The demands of modern American life leave many of us feeling anxious, stressed, and out of control. It seems that always there is more and more to do and less and less time to do it. And that’s not good. Such stress contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, headaches, depression, and “nervous breakdown,” to mention only a few stress-related physical and mental problems. Even backache may be brought on or worsened by a hectic lifestyle. Chiropractic doctors see such problems day in and day out. They see that the pressure cooker lives we lead keep many of us ailing with one chronic condition or another most of the time.

 

 

NEUTRALIZE STRESS 
Of course that may not be news to you. Many of us already know that stress often leads to illness. We even know that relaxation tends to neutralize the effects of stress. So why don’t we relax more often? Maybe it’s that we don’t put proper value on relaxation. Maybe we feel guilty if we’re not pursuing the almighty dollar during every waking moment. Thus, maybe we have never learned to relax and experience the ecstasy of just “being,” rather than constantly worrying, struggling and striving.

 

HERE’S HOW 
Relaxation is a learned process, mental health specialists say, but anyone can learn to do it. True relaxation (more than just sprawling in a hammock) fulfills your inherent craving for order and just “being” while you are doing.

 

Here’s the way to get started on a new relaxed way of life: 

#l – Choose activities you really enjoy.
#2 – Don’t be afraid to try something new and different.
#3 – Schedule time (preferably daily) to indulge yourself in your relaxing activities no matter what.

 

Following are a few suggestions. If not these, get started with something else you have always wanted to do. 

 

  • Check out local recreation departments, adult education programs, volunteer projects.
  • Try exercise: walking, bicycling, dancing, golfing, swimming, bowling. Gardening can be especially relaxing.
  • If you are fit enough, consider jogging, tennis, basketball, handball and squash. Any of those, after an intense workout, leaves one feeling wholesome and relaxed.
  • Mental exercises can be relaxing, too. A favorite while lying on one’s back in a quiet place is to concentrate on relaxing the muscles starting with the toes and foot and progressively moving up the body while telling the legs, pelvis, chest, arms, shoulders, and neck to relax. Try it. It works.
  • Try painting, pottery, carpentry, knitting, even cooking for fun.
  • And don’t forget a warm bath, the time-honored way to relieve stress.

 


CHIROPRACTIC HELPS RELAXATION 
You’ll find, too, that periodic chiropractic care, even when you don’t have a specific complaint, often brings on a sense of  relaxation and well-being you can’t get in any other way.

 

Ask your chiropractor to schedule regular chiropractic care for you.

 

 

IT’S UP TO YOU 
And one final comment. Nobody will hand relaxation to you on a silver platter. You will have to make the commitment that your relaxation time is at least as important as your working time. Actually, work and relaxation should complement one another for a rich and rewarding life. But it’s up to you to make the commitment for yourself. Make relaxation important. Starting today.