According to Chopra (1993), the greatest aging agent in our world is the inability to cope with stress. Here is a list of nine separate antidotes to stress:
- Laughter – is beneficial for the body and mind by countering the effects of stress. It is spontaneous and outside our conscious control.
- Exercise – stimulates neurochemicals that make you feel naturally high, conteracting the effects of stress.
- Breathing – restores the natural rhythm that is lost during periods of stress.
- Music – through full enjoyment and attention is a great antidote to stress.
- Visualization – is created through a relaxing and pleasurable experience.
- Meditation – includes breathing awareness and primordial sounds to relax the mind.
- Sleep – natural restorer of balance and a reducer of stress.
- Contact with nature – staying in contact with nature almost always reduces the level of stress one experiences in a man made environment.
- No need for control – trying to control everything is stressful and counterproductive. Relaxing and going with the flow is beneficial to restoring balance.
References
Chopra, D. (1993). Ageless Body, Timeless Minds. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press.
Cartoon by Bob Moran
