|
Ideas, insights and inspiration for busy people on the go Friday, April 8, 2005 |
|||
|
Top Sponsor
Running a Special? Purchase your Discount Coupon for our April 16 mailing. http://Go-GetGlobal.com/advertise/ecoupons.html
Editor’s Scribbles
You know, many of us are so busy rushing about our daily lives we’ve forgotten how to relax. Even when we go on vacation, we come back so tired we need another vacation to recover from our vacation
Minute Chaser is in its fourth month of publication and I need your honest opinion about how I’m doing. I know lots of you eagerly await the new issue every Friday but I need to hear it from you.
Is Minute Chaser helping you in your busy life? Have our tips been useful to you? What else would you like to see here? How can I improve Minute Chaser?
Don’t just tell me the good things. I’m a big girl, I can take constructive criticism LOL. It’s the only way I can make this ezine serve you better. Use the form at the end of this page to submit your feedback (and your free ad).
Have a great weekend, everyone. Ciao for now
Editor/Publisher Website: http://MinuteChaser.Go-GetGlobal.com
Modern Living Relaxation by Jim Sullivan We talk a lot about stress in our society, but very little about relaxation. Odd, isn’t it? The ability to relax is, in my view, undervalued. We value driven people, achievers, go-getters. “He’s a bit laid-back” is more likely to be an insult than a compliment! We all need to relax. Heart disease leads too many of us to an early grave. Interpersonal friction damages marriages and relationships. The everyday tensions of life weigh too heavily on us, crushing our sense of joy at being alive. (If I become too lyrical, just slap me) The ideal image of the truly relaxed person is the sprinter tearing down the track. Watch his face -- see how the skin ripples easily. He’s utterly relaxed, even to his facial muscles. He’s pumping his arms but, again, see how the muscles float freely. Relaxed. Not holding him back. Now look at his eyes. They’re focused on one thing only -- the finishing tape. This is the paradox of relaxation: we perform optimally when we are both relaxed and focused. This applies in every aspect of life. Relaxation + focus = optimum performance. In social relationships. At work. In sports and athletics. It’s the goal of every sports psychologist -- to help their athletes to stay in control of body and mind, even when they are playing the most important game of the year. It’s called being “in the zone”. It’s sometimes referred to as “Daring to lose, to win”. Allowing yourself to be bold, to take risks, and not to fear the consequences. Watch a top-flight sportsperson at work and you will see what I mean. It’s the difference between competence and mastery, that moment when it all looks so easy. How do we get “in the zone”? There are two proven relaxation techniques : deep meditation and hypnosis. I use both, personally. If these approaches seem daunting, then let me suggest a few simple techniques which you can use every day, without special training or expense, to help you shed some of your daily load of anxiety. The first technique is the simplest: just take a deep breath in, hold it, and release slowly. As you release, let your shoulders drop. You’d be surprised how much tension resides in our shoulders. A variation of this technique is the walking meditation. As you walk along, count your paces. Breath in for 4 paces, hold for 4, breathe out for 6. Start again. You can vary the numbers. A singer I know does 12 in, 12 holding and 12 out, but then breath control is her stock in trade. Another useful, everyday technique is to develop awareness of your body. For example, observe your breathing. Become aware of the breath entering your body. The slight increase in tension in your chest muscles as your chest expands. The release of tension on the outbreath. Any part of your body can be treated in this way. Pay close attention to your body here and now, and you will rapidly shed some of your tension. A third approach is to use an external object as your focus. A cup, for example. Let everything else disappear from your attention and focus exclusively on the cup. Become aware of its glaze. The porcelain beneath. Sense its curvature. Let its history begin to seep into your soul. I’m getting lyrical again, so slap me. When you focus intently on an everyday object, not forcing the issue but allowing that object to fill your field of awareness, good things happen to your mind and body. It’s another example of living in the here and now. Some people shy away from hypnotherapy and meditation. I can understand the reluctance if you’ve never experienced the benefits, but I can wholeheartedly recommend both approaches. My own hypnotherapy clients swear by the CDs I give them. How simple is that? Half an hour of ‘quiet time’ every so often (typically, once per week) can unwind the tensions of work, relationships and the general hassles of modern life. Whatever solution you choose, you won’t regret learning to relax. It’s the most valuable investment any person can make. ----- About the author: Jim Sullivan is a hypnotherapist specialising in confidence, self esteem and stress management. He may be contacted via the Confidence Club website
Offpeak Hours Going Out to a Restaurant with Kids Dining in a restaurant with kids can be very enervating and embarrasing. Not only that you have to desperately try and keep your wiggling toddler seated and silent, you also have to manage the disapproving looks from other (non-parent) guests. The root problem here is again boredom. So before you decide to eat out, observe your child's mood. If it's having a bad day and is getting on your nerves already, better cancel the whole thing. It wouldn't be worth it anyway. Consider an expedition to the jungles of Africa. Would you go with just picking your jacket and car keys? This is something similar, going out with kids requires preparation. Bringing toys is generally a good idea. Some "family-friendly" restaurants supply toys, but you don't know what they've been through already, so having your own stuff gives you some of a security if you're very concerned with hygiene. Since the "playground" in a restaurant is rather limited, avoid bringing toys that require mobility, like remote-controlled cars or balls. Coloring books, crayons and paper, story books or dolls / action figures can also be used while seated. But be careful with pencils and especially crayons, they require a certain amount of observation, otherwise you end up with eaten painting equipment and modern art on the white tablecloth. It can also be a good idea to buy some cheap toys and prepare a "surprise bag". That will keep the child excited - they learn the connection between "restaurant" and "new toys" astonishingly quickly. And you can connect the gift with some blackmailing if you threaten to withhold the bag in case of bad behaviour. Going to a restaurant should be something special. Making it an event for both you and your child keeps the latter excited and interested. So also don't insist too much when older children show resistance to go out. If they absolutely don't want to, don't force them. That'll spare you some nasty experiences. If it's not McDonald's where you're going, make sure to have a table reserved. Especially on crowded days it's a good idea to be early so you don't have to wait for your food too long. In case your child is choosy with food, better bring some of his/her favourite so you can provide at least a snack if the ordered meal is not accepted. Whatever comes, as much as possible make it a joyful experience. A spilled water or some scattered food won't hurt anyone, so take it easy. It's just a kid! ----- About the author: Brigette Meier is an occassional author for http://www.e-nterests.com - visit the site for more interesting articles.
Co-Op Ads
Is your ad out yet?
Classifieds and co-op ads are now listed on our Ad Board. The board will be refreshed every issue with a new batch of ads.
Over Coffee
Readers’ Say
Michael Dodd wrote, “You guys have got it down-pat! Keep publishing that great reading!” Thanks, Michael.
Psst, tell me what you think of Minute Chaser. Like it? Find it useful and interesting? Got something you’d like to see here? Suggestions for improvement?
Send in your constructive feedback, your 3 line-by-60 character ad and instantly become a Featured Sponsor FREE.
Just be a Minute Chaser subscriber to submit your ad. Only one ad per subscriber please.
Come on, send ‘em in quick. |
IN THIS ISSUE Editor’s Scribbles Modern Living Relaxation Offpeak Hours Going Out to a Restaurant with Kids Ad Board Over Coffee Be our Featured Sponsor FREE !
You are receiving this publication because you gave express direct consent when you subscribed to Minute Chaser Ezine either through a website, an ezine, a co-op, or by placing your ad with us. By subscribing, you agree to accept in-house and third-party advertising in our publication.
This issue may be FREELY distributed to friends, colleagues and discussion lists as long as the *entire issue* is included.
Reading a friend's copy of this ezine? Don’t count on your friend remembering. Sign up for your own copy - it’s free!
QUICK LINKS
Like this ezine design?
I’d love to hear from you Send me your questions, suggestions, feedback.
Got something to share? A tip? An idea? An experience? Send it in with your web link if you have one.
Where in the world are you? Share with us something special about who you are or what you do. Send it in with your web link if you have one.
Enjoy this ezine? Vote for us at the Cumuli Ezine Finder.
Manage Your Subscription
To update your email address, or to unsubscribe, please use the link in the email that brought you to this page.
|
||
|
Thanks for making Minute Chaser a part of your busy day ! |
|||
|
Advertising Disclaimer: Minute Chaser Ezine neither represents or endorses the accuracy or reliability of any of the advertisements above or the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any ad. While all articles have been selected for their content, the publishing of such articles within this ezine does NOT constitute a recommendation or endorsement of the products/services mentioned within those articles. We strongly encourage you to do your own due diligence before responding to any offer. |
|||
|
Issue 0504-08. Copyright 2004-2005 Minute Chaser Ezine. All rights reserved in all countries. |
|||
Hello fellow Chasers. A warm welcome to our current and new subscribers. Outside my window, it’s another sizzling day but it’s rained some so the later part of the day will be cooler.
. So take our refresher course today on the art of relaxation.
.
