space devoted entirely to relaxation, the positive effects of their treatment may be considerably enhanced and prolonged. When the body is relaxed, the mind can become still and calm, and greater healing is more likely to occur.

Jan Dacri’s MindBody Stress Relief Videos are available for use in the Relaxation Room; they are also available for patients to purchase and use at home, in the office, on the road.

This is a safe and highly effective way to teach patients how to become and remain more flexible, balanced, and aligned and improve muscle tone. It will also help them to learn to enhance their breathing, increasing their lung capacity, and energy circulation. They will learn basic relaxation techniques, highly effective in reducing stress and supporting healing.

This video product is endorsed by Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Acupuncturists, MDs and massage therapists. Practitioners in any field can now recommend that patients learn to stretch safely and correctly, practice breathing techniques, and relax completely by following along with Jan’s gentle, articulate, expert guidance.

(For additional details, see “Wellness Centers; the Relaxation Room" Addendum.)

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