Articles

Many people are unhappy with something about themselves Do you love your body? Most people would say that they like their bodies, but do not like their nose, tummy, cellulite or arms. Almost everyone has some hang-up about their body. Yes, even the ‘flawless’ models staring happily at you from magazine covers fret about their body parts. The increase in the number of cosmetic surgeries, breast enhancements and nose jobs all but confirm this. The way you think about your body has a great bearing on how you look, and the message you send across to the world. If you feel good and confident, then that is how people perceive you, and the reverse is also true. Here are some practical tips for a better body image: STOP BEING HYPERCRITICAL   Don’t pick at your flaws all the time. Instead, learn to love yourself as a whole. Be more connected to your body. Take a walk and feel your body in motion. Appreciate how strong and dynamic your body is. BE REALISTIC Know what you can change and...

Deep Breathing, PMR and the Relaxation Response   Physical relaxation techniques are as effective as mental techniques in reducing stress. In fact, the best relaxation is achieved by using physical and mental techniques together.   These three useful physical relaxation techniques can help you reduce muscle tension and manage the effects of the fight-or-flight response on your body. This is particularly important if you need to think clearly and perform precisely when you are under pressure.   The techniques we will look at are Deep Breathing, Progressive Muscular Relaxation and “The Relaxation Response”. Deep Breathing   Deep breathing is a simple, but very effective, method of relaxation. It is a core component of everything from the "take ten deep breaths" approach to calming someone down, right through to yoga relaxation and Zen meditation. It works well in conjunction with other relaxation techniques such as Progressive Muscular Relaxation, relaxation imagery...