Stress Reducing Tips

Self Massage

Massaging your temples, neck, shoulders, face or hands is a simple, effective technique that can be easily incorporated into your day at the office or at home.  At home try massaging your feet (reflexology) or better yet, have your partner or children massage them for you. 

Note: Treat yourself to a relaxing form of bodywork & you’ll be amazed at the results.  You deserve it!

**Complementary Services does not replace standard medical practices.**
 

Attitude

It’s important that you feel you deserve to relax, be pampered, re-energize and to do the things you love to do.

Most North Americans work hard all day and evening. By giving yourself a break of at least 30 minutes or more daily, you can improve your health significantly.    Suggestions:  Relax in a bath with candlelight, read a book, spend time doing your favorite hobby, get a massage, meditate.

**Complementary Services does not replace standard medical practices.**

Yoga

      Benefits: Yoga exercises relax tense muscles and re-energize the body.

Exercise does not need to be hard.  If you do not like hard physical exercise or feel too exhausted at the end of your day to do a lot of physical exercise here is an alternative: 

The Yoga style of exercise involves slow, stretching movements and breathing techniques that relax tense muscles and re-energizes the body. Some Yoga instruction involves meditation as well as exercises.

Sign up for a yoga class or buy a book or video on yoga and practice by yourself at  home.

**Complementary Services does not replace standard medical practices.**

Eye Exercise

      Benefits: Reduces eye strain and headaches relating to eye strain. 

Taking an eye break is important especially if you work on a computer all day. Try this simple exercise every hour or as often as you remember.

Your head remains still and straight throughout the exercise. Move only your eyes.

1.  Look forward and as far away as possible for 5 seconds.

2.  Moving only your eyes, look to the right as far as possible for 5 seconds. 

3.  Now look to the left as far as possible for 5 seconds.

4.  Again, moving only your eyes, look up for 5 seconds.

5.  Now look down for 5 seconds.

6.  To end, close your eyes for 10 to 15 seconds allowing them to relax.

**Complementary Services does not replace standard medical practices.**

Echinacea Herbal Remedy

Cold & Flu Season

 Benefits of Echinacea: Assists your immune system  

To assist your immune system during the cold and flu season take Echinacea for 5 days each month (do not take on an ongoing basis). At the onset of a cold or flu take Echinacea every couple of hours for the first day or two. 

Note: Ensure the product you are taking has a high quantity and quality of Echinacea (not all supplements are made equal). 

**Complementary Services does not replace standard medical practices.**

Aromatherapy

Benefits of Lavender

Reduces stress, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, skin conditions, asthma 

      Here are a few simple ways to use the essential oil of lavender:

  • Add 5 or 6 drops in a bath
  • Add 5 or 6 drops to a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil or a lotion and rub on your temples or back of the neck occasionally throughout the day 
  • Put 2 or 3 drops on a handkerchief and inhale from time to time
  • To improve sleep put 2 or 3 drops on a kleenex and tuck into your pillow

Note: A high quality of essential oil should be used.

**Complementary Services does not replace standard medical practices.**

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