5 Ways to Get Rid of Headaches

Since I have a migraine heading my way, I decided this would be a good topic. Headaches are one of the most common afflictions we can have but fortunately, they're often one of the easist to get rid of. So in that vein, I offer you my experience on what will help get rid of headaches.

1. Drink lots of water - I can't stress that enough. One of the most common causes of a headache is dehydration. This is a big contributor to the headaches that often accompany hangovers as well. Also, we've become a society of caffeine addicts and one problem with that is that caffeine is a diuretic and instead of quenching your thirst, it will actually make you more thirsty because you will be expelling water that your body needs to maintain balance. In other words, don't let coffee, tea, and sodas become a substitute for water. Your body will thank you. I'm not saying that you need to avoid all caffeine, just make sure you drink water, too.
2. Make sure you're not withdrawing - Along with our caffeine consumption is addiction. You may be addicted to caffeine without even realizing it. Fortunately, if that is what is causing your headache, it's easily solved with more caffeine. It doesn't fix the root of the problem, but it does fix your headache.
3. Stretch your muscles - When we are under tension or stress, we feel it a lot in our shoulders and our necks. That's what causes tension headaches. Take steps to directly relieve some of that tension by slowly stretching each muscle from your waist to your head. Be methodical and massage each joint. Yes, it will take 5 minutes, but it could be part of your headache solution. Besides, it just feels good.
4. Go for a 5 minute walk. This has a number of effects. First, if gives you fresh air. This could clue you to any sinus problems that are causing your headache. Also, it will force you to refocus your eyes. We often forget that eyestrain is also a prime cause of headaches. The best way to get rid of eyestrain is to focus on something far away once in a while. And the best way to focus on something far away is to step outside.
5. Know your over-the-counter pain relievers. Personally, I've found Excedrine® (or the generic alternative) is the best for headaches. It's even got approval by the US FDA to specifically claim it's recommended for migraines. It has the the ingredient in Tylenol® as well as aspirin and a little bit of caffeine. If your headache is sinus-based, you probably want Sudafed® or Sudafed-PE®. If allergies are making your headache worse, Claritin© is your friend. Just follow the directions on the bottles and don't take too much or whenever it's not indicated. Used safely, over-the-counter medications can be a big help if you're taking the right medicine for the right symptom.

Lastly, I can't stress enough that if you have headaches that persist for days or are too severe for you to handle, don't be afraid to see a doctor. A headache can be a symptom of something more. Also, there are medications for migraines that could be helpful if your doctor recommends. One such drug, Imitrex® is even available (by prescription only) to be used on an as-needed basis with not only pills but with a quick-acting nasal spray or a faster-acting injectible pen.

Remember, if you're in pain, it's your body telling you something isn't right. If you're in ongoing pain, you deserve to find out what is causing it and what can be done to relieve it.

Nobody should accept pain as "just the way it is".

Previous articles:

8 Good ways to exercise your brain

5 Ways To Stress Relief

7 Ways Fighting a Hangover

10 ways to have an Active Mind

10 Ways to get a Good Night's Sleep

Heal Your Headache: The 1-2-3 Program for Taking Charge of Your Pain

Source: http://alwaysuseful.blogspot.com/

5 Ways To Stress Relief

Stress has been called 'the plague of our time'. More than ever before stress relief seems to be in great demand and especially for people in stressful jobs or careers. It would be more appropriate to ask which jobs or careers are not stress related and you would probably be able to count the number on one hand. As a self help tool for handling stressful situations in your everyday life, I'll give you 5 simple methods for instantly relieving stress that has worked great for me. I really hope these methods can be useful for you as well.

Remove stress with relaxation

If you are stressed, sit down at the most comfortable place you can find, close your eyes and say to your self slowly:

"I am calm. Absolutely calm. I feel relaxed. My hands are heavy. I'm calm and relaxed. My arms are heavy and relaxed. My arms and my legs are relaxed and heavy. My torso is relaxed, calm and feels heavy. My shoulders and neck are heavy and relaxed. My entire body is calm, relaxed and heavy. I feel great, relaxed and calm. I feel warmth spreading from my stomach to all parts of my body. My entire body is calm, relaxed, heavy and warm. I feel good and I’m totally relieved from stress. "

Continue having this feeling of being totally relaxed and stress less for as long as you can or want. When you decide to finish this down-stressing session, take a deep breath and stretch out your arms in a short and energetic movement. How do you feel now? Practice this exercise every time you feel stressed.

Sit down and look at the Sea

If you are stressed and need to relax go to the harbor, the nearest beach or any place close to the sea, or a lake if you live in the inland. Just sit there and feel it, smell it, hear it. Don't think so much, just sense. Do you feel relaxed? Keep on until you feel the stress has left you.

Take a Walk

If you are stressed leave your home or office and take a thirty minute walk. Just walk don't talk to anybody. Try to relax while you walk. Instead of thinking or focusing on your current problems, try to sense your environments like smell, sound impressions and what you see as well as your inner feelings; heart beat, your feet touching the ground and the movements of your arms. Do you feel relaxed now? After half an hour your stressful feelings should have disappeared.

Listen to Music

If you are stressed sit or lie down, walk or do whatever you want, while you are listening to music. Don't listen to heavy rock and similar music, this might invoke even more stress. Relaxing with a Nat King Cole ballad or two, some slow pace smooth Jazz, the Adagietto movement of Gustav Mahlers 5th symphony or Mozart's Grand Partita for wind instruments are all great. Do you feel more relaxed? Is your stressfulness leaving you? It should.

Laugh, laugh and laugh

If you are stressed, call or visit friends that you have had much fun with. Talk with them about funny things you have done in the past and as they the youngsters say, “Get your laugh on”. Do all you can to provoke good and healthy laughter as it is very relaxing and dissolves the away the stress. Read a joke magazine, watch a comedy DVD or video or listen to a funny audio. If you have kids around you, play a crazy and childish game with them, they love it and everybody will relax. The point is, laugh and your stress will disappear and you'll feel relaxed.

Source: www.isnare.com

15 Easy Ways To Relax At Work

Do you have a sore back and stiff neck after only a few hours at work? Does the rush to meet deadlines, constant talking on the phone or finishing off reports seem to wear you down hour by hour? Then maybe it's time to relax for a few moments over the course of each day.

If done right, even a minute of not thinking about work can help you loosen up in the long run. And if you don't think you have time for a five-minute break, you may just be working too hard.

Here are 15 quick, easy tips that will hopefully rest your nerves, up your productivity and postpone the onset of ulcers.

1- Massage your temples
Think of it as massaging your brain, in a manner of speaking. Take your eyes off the computer screen, focus on something down the hall (this helps to ease the muscles that move your eyeballs) and try to relax your whole body. Breathe, and try to forget what you were just working on, even if only for a moment.

2- Listen to music
Whether it's something soothing that mellows you out or something hard and heavy, music is great for a quick escape. Try using headphones at your desk or sitting in your car during a break so you can have the tunes all to yourself. The more engaging it is for you, the more it will release your tension from work.

3- Change settings
Don't let your cubicle turn you into Milton from Office Space . Change your scenery a little bit by reading something standing up, or doing some work in the conference room. You'd be surprised how much even the slightest shift in spatial surroundings will positively affect your composure.

4- Stretch
That's right, stretch. And I'm not simply referring to the "lean back in your chair," yawning, "boy I could sure use another cup of coffee" kind of stretching. Get out of your chair, find a little floor space, and work it like you were on the track team. Touch your toes, flex your calves, make little circles with your arms. The muscles of the body are interconnected so the more you stretch, the more the whole body relaxes.

5- Take a walk
It's best to get outside for some fresh air, but if limitations keep you indoors, even a stroll around the office will help you break the monotonous routine. Focus on moving parts of your leg and arm muscles that have been stationary all day. Even climbing a flight of stairs can do the trick.

6- Exercise
Go to the gym, take a bike ride, go for a jog, or play catch outside with a co-worker. There's no doubt that one of the best contrasts for draining mental exertion is physical exertion. Upping your heart rate a little will get your blood flowing more quickly. Obviously, this one takes more than a few minutes -- so don't blame me if you Stairmaster yourself through a staff meeting.

7- Do something personal
Reply to an e-mail, return a personal phone call, or even handwrite a letter. Reminding yourself that you actually have a life beyond your cubicle is a nice reaffirmation. Also, thinking about a relationship or a fun event can provide a nice mental diversion, even if you only do so for a moment.

8- Have a cup of tea
As the world's second most popular beverage (the first is water), tea has to be good for you, right? Try the caffeine-free variety, unless you're a coffee addict, in which case you might need your little jolt. Tea helps digestion and is great for relaxation.

9- Eat something
A light snack is a nice sensory change from mental grunt work. Something with protein is best, as it is less likely to make you crave more snacks later in the day. Be forewarned that if you eat too much, you'll end up like a lion after it devours its wildebeest -- lazy!

10- Have a drink
Don't get carried away and don't make a habit of it, but a glass of wine or beer with lunch, or a splash of Baileys Irish Cream in your coffee during a break might be just what you need. Sometimes a slight glaze over your tense mood will help you relax and work more efficiently and calmly.

11- Read a comic strip
Anything that gives you a little intellectual stimulation outside of your usual professional mind-set is a good distraction. You'd be surprised how much a five-minute read will help alleviate stress and momentarily erase the nagging thoughts in your head between nine and five.

12- Plan your weekend
Looking ahead to the weekend, or better yet your vacation time, can easily cheer you up. But don't get carried away, otherwise you'll end up despising your workday even more. Take a minute or two to imagine the beach or snuggling under the covers on Sunday morning and before you know it, you'll actually be doing it.

13- Freshen up
Take a trip to a secluded bathroom, roll up your sleeves, wash your hands, and splash some water onto your face. Get some cold water on your temples and on the back of your neck. Aside from being refreshing, cold water on the skin can awaken your senses.

14- Do something creative
Draw a cartoon, paint a little picture, take a photo, write a poem. This will remind you that your brain is capable of tasks other than the ones you repeat all day.

15- Run an errand
Go to the bank or the post office and do something for yourself. You can even pretend that the power drill at the hardware store or the new boxed set at the record shop is, for a few minutes anyway, more important than work.

Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times

10 Ways to Avoid Holiday Stress

The holidays are here but and, don't worry...I won't abandon you in your time of need. Using these exercise and health strategies, you can reduce holiday stress and deal with shopping, family visits and those sleepless nights you'll spend putting together complicated toys for the kiddos. Before you completely lose it, find out how to squeak through the holidays unscathed.

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1) Hit the Gym
I know, I know...you've seen about 432 articles about beating holiday weight gain, but forget about that because this is way more important. This is about you and sanity remaining on speaking terms. The gym is your only escape. You can workout, but you can also sit in the hot tub and sweat out your stress in the steam room. Ahh, sweet relaxation. Go. Now.

2) Lift Weights

Lift weights. Yes, resistance training helps you build stronger bones, blah blah blah. But, what about carrying all those shopping bags? And pushing through those manic crowds at the mall? And hanging off the ladder while hanging lights on your house? There are a myriad of holiday scenarios that will require muscle, so check out this database of workouts and choose something that fits your fitness level and schedule.

3) Run or Walk

You may not be crazy about cardio but, during the holiday season, it can have many benefits. First, cardio exercise is proven to increase those feel-good hormones which helps reduce stress, plus you'll help maintain your weight or at least minimize weight gain from eating too many treats. Bonus: When you need a break from the family, it gets you out of the house and helps you re-locate yourself to a place far, far away.

4) Meditate With Yoga

Yoga is fabulous for flexibility, but did you know that it's also great for preparing your mind for the inevitable: your mother's annual guilt trip? Yoga helps center your mind, thus strengthening your guilt deflectors. Mom won't know what hit her when she says, "I worked on this pie for hours, but I'm sure your dessert is much better," and you smile benignly while standing in Tree Pose.

5) Sleep

Eight hours of sleep will give you energy and keep you alert for all the festivities. Now more than ever, you need as much shut-eye as you can get. Bonus: It also allows you to avoid any and all conversation with family. So when Aunt Frieda says, "I've had the worst time with my bunions lately...," simply close your eyes, gently snore and wait for New Year's.

6) Cook--And Make It Healthy

The cook has the hardest job during the holiday season; stuffing the turkey and making that ubiquitous green bean casserole. Keeping everything healthy will help you control calories and it will also make you feel better--heavy, fatty foods can make you tired and cranky. Bonus: Who is the one person excused from all family conversation? Get your butt in there and start cooking something.

7) Shop

Shopping is exhausting--and great exercise! The endless walking and hours of browsing can help you get a little exercise in, even when you're too busy to think. Bonus: Everyone has last minute gifts to buy, right? This is yet another acceptable reason to get yourself out of the house for a legitimate reason. So what if it's Christmas morning. I'm sure there's a 7-11 open somewhere...

8) Drink

Water. It does so many things for you, but what you need to concentrate on right now is energy. Being dehydrated makes you tired and cranky, so drink up all day. Remember that alcohol can be dehydrating--if you drink (and you know you will), have a glass of water between each drink to keep you sober and hydrated (and help avoid a hangover). Note: Make sure you're near a bathroom.

9) Just Say NO!

Saying no is an art form and during the holidays, there's no better gift you can give yourself. Your first priority should be taking care of yourself--if you don't, nothing will get done. Make priorities and decide which functions you must attend, which tasks you can delegate to the spouse or kids and then say no to everything else. Practice with me now: "NO." I can't hear you..."NO!"

10) Reward Yourself

When the holidays are over, it's time to reward yourself for a job well done. Consider a massage, facial or just an hour in the bath tub with the door locked. There's always a little let down when the holidays end, so pick yourself up with a little self-care.

10 Ways to Destroy Stress and Anxiety

Let’s face it. Wouldn’t you like a life with the peace of mind that comes from knowing how to find stress relief? Is it as easy as just finding ways to relax?

Here are my best Lori Prokop Tips on how can you get rid of stress and anxiety and have peace of mind? Here’s how.

1) Down Easy. When you feel your muscles tightening from stress and anxiety, make a choice to relax. Years ago at one of my first speaking events I found stress relief from a seasoned member of the stage crew who said, “Lori Prokop, here’s how I relax.” This is what he told me to get rid of my stress and anxiety.
Imagine yourself as a rubber band stretched tightly. Relax and just let go. You will see how quickly the rubber band finds its own stress relief and comes back into its normal shape. Upon your direction, your muscles and body do the same thing and find their stress relief.

2) Breathe. I find when I feel stress and anxiety, I breathe shallowly. When I am at events, and especially if I am feeling stress and anxiety, people remind me, “Lori Prokop, you need to find stress relief and peace of mind. Breathe!”

Here is the Lori Prokop Peace of Mind Technique. I’m not saying that I, Lori Prokop, invented it. I am saying it is one of the ways I use to relax and get rid of stress and anxiety.

To find peace of mind imagine being surrounded with pure air. Breathe peace in. Breathe stress and anxiety out. Notice how much more pure and unique the peaceful air smells. Breathe in peace again. Breathe out stress and anxiety. Repeat as desired.

3) One-Minute Peace of Mind. At times the world can be moving so fast we forget to relax, take a break and find stress relief. Many people who experience stress and anxiety have a challenge with slowing down and finding peace of mind for any length of time.

If this is you, start with the Lori Prokop One-Minute Peace of Mind Technique.

Just stand still for one minute. Look at something beautiful or read a quote for one minute. Spread these through your day and see how many minutes of stress relief you can accumulate.

4) Lori Prokop One-Minute Relax. Here is quick stress relief and one of many great ways to relax.

To get rid of stress and anxiety, sit for a moment or longer if you choose. Relax and extend your feet on the floor in front of you and feel the stress and anxiety leave your body.

For maximum stress relief, place your head back on the headrest. Raise your arms in front of you. Then permit them to gently fall towards and rest on the top of your thighs. Feel the stress relief and peace of mind.

5) Mind Trip. Right now for peace of mind, picture the most pleasurable place you have ever been or seen. Multiple times each day, return in your mind to this place and experience the healing peace of mind feelings. When I do this, I imagine a beautiful lake with a sign saying, “Welcome, Lori Prokop.” Instantly I have peace of mind and stress relief.

6) Peace. Melt away stress and anxiety by imagining what peace of mind feels like. Feel peace flowing through your mind and body. For stress relief, I say to myself, “Lori Prokop, I am peace. I feel my body moving from stress and anxiety to relaxation.” You can do the same and feel peace of mind.

7) Remove. Every morning and evening remove thoughts of stress and anxiety. See these thoughts flowing out and peace of mind flowing in.

8) Say. A spiritual healer once said to me, “Lori Prokop, words heal, especially words such as relax, tranquility, peacefulness, restfulness, serenity.” Pick words that relax you. Repeat them throughout your day.

9) Time. Here is one of the top Lori Prokop Ways to Relax. Each day spend 10 minutes in quite. Use this to empty your mind, as best you can, of thoughts or stress and anxiety. If you find it challenging to experience peace of mind for 10 minutes, then try one minute each hour of the day. If you find it challenge to find peace of mind at all then use this time to read a book with a healing message.

10) Three. For maximum stress relief, upon rising in the morning and turning in for the evening, I say three times to myself, “Lori Prokop, 100% pure love and light is with me, guiding me and helping me.” Try doing the same.

There you have 10 ways to relax and melt away stress and anxiety. So go ahead and use these Top10 Lori Prokop Stress Relief and Peace of Mind Techniques right now.

10 Ways To Fight Stress

Stress is like an avalanche. It starts with little things and then pulls with it the bigger ones. When facing big challenges people try to do them right and in time. Little thins are those that finish us off. When we allow them to...

Main problem is the feeling then life is becoming too complicated, with too much obligations, unpaid bills, broken appliances. Not to mention the cars.

You can't cope with that. There is a way, just be persistent.

1. Make a list: I've made a list of upcoming private and business obligations. For example: visit a doctor, get a car fixed, meetings, e-mails... I've unloaded my brain and became concentrated on other things.
2. Group your obligations: I've grouped my obligations by listing all items connected to an obligation. For instance- shopping: I've made separate lists of groceries, beverages and house cleaning stuff. It's easier to find your way around the store that way. You won't forget anything and you'll finish shopping earlier.

3. Priorities: It's easy to say: "Make plans." It's harder to execute. For me, the first priorities are things that make our life easier and more comfortable. Paying bills for utilities, Internet, schooling... Without paying these I'll have a hard time to complete other obligations.

4. Electronic planner: Electronic planners are handy because they don't occupy a lot of space. All information is in one place and I always have a nice overview of things. It was a fun toy at the beginning and later became a habit. Useful habit.

5. Don't waste your strength on small things: I told you that the little things are the ones that start an avalanche. How many times small tings made you crazy. For example, everything is just fine, your guests are almost here but a light bulb in hallway is out of order; or noisy laundry machine; or used up remote control batteries... I have a rule to do at least one thing from the main list (look at item 1.)

6. Don't just fuss over broken things: Out of order things are the source of stress. Instead of getting nervous I try to fix broken things or call the handyman. It's cheaper then headache pills.

7. Distribute responsibilities: I've distributed responsibilities among my family members. That way I don't need to work all day long. Husband and kids can help a lot when needed. I've reduced my stress level, others were useful and we completed our tasks in time. This can be a model for companies, too.

8. Say "No": I've learned to say "No!" It was hard at the beginning, but... it's much easier now. Why should I do something that is not my responsibility? Collecting toys, preparing books for school... it's not my business. Everyone has to know their duties.

9. Don't hold off things for tomorrow: I've tried the famous excuse - I'll do it tomorrow, I don't feel like doing anything now. Then I realized it's not working that way. Chores started to pile up, my consciousness went wild and stress began to mount. I started working under pressure.
Then I changed my approach. I started to implement previous eight tips. In the beginning, I didn't manage to complete everything on the list (because there were too many) but I didn't panic. Step by step, things went to normal.

10. Think positive: I've learned to face difficult challenges and to get valuable experience out of them. It's not a big deal to do just one thing. Big deal is to accommodate all duties.

All in all, you can always go out with friends. It always helps!

URL: http://blogi-dijana.blogspot.com/2006/12/10-ways-to-fight-stress.html

5 Ways to Reduce Stress Levels

Stress is an unavoidable part of life, and managing it well is key to having a happy and healthy lifestyle. What I’ve come to realise is that it’s taking care of the little things really make a big difference in managing stress. Keeping the small things at bay, makes sure they don’t build up and come back to haunt you later on.

Here’s a little list to start with, and here are my favourite takeouts from the site:

#4. Don’t rely on your memory - write it down. You will have one less things at the back of your mind, and a perfect record of whatever you need to remember.

#12. Make copies of important papers and store them where you’ll be able to find them.

#14. Ask for help - You’re not alone in this world.

#15. Chunk down big jobs into little ones - Makes things much easier to digest and act on. Definately helps with procastination

#68. Have a “plan B” - That way you know you have a backup plan and can move forward instantly if anything goes wrong.

What are your favourite ways to reduce stress?