Scents To Help You Destress

Stress is one of the culprits of a manic lifestyle. Aside from work and environmental issues, personal, health and financial problems can elevate our stress level to a new height.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we must learn how to slow down, take a back seat or step back for a while to let things just flow, even without us. And one of the ways to help destress without causing a dent in our pockets is to relax our olfactory senses with the scents that help us calm and relax.


Peppermint

Peppermint or anything from the mint family has that "perk-me-up" effect to help sluggish people to get that extra boost.


Lavender

The nice scent of Lavender is associated to the feeling of contentment.  That is why, Lavender is commonly used in stress relief lotions, pillow mists and body oils. It is known to reduce cortisol levels so it is a good choice for those trying to get some sleep or relax after a long, tiring and stressful day.


Vanilla

The sweet aroma of vanilla helps relax the tired mind. I gives of that sense of peace, sweetness and everything nice to its scent. Aside from it being used in food preparation, vanilla is also a nice scent to add in your aromatherapy pot.


Rosemary

Studies show that Rosemary can help improve performance and mood. So, if you are having a bad day at school or at work, it is nice to put some rosemary oil on your aromatherapy pot, or add few drops in a tub to soak in for a warm bath. This is perfect for those who still have things to do and need to get things done. It is a great pick-me-up scent.


Lemon

Lemon or most citrus scents has the property as anti-depressant.  It is the perfect choice for mood enhancement.


Cedarwood

This scent has a woodsy and calming tone that is best for those who are sad, grieving of depressed.

Self Improvement Through Training Opportunities

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I always believe that we have to take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way because opportunity knocks only once and I don't want to miss that.

I apply that same principle in my approach to learning and development. It is something I value because I can enhance myself both personally and professionally. I know how important it is to keep learning and improving and attending trainings and seminars are just ways to do that.

My 2014 is lined up with more trainings to enhance soft skills. That is my priority this year. What are these soft skills that I aim to improve?

• Communicating skills - being able to express myself effectively and diplomatically

• Listening skills - being able to listen intensively, understand what is told and be able to show empathy

• Enhance Positive Outlook - be more optimistic in every challenging situations and issues that may come my way

• Master the art of Time Management - be able to handle my tasks and prioritize what needs to be done

• Handling Stress -  to be able to channel negative energies brought by external and internal stress into a positive energy through methods of meditation, prayers, engagement in sports and healthy lifestyle

• Ability to take in feedback and criticism constructively - be able to accept other people's feedback and criticism with an open mind and to take them as stepping stones for my own development

Going On Leave Soon

The first month of the year has proven to be a one to reckon with. My workload is so immense and testy. It is also extremely stressful and time constraint and most importantly, it has changed me to become a mini-monster in a span of 3 weeks.

My patience is wearing off and it's only January 2014! I desperately need to get away soon before I snap at someone again. One thing that peeves me is when my personality is getting affected by the stress. I don't like that because I AM NOT LIKE THAT - a big B! However, for some very unconscious reasons, people at work (and even at home) see the toxicity level of stress taking its toll on me.

That is why, I deserve a leave and I will go on one in few days. I have to get away from all the hassles, stress that I somehow drag into 2014, unknowingly and not my fault because all those stuff are never ending unless one has been accomplished.

Anyway, no time to rant and I don't want that. I should be happy. So, I'll be away for few days this February. There's won't be any activity in my blogs for several days so I can unwind and enjoy 2014 in a better perspective. I have to recharge and detox both personally and professionally. It's just too much negativity stemming from one task. And that is just ONE task. Imagine, if I have to do that singular task day in and day out, I'd probably go bonkers. Well, this is where vacation leaves come into play.

The Balancing Act of Stress and Life

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A little stress can save your life. A lot of stress can end up killing you. How do you find the balance? Learning to control your stress can be one of the most beneficial actions you can take with your life. Every person creates their own reality with what they know, feel, think, and see. Every individual creates a different version of reality for themselves. Everyone sees the world around them in different ways. Some people see the cup as half full. They see the positive side of most situations. This mindset allows them to have many friends as they continually progress themselves to take on bigger and better challenges. Those who see the cup as half empty may need some help to break out of their current situation. 

The reality of a negative person is completely different from that of a positive individual. Any person can choose to change themselves and their reality for better or worse. Companies like HeartMath help people stay on the path of growth and enlightenment by offering tools and strategies to help people stay in a state of coherence. Coherence allows a person to accept changes in their reality without reacting with stress and disharmony.

Positive and Effective Tools for Meditation

Meditation is a great tool to help you begin controlling your thoughts and emotions. However, an inexperienced person might give up on meditation quickly. It is difficult to know whether or not the strategies are working when you have little to no experience. Thankfully there are tools that allow you to see instant feedback on your current state of being. Combining meditative techniques with these tools can help you on the path to changing your reality for the better very quickly.  

Seek Help and Discover How to Control Stress

It is well known that stress causes illness. Stress can also destroy families and create rifts in important interpersonal relationships. Every individual has a choice when it comes to dealing with stress. Many cannot see a way that they could control their stress response. Make the right choice and seek out help when you’re dealing with stress-related problems. You can enjoy life stress free; check out a company like HeartMath for more information.

A Spa And Massage Retreat

If you are a career woman who juggles life between work and family like I do then you must feel tense at times. You sometimes long for a time for yourself without worrying about the mundane things in life. You wonder how to achieve this when you have a lot on your plate. It can be done so read on.

One way to do this is to seek solace and spend even just a whole day without a care in the world. A visit to the nearby spa may be one of the many ways to alleviate stress and improve well-being. Any nearby spa will do as long as it offers peaceful ambiance, private therapeutic massages, hair and nail care and luxurious body scrubs. If you have not gone to any spa yet, just search in the internet and you will find many hits on spa and massage. For example, in Florida area, you will get several hits on Gainesville massage and Gainesville spa. There are plenty of options and beautiful spas are scattered all over the US and other parts of the world. You can check out various sites and inquire the various service each spa offers.

Going to a spa and massage retreat will surely improve your mental, emotional and physical health by relieving the stress and tension your mind, body and soul have acquired in your day to day manic lifestyle.

It is a good practice to unwind every month or depending on the frequency you want and budget to release your stress. A moment of calm and relaxation will surely bring back your vitality and well-being. So, schedule a visit to the spa and give yourself a moment to recover and recharge. We owe it to ourselves to be healthy in all aspect of our life.

Stress Reduction Kit

Have you ever reached the point at work where you just want to jump out of the window? I have...countless times.

My stress level (and frustration) is so high that I almost finished my box of hypertension pills. So, I need to share this "Stress Reduction Kit" to all of you who share the same sentiments I have with work life.

I give credit to the one who created this. Brilliant! My colleague forwarded this by email so I am not really sure if my colleague created it out of frustration or was sent by email too.

Use this as required. The instruction is self-explanatory.

Out of Sync

I have been staring at this blank blogger composition page for about five minutes until it hit me. I think I am going through another "blogger's block" this time around. It is not very often that I experience this kind of mental block.

My mind seems to be out of sync lately with the enormous stress factors present in my life at the moment. I am stressed at work. The work load is overwhelming. My financial standing is not looking good despite the tight budget. I am thinking of my mom. Some people are asking for monetary help. My vacation leave is coming but I am still wondering where I will get the extra budget for that (if hubby foots the bill then at least one problem is solved...). There are just too many things going on in my head right now that I am having difficulty to focus.

I hope I snap out of this soon. It is unusual for me to get in a rut like this one. I always remind myself of the countless blessings I have in many, many form. I should be thankful, right?

I guess this is just a phase in my life. I probably need a longer vacation or a new working environment. Oh, I hope I get good news soon.

Too Tired For Anything

I am willing my fingers to type right now. I just posted earlier how stressed I was today. I felt like all my energy had been zapped. I don't know where to get more for reserve.

I don't know what is wrong today. All I know is that there are plenty of work to be done and all with a strict deadline to follow. I don't know if I have enough time to finish all the pending tasks in the office by end of the week.

I missed a decent meal today at lunch because I lost my appetite. The stress at work and my lack of energy now are like appetite suppressants. I don't feel hungry anymore. I would rather sleep after I post this than eat.

I am not sure how much longer I can take all these nonsense. To think that I am very sensible enough to put my health and welfare on the fore and yet here I am, skipping meals to give way to some deadlines! The irony...

Stressful Day

I was already stressed last Thursday. And yet again, the stress saga continues. My day in the office seemed to be taking forever. I just kept working and working. Time seemed to have stood still even if I have accomplished many tasks already. I still have plenty of things to do which were left undone.

Deadlines to meet were tight. My heart palpitated. My palms were cold and I could feel my sweat trickle down my forehead even when the air condition unit was in full blast.

I don't know how long I can still do this. The stress is wearing me out. I don't have enough "motivation" and "morale" on reserve. If those two get depleted, I am in deep doo-doo!

Again, I pray for 2013 to roll in quick so I can just decide on what to do next. Sigh...

Life Wheel - Finding Balance in Your Life

I am a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and a career woman at the same time. It is really difficult to strike a balance between family and work and my social life as well. I sometimes feel in a quagmire and wish that I can replicate myself so I can do everything and be with everyone all at the same time.

Although I know what my priorities in life are and my family definitely tops that. There are moments where I am caught in a middle because I have to deliver to my career and to my personal life as well. It is in those moments where I pause and take a step back so I can have a broader view of what my life has become.

I found this site which I want to share to everyone because it is informative and an eye-opener. The Wheel of Life is commonly used by life coaches and it is also used by some companies to aid their employees having trouble balancing their work and personal life.

Here's the site to visit: Mindtools.com

The Art of Meditation

In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, do we still find time to focus on our inner "self" and give calm and order to a chaotic life? Well, I asked myself that because my stress level has reached its peak lately. I have been having upset stomach for days on end; my hyper-acidity is causing havoc again; and my back is painful. A lot of factors have been contributing to all these nuisances and I just want to have a time out.

I haven't meditated for a long time now. I almost forgot how. But I am a creature of habit so recalling how I used to meditate in times like this comes back easily because it is already inherent to me.

When escaping physically seems to be an impossible feat to achieve, just have a time out and meditate. Here's how to do it:

1. Go inside your room or a quiet place. When you live with other people and you think you will be unable to meditate with someone staring at you, just go inside your bathroom. Place a clean mat and sit there. I always do that!

2. Dim the lights or draw the curtains.

3. Use scented candles or essences if you like but make sure you don't place that next to the curtain or instead of meditating, you'll end up putting out a fire!

4. Close your eyes and visualize.

5. Do some chanting or say something over and over. My best line is always this "I am in control. I am in control..."

6. Take a deep breathe. Breathe in and out. Each time you do that, savor every breath you take like it is your last.

These work for me and I am sure there are more ways to do meditation apart from what I have shared. Try it and you'll be amazed by the peace that will permeate your life after that.