Archive for February, 2009
Job Interview Tips
Posted by: | CommentsGone are the days when the job seeker has to write the handwritten application letter to earn that job interview. In this age of computers and cyber technology, most employers prefer applicants who apply online, and more job seekers are looking to the net for their job opportunities. But one thing remains the same – the body language of the applicant during job interviews and how they make the first impression as they step inside that interview room.
Your Type of Person
Based on your body language, an interviewer may know whether you are confident or not, if you are the shy type or the friendly type, if you are a loner or a team player, or even if you are telling the truth or not. They can tell if you are capable of handling the job, if you are devoted, or if you’re someone who can get along with other employees. Based on their questions, the interviewer will not only pay attention to what you say, but also on how you say it. The interviewer generally will find responses from you that match their qualifications. How you can decode the body language of your interviewer in relation to your own body language will determine the thin line if you get that job or not.
Be Punctual
This is the most important aspect of the job interview – arriving on time. The job interview is deemed as a very important appointment, and being late is a cardinal crime with gravity that may cause you to lose that job opportunity. Your attitude regarding time will send the wrong messages to the employer, and will tell a lot about your lack of professionalism. Being stuck in traffic is a very lame and downright unforgivable excuse. It is better to be early by one hour than to be a minute late.
The First Encounter
When the interviewer comes to the room to meet you, do not offer your hand for a handshake unless the interviewer offers his hand. Shake hands firmly, but do not squeeze. Maintain eye contact.
Proper Body Posture
Body posture is important during job interviews and you can adopt the following stance. At the beginning of the interview, sit up straight in your chair, with your back leaning against the back of the chair. Do not slouch or move sideways in your chair because it might be perceived by the interviewer as a lack of interest or boredom. On the other hand, sitting on the edge of your chair can impart a message that you are a little nervous and that you feel uneasy with the situation.
When the interviewer says something, it is advisable to lean forward a little. This shows interest and attention in what the interviewer is saying. You can tilt your head a little to show that you are listening closely.
Proper Gestures
Do not cross your arms because this might be perceived as a defensive move. Just place your hands loosely on your lap or just put them on the armrest of your chair. By doing this, you will also be able to make hand movements to support what you are saying.
While speaking, you may nod your head occasionally to expound on a subject or to give more meaning to what you are saying. Hand movements can also help to spice up the conversation. The interviewer would think that you are comfortable with the interview process if you make hand gestures.
Too much hand movements at the beginning of the interview may not be a good idea. The proper way is to add them gradually throughout the interview.
Be aware of your interviewer’s hand movements as well. If they use their hands a lot to make a point or to clarify something, you can do the same thing as well (Remember mirroring?). When they don’t make many movements, do the same thing as them. It is important to adjust your gestures to that of the interviewer to establish rapport.
Be alert to unintentional gestures that you may make sometimes due to tension. Some of the acts that may irritate the interviewer could include:
Tapping your fingers across the desk.
Shuffling your feet.
Biting your nails.
Toying with a pen.
The Panel Interview
Being interviewed by one person could be a piece of cake for many. But being interviewed by a group could be a confusing ordeal, especially when it comes to who you should look at during the interview.
It is important to maintain eye contact with all the interviewers at an equal extent. By looking uniformly at them, you will establish their trust and you will gain composure throughout the interview process.
When one of the interview partners asks or says something, maintain eye contact with him until he ceases speaking. This will indicate that you’re listening attentively. While he is speaking, he may also look at the other interviewers. When he looks at you again, you can nod your head to encourage him to continue speaking.
When you answer a question, look first at the one who asked. But while you are answering, you should take turns looking at each of the other interviewers as well. You should direct yourself again to the person who asked the question when you want to prove a point, when you want to emphasize something, and when you are done answering.
Body Language of Your Interviewers
Observing the body language of your interviewers is as important as being aware of your own body movements. The body gestures of your interviewers can give you an indication of how well you are coming across to them. This can serve as a signal to change your approach at an early stage before they give you the thumbs down.
For example, when you did something that displeases the interviewers, they will show their annoyance through body language. When they sigh, shake their heads, look down, or fold their arms and lean back, you can take this as a sign of discontentment or irritability. The interviewers might not consciously notice that they’re exhibiting their body movements at first, so you still have a chance to shift your strategy.
It’s Okay to be Nervous
Knowing how to act confidently using body language can increase your chances of passing the interview. You can utilize this knowledge to conceal your anxiety a little, but this is something you shouldn’t worry about too much. Many applicants are tensed during an interview, and they would not want to let the interviewer know about their inner feelings. However, it is completely understandable to be nervous at this stage. It is completely normal.
Your nervousness may even indicate how valuable getting this job is to you. If you weren’t nervous, and you act like a happy-go-lucky person, you might be perceived as someone who is not very interested in the job.
The interview not only functions as a way of determining who among the applicants is most capable of performing the job well, but it is also a means of allowing the interviewer to get to know more about the applicants. It’s a first encounter with an individual that you might soon work together with. If that’s the case, then the interviewer (who could be your boss) should actually feel the same way as you are. Nervousness often accompanies excitement.
Your Body Language In Business
Posted by: | CommentsStudies in Psychology tell us that the effect you have on others depends on what you say from the mouth (7%), the manner in which you say it (38%), and by your body language (55%). In addition, how you sound also imparts a message, so 93% of emotion is also conveyed without saying the actual words.
This is also true in selling. In the real world, we sell tangible items and also ideas. A concise way on how we can sell effectively is by simply using that old but very powerful arsenal known as body language.
When you sell, you can use postures, facial expressions, gestures, mannerisms, and your physical appearance to close the sale successfully. Most customers tend to buy when triggered by their senses. The key here is to do everything you can to positively affect their senses.
Most people believed the image projected by Saint Mother Theresa is a positive image. She used her personality to convey a constant image of holiness and sincerity. We bought the idea of her image.
Non-verbal communication also connotes that a man of few words is a man of credibility. It’s often not what you say that influences others; it’s what you don’t say. The signals that you impart using body movements suggest comprehension, disposition, morality, and compassion.
In selling, the instant you meet a target client, he is already examining you based on your image and perception in a span of ten seconds or less. This is a crucial moment in selling, as his first impression of you will definitely make a permanent mark.
Whether you make or break a sale can literally depend on the non-verbal signals that you send during this crucial first contact. It’s a must for readers of this book to understand the facets of body language especially in selling. Americans, for example, are somewhat categorized as one of the best in reading body language, because they espouse thousands of non-verbal signs. This ability makes them formidable negotiators.
In addition, women are generally considered to be more adept to body language than men because of their natural built-in instincts. Now you know the secret why some women are more successful than men in the business or professional field.
As a rule of thumb, body language is being used most of the time all over the world. The most common example is a nodding head (meaning “yes”).
But it is not necessarily the case every time. For example, shaking legs might connote that a person is nervous, while it may just be a person’s natural behavior. A person’s eyes could evade you because he’s hiding something, or it could also mean that he’s extremely shy.
Given these intricacies, what’s important is to analyze what the message really is. You can do it by looking at patterns. Look out for groups of signals that may have the same meaning in relation to the verbal expressions, and also in cognizance to the circumstances.
Once you have traced the patterns, it is easier to understand body language. It will therefore help you make a sale.
Written below are some body language techniques to help make your sales sizzle:
You can immediately analyze a person’s personality by studying his style in shaking hands. An assertive person holds your hand firmly when you shake his hand. On the other hand, an individual with little or no confidence often gives a frail handshake. A person who wants to win your trust would usually shake your hand with his other hand covering the shake or holding your elbow. Adopt a handshake that is firm, yet not crushing. Convey confidence and professionalism, not dominance.
Posture is another aspect of body language. A slouching shoulder with your eyes looking on the ground can indicate lack of interest. Standing straight with your weight balanced on each foot gives you a more assured and relaxed look. Always maintain a straight body, whether you’re standing or sitting.
Match the straight open posture with a genuine facial expression. Dispose of the sunglasses. The client may think that you are hiding something, as he can’t see through your eyes. When he looks straight in your eyes, he can tell if you are lying, so be transparent. Lay down your cards and throw the shades away. But be sure to avoid piercing looks. The client might get intimidated.
When doing sales calls and presentations, be sure to use sincere and open movements all the time. Do not cross your arms, as this can ruin the trust of your potential customer. The outward and upward gestures of your hands are recommendable. If you lean back on a chair and place your hands at the back of your head, it may drive your clients away as this is a sure sign of arrogance and a false sense of confidence. Meanwhile, if you place your hands on your waists, you are exuding positive confidence.
“Don’t point.” Pointing at a client is equivalent to death wish in selling. It is as if you’re waving your sales opportunity goodbye. Pointing is an aggressive act that can be interpreted as hostility, so throw this gesture out the window if you really want to sell.
In sales, here are signs that you are open for negotiations and are willing to compromise. Unbuttoning your jacket means you are ready to talk and to listen to a counter offer. Removing your jacket or rolling your sleeves up is a very good sign for the client, as this means you are ready to decide or to give in to the final price.
You, as the seller, may also use body language as a tool to recognize and counteract any potential objections by the client. The usual scenarios include the following:
If the client’s arms are crossed, it means he is disinterested. Use counter measures like positive movements to cause them to uncross their arms, and for you to begin the sales approach. When his arms and legs are uncrossed, and his hands are open, this is the best scenario, as they are open to your ideas…and a sale is more likely to happen.
Another good sales scenario is when the client mimics your gestures like when you fix your hair and the client follows. It shows he is very receptive to your ideas and open to buy your idea or product. If this is the case, throw all your barrage of features and benefits, and close the sale! This point is crucial as you can make or break the sale.
If the client covers his mouth, touches his nose, or the part near the eye, there’s a probability that you are losing the sale. Something you said or did might have discouraged him. But don’t despair. Do the selling process again; but this time, do it differently. Reassure the client that he is getting a great deal and encourage him to open up and share ideas. Open your palms and unconsciously let him see you occasionally putting your palm to your chest (this signifies honesty). Then try to reach that positive sales atmosphere again and close the sale.
Always be enthusiastic. If you truly believe in the high quality of your product or service, other people will be positively affected by your enthusiasm. Body movements can convince prospects to become believers in what you are offering.
Body Language in Negotiations
Posted by: | CommentsIn almost every point in your life, you unconsciously do the art of negotiations. From haggling with your favorite flea market sales lady, to lobbying for a well-deserved increase from your boss, negotiations are being made daily in your life. And would you believe almost all aspects of the negotiation process involves body language?
In terms of the actual negotiation in business, body language is a very important aspect. Reading body movements of your counterparts and making the right gestures may spell the difference between success and failure in the negotiation process.
Early Signs
The first step in using body language in a negotiation begins the moment you walk into the negotiation room. Be keen in observing their body language by focusing on the whole body – the head, arms, hands, chest, tummy, legs and feet. If you achieve this, you will be able to listen better. You will also be more perceptive in reading their body language.
Personal Space in Negotiations
In the negotiating table, each person creates his own personal space, his own territory. By business practice, people of higher status (e.g. president of a company) command more personal space, and are usually conferred by other people in the negotiating table.
For example, the authority over the most dominant chair (usually the head of the table) is the apparent symbol of power. If this person occupies the dominant chair, a good negotiator can repel this by strategic seating arrangement of teams or allies in the negotiating table. You may sit in a way that you surround that person, or any seating arrangement where you may comfortably get leverage.
First Impressions Last
In the negotiating table, the first move is the most crucial. Just like in the game of chess, if you play the white piece, you get the built-in advantage because you draw first blood, and the opponent’s next move and game plan for that matter is dependent on that crucial first move.
So make a good, firm, and calculated move. Begin with a positive body language. Radiate your enthusiasm. In a meeting for example, look in the other person’s eyes with sincerity. Your eyes are the windows to your soul. If you can’t maintain eye contact, they might think you’re hiding something or you’re not sincere.
Give a solid handshake. Hold the hand firmly but don’t squeeze it. A common fallacy is that we should squeeze the hand during this monumental time of the handshake. This is certainly not advisable.
Press the hand one time while looking the person straight in the eye. Pressing the hand once or twice may indicate excitement or vitality, but anything more than that can make the other person uneasy.
Put Your Body Language Know-how to Use
During the negotiation process, observe their gestures. In the first chapter, you were taught how to recognize if people are interested in what you are saying, if they are casting doubts on you, if they are more open to accept your proposal, and even when they are lying.
Be alert in recognizing these signals. Moreover, also be aware of your own actions. You might be exhibiting signs of nervousness without you knowing it, and your counterparts (who might also know body language) might take advantage of the circumstances.
Mirroring
Posted by: | CommentsWho would you rather be with? Your best friend who loves pizza as much as you do, who’s crazy about basketball like you are, who watches the same programs on TV as you; or your next-door neighbor who’s a vegetarian, hates sports, and watches those shows that will bore you to dreamland?
The answer is obvious. You would want to be around people who have the same behaviors, attitudes, and values as yours.
Birds of the same feather flock together.
Bookworms like each other’s company because they share a common bond – their love for books. Basketball fanatics flock together because they can RELATE to each other’s interests and ideas.
If you really want someone to like and trust you, you’ve got to exhibit the same qualities as that person. And there’s no better way to do this than by using body language. Here’s how it goes:
Match their facial expressions, gestures, posture, speech, styles, actions, breathing patterns, values and beliefs. Put yourself in their shoes. In other words, BE THEM.
By doing this, you are also matching their way of thinking. You may easily adapt to their inner thoughts and views.
You may also do some crossover matching. For example, you talk at the same rate as their breathing. Or you can scratch your chin every time their eyes blink. Get the idea?
Be genuinely interested and curious with everything you can find out about them. Discover their attitude. Know their life story.
This is what we call mirroring.
But mirroring should not be confused with mimicry. You should act with courtesy and caution. Never let the person you’re mirroring be aware of what you’re doing. Just imagine acting out shamelessly what the other person is doing. Every time he stands, you stand. When he scratches his head, you also scratch your head. That would be insulting. Never let the person you’re mirroring have any chance to think that you are mocking him.
Your main objective should be to influence the subconscious. Even if a person is not aware that you’re mirroring him, his subconscious mind realizes it.
The person will subconsciously be at ease when you duplicate his manners indirectly. He will feel very comfortable if you’re both on the same level.
Correspond with Their Moods
If a person you’re mirroring have lots of problems, don’t come to him in a joyous mood and say, “Don’t worry about it. Let’s watch a movie so that you’ll forget about whatever’s bugging you.”
He’s in a foul mood. He expects you to feel for him, to empathize with him. Match his disposition first, then say something like, “I feel bad for you. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.” All he wants right now is to be with someone who has the same mood as he has.
A word of warning though. If someone has some really big emotional problems, and you mirror that person, you run the risk of actually absorbing his emotions. So do this activity in a low-risk situation.
Developing Rapport
The ultimate goal of mirroring is to build rapport. It’s the time when you and the people you’re mirroring feel so close and in synch with each other that you feel like you’ve known each other for years.
So how would you know if you’ve built rapport?
Mirror them. Match whatever characteristic, value, or behavior they possess that you would like to copy.
After some time, touch your nose or cross your legs. If they do the same thing, mission accomplished! You’ve already lowered their defenses to the point where they are more receptive to your suggestions.
You can even build rapport even if a person you’re mirroring is far away. Here’s how to do it:
Just relax. Clear your mind of all negative thoughts and create a bond by focusing on the entire body of the person you wish to mirror. Make his image so real and vivid.
Use your subconscious to enter his world. Feel the connection. Give out positive projections uniting his entire persona into yours.
Think of what he may be doing at the moment. Then replicate his actions, behaviors, and principles.
With this exercise, you can even emulate your role models. Let’s say you want to be as successful as your boss who is always traveling around the world.
Do the above exercise and you’ll soon see some astounding results.
Reading the Signs
Posted by: | CommentsWe use body language everyday in our lives to get our message across, to achieve positive feedback in our lives, and to get whatever we want. We use this language all the time, but we may not be aware of it. Moreover, this language doesn’t only involve the mouth but the whole body as well.
Could you even imagine the awesome power of applying it? With it, you’ll be able to interpret other people’s inner emotions even if they’re not directly expressing it. You’ll also be able to modify your behavior to fit the situation. You’ll get them to like and trust you. What words cannot do, body language can.
In this chapter, we shall explore the various body gestures or movements conveyed by people in different scenarios. Let’s begin.
Suggesting Interest
It is important to know if people are interested in what you are saying; otherwise, you are just wasting your time.
Just imagine you are a chemistry teacher. You have always been interested in chemistry, so you assume that your students feel the same way as you do. But are they really interested? Are your teaching methods good enough to arouse their interest? Unless you can recognize the different body signals your students are conveying, you would never know how they are adapting to the subject matter. And unless you find out if staring continuously at you without blinking the eyes is a sign of interest or an indication of being in dreamland, you simply could not take the necessary steps to adjust to their learning needs.
Here are some of the movements exhibited by people who are interested in what you are saying:
They maintain eye contact more than 60% of the time. The more wide-opened the eyes are, the more interested the person is. In fact, a person maintains eye contact more when listening than when talking.
Their heads are inclined forward.
They are nodding their heads. Such action means that they’re agreeing with you. That means they’re attentive and listening.
Their feet are pointing towards you.
They smile frequently. But take note, not all smiles convey the same feeling. An oblong smile is not genuine. It is used to show courtesy, but not necessarily happiness or friendliness. The lips are withheld completely back from the upper and lower teeth, forming the oblong shape. This is usually the smile that many people exhibit when they feign to enjoy a lame joke.
Indications That They’re More Open to Agree with You
When you were a young child, have you ever tried to decode what your parents’ facial expressions mean when you ask them to buy you a new toy or to take you to Disneyland? A frown would likely be a “No!” But a nod would make you jump with joy. As you grow older, it has become a necessity to be able to detect if other people will agree with your decision or proposal. This is an ability that will truly help negotiators, employees, and even lovers to succeed in their ventures because they would be able to change their approach early enough to adjust to a specific situation.
There are certain hints to indicate if people are more receptive in accepting your ideas. Some of these are:
- Their hands are flat on the table.
Their palms are open.
If they’re stroking their chin, they’re thinking. They may agree with you after careful evaluation.
Their heads are inclined forward.
They are nodding their heads.
Their legs are spaced out from each other.
They smile frequently.
They unbutton their jackets. This indicates friendliness and willingness to collaborate with you.
Their hands are open. This also indicates genuineness.
They place their hands in their chest. This signifies openness and conveys sincerity, honesty, or dedication. However, a woman putting her hands in her breast is a defensive position and may indicate that she is surprised or astonished.
Indications That They are Thinking
People think all the time. But different individuals make different body movements based on the type and intensity of their thinking. Some of their actions are written below:
They’re stroking their chin. This means they are assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal/idea being presented.
They take their glasses off, after which they may either (1) clean them, or (2) put the tip of the frame in their mouth. They are buying themselves some time to think things over. A frame in the mouth would also likely indicate that they need more details and they are willing to listen.
They are pinching the bridge of the nose most likely with eyes closed. People doing this are engaged in very deep thought. They may be involved in a difficult situation, where they are aware of the consequences that may occur as a result of making crucial decisions.
They put a palm below the chin, index finger pointed and extended along the cheek, while other fingers placed beneath the mouth. This gesture more likely indicates thoughts that are criticizing or antagonizing other people.
They walk with the head down and hands behind the back. People who walk this way are probably worried about their problems, and they are thinking of ways to solve them.
Reading these signs can tell you many more things about other people’s reaction when you are talking to them.
Hope this helps!
Facts About Chakra
Posted by: | CommentsChakra awakening is highly a debatable topic, with two distinctly different schools of thought. The answer could be, “Yes” or “No”, depending upon which school of thought you are trained in.
Firstly, let’s cover the side that would say, “Yes” to helping you share the experience of Chakra awakening. There is no shortage of detailed information, made available by enlightened Yoga enthusiasts like Anodea Judith.
Anodea Judith has made a Chakra balancing kit available, which gives a tour of the seven main Chakra system, detailed exercises, meditations, a workbook, and the path to Chakra awakening. She also has more books available, confers with other enlightened Yoga enthusiasts, and teaches workshops on this very subject.
There are many other books and CD’s on this subject by a variety of knowledgeable authors and enlightened Yoga practitioners. All of this information is easy for the public to “get their hands on.” So, here is a school of thought that believes this information should be shared and has gone out of its way to mass produce this information.
On the other hand, some Yoga teachers do not want the negative and positive qualities, within each Chakra, to be casually explored by students, without a competent Yoga teacher present. This is with the student’s safety in mind.
Furthermore, the amount of previous Yoga experience a student has is a factor in being able to control emotions, such as fear, lust, anger, and depression that can come boiling to the surface as a result of a Chakra awakening.
When, or if, a student is ready for Chakra awakening, should be determined by the teacher; this is not for every student. Some students put pressure on themselves, which may lead to anxiety, causing negative qualities of the Chakras to surface, during an awakening.
In summary: One of the results of steady Yoga training is that we can get a better handle on our emotions than most. We also realize that we are not enlightened or perfect all the time. If you want to experience Chakra awakening with an enlightened Yoga enthusiast, you should seek out a competent Yoga teacher, who is willing to help you.
You could also get similar guidance from a Reiki teacher or Reiki master. Reiki teachers are very familiar with the Chakra system and very helpful. If it is not possible to work with a Reiki master, and you have been regularly practicing Yoga for at least two years, the Chakra balancing kit, I mentioned above, gives you step-by-step guidance toward awakening the Chakras.
Lastly, this is not a race, and please don’t put pressure on yourself toward self-perfection.
Christian Yoga
Posted by: | CommentsThere is an interesting article in the September 5th issue of Time magazine. This particular article covers a spectrum of opinions about mixing Christianity with Yoga. Even, if you don’t agree with a single opinion, it’s a good read, as long as you remain objective.
Over the course of time, I have been lucky enough to teach, or practice, with someone from every known religious denomination; so the statement by a Professor Tiwari at the Hindu University of America, where he states that, ”Yoga is Hinduism,” is surprising, coming from a scholar. Possibly, this statement was taken out of context, but fundamentalism exists, to a degree, in every form of religion.
If some Christians want to practice Yoga to make a closer connection to God, who are any of us to criticize it? Isn’t one of Yoga’s purposes, the union of self with a Supreme Being? So what is the big deal?
Truthfully, many fundamentalists are all about division – keeping the masses divided, at war with each other, and preferably, in a “holy war.” They fear the unity of mankind, letting go of power, and world peace. They don’t want to loosen their grip on their followers, so they squeeze a little more.
So if a Christian group wants to practice “Son Salutations”, or “PraiseMoves,” give them a break. Yoga is practiced in sectarian atmospheres by a variety of different religions. Nobody has a monopoly on Yoga. Yoga is a complete health maintenance system for mind, body, and spirit.
There is a type of Yoga for everyone, and some people want a little more spiritual flavor than others. Since Yoga has been around for at least 5,000 years, there is a very big variety to choose from.
As for skeptics who “point the finger” at each other – “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone…” It might be best if we all practice a little more mindfulness, and loving kindness, before we decide to criticize things we don’t understand.
Yoga is “out of the bag.” It is no longer practiced by a particular group. Therefore, Yoga is a public treasure, and not a genie that we will confine to a bottle. No matter how many people try to patent, or copyright, Yoga, it will be practiced within every corner of the earth.
So, please read the article in Time magazine and enjoy it, but take the time to remain objective. Recognize motives and words for their hidden agenda. Most of all, remain in good relations with your fellow man.
The Importance Of Exercising Regularly
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the ways the mind gains more knowledge and information is through reading. In the same manner, the physical body gains more benefits through exercises.
Exercise is indispensable. A body that is exercised often can be likened to a well-oiled machine or engine. Exercise stretches the body’s physical limitations to newer and broader boundaries. Exercises can improve ranges or limitations of movements in the body. Gradual increase in physical exertion brings a person to greater heights of good health; and this will result to less anxiety attacks.
The external results of exercise are obvious. Figuratively, it makes the body look fit while toning the muscles and body mass. Subconsciously under this condition, you become more confident with yourself.
Internally, the vital organs become more vigorous, thereby increasing the metabolic rate. In a possible way, due to this increased vigor, you can feel a more efficient delivery of nutrients to different parts of the body. It also contributes to the beneficial excretion of wastes, residues, and toxins from the body.
During and after an exercise, you can observe the similarities that an exercise delivers compared to an anxiety feeling. Increased bodily sensations and signs like sweating, rapid breathing, and heightened heartbeat rate are common for both. With this in mind, you can deduce your ability to be able to handle anxieties in the same way physical exercise is handled. Whenever you have a panic attack, just remember how you are feeling and adapting when you’re exercising. You can then take that emotion and apply it to overcome your anxiety.
To those with a history of respiratory or heart ailments, a go-signal from the doctor is a necessary requisite.
It isn’t difficult to start a regimen of exercise. Walking (casual or brisk), jogging, or running, which ever the person prefers, are some of the choices. Slightly sophisticated exercises with simple machines like biking, roller skating, and skate boarding can bring some fun alongside the benefits. For those who prefer to stay indoors, owning machines that simulate walking, jogging, or running is ideal. You may prefer going to the gym for a workout, and to the beach or swimming pool for a swim. If you are to choose between a beach (even for just a walk) and a pool, take the beach. A lot of people with respiratory ailments attest that aside from the exercises obtained by swimming or walking along the beach, the benefit of sea breeze to the respiratory system especially in the early morning, is astounding. This is probably the reason why, aside from swimming, houses along beach lines or seashores are the favorite vacation sites of many people.
Participating in sport activities as a group is not only beneficial to the physique but also in socializing with others.
All these can aid to relieve life’s stresses, improve health condition, and cultivate a positive attitude.
How to Exercise
Before exercising, warm up and start slow before accelerating to your up and desired pace. Duration of exercise is based on your own capacity or doctor’s recommendation. Keep going for as long as you are comfortably able. Rest a while when needed, then go on again. This way, you can experience and determine gradual successions of physical exertion. Increase the resistance on the next exercise session if possible. Remember to drink water or fluids prior to, in between (if possible), and after each exercise.
Exercise is definitely and undoubtedly one of the best ways to lessen or prevent anxiety. Exercise will remain as an indispensable tool not only in overcoming anxiety, but also in the over all context of maintaining a healthy body.
There is no better description about exercise than this quote by Dr. Robert Butler who states: “If exercise could be packed into a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation.”
Proper Diet For a Stress Free Life
Posted by: | CommentsPhysical condition and mental attitude are directly linked to the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. Both are equally important. The physical side is influenced by the mental side and vice versa. When one of the two is weak, difficulties ensue. This is the reason why one’s physique must be healthy with a positive mental disposition. This condition is called for not only to cure anxiety, but also in almost all other situations in life to handle whatever is thrown along the way.
This chapter shall touch on physical wellness related to diet. Before anything else, here’s a friendly reminder: “Take things in moderation. Even good things when taken in excessive amounts can be bad.” Words to these effects have been part of my attitude in life. I find it applicable in almost every activity I engage in.
Working just enough hours a day is a healthy attitude. Additional work may still be reasonably good like doing overtime work for a few hours and some days of the week. But excessive overtime work like working the whole night over just to finish a job can be very disturbing to one’s health. It may be healthy for the pocket, but not for the body.
Engaging in activities to the extreme may occasionally be tolerable; but to increase its frequency can be disadvantageous.
Taking vitamin supplements is a good thing, but not in excessive quantities. Vitamin A, for example, is good for our body in a lot of ways; but too much of it can be toxic.
There is almost always a range of tolerable limits for a lot of things, whether good or bad. Just do not stretch them over the limits, especially with increased frequency.
What is being pointed here is not a picture of the bad side of good things, but rather the bad habits some people do to good things. What is good will remain good as long as it is not abused.
Some people on a diet regimen tend to bribe the good stuffs to extreme levels. Again, a good thing will always be good. It’s the way the thing is treated that makes it turn otherwise.
The Importance of Water
Aside from the air we breathe, water is one of the primary sources of life. Water is accessible, abundant, and inexpensive, making it very versatile. It is one substance where the beauty of nature is in harmony with all living creatures.
Without doubt, water is the one of the main ingredients in relieving stress and anxiety. Even the human body is made vastly of water. Water transports and distributes nutrients, hormones, and various chemicals present in the human body to its various vital organs. It is like a delivery truck that drops off the essential substances where they should be or where the body needs them to be.
Dehydration, which is the lack of water in the body, disturbs the delivery system resulting to pile-ups and shortages. We can interpret this unbalanced flow as something similar to anxiety.
While it can be interpreted that drinking other fluids is a replacement for water, water remains to be the best choice. If a person is not accustomed to regular water intakes and prefers something else due to its taste, he can slowly and gradually increase substituting these fluids with plain water. In time, the person will choose water over any other fluids.
The flushing effect of water cleanses the body of toxins, so it is vitally important to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. The more you perspire, the more water you should drink.
If one has to discover life on another planet or any unknown body in the universe, one of the most important signs being looked for is water. The other one is most likely to be the presence of oxygen in its atmosphere, which is why water is indispensable.
The Importance of Healthy Food
Aside from water or fluids that a person needs for his physical health, solid food or food in general is the other part of one’s diet that needs looking into. Again, this is where moderation plays a major role in keeping one’s body fit and healthy.
Practice good eating habits. By following the Food Guide Pyramid, you can get all the vitamins, minerals, and most nutrients needed by your body.
Trying to keep track of our eating habits can be difficult for some of us due to the fast-paced stressful life that we lead. We can’t find the time to monitor what we eat. Unconsciously, we tend to consume food that is available in the fastest manner. Many of the foods in this group (the fast foods) have high fat content. An unbalanced diet can lead to acidity. This tends to raise the stress level, making many people more susceptible to anxiety and panic attacks. To counteract this activity, alkaline-based foods must be taken to balance the pH level in the body.
How would you know if your body’s pH level is balanced?
I believe most of us know about the 80-20 rule. Based on this concept, it is stated that if a fairly fit person makes healthy eating choices 80% of the time (consuming higher calorie foods), the other 20% of the time usually won’t be a problem. Translating this to the amount of food taken each meal using the 80-20 principle, 80% amount of food in the grain, vegetables, and fruits groups, and 20% in the other food groups like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, and sparingly on fats and sweets, is quite ideal.
Another way to determine an internally balanced pH is by feel. Each time a meal is taken, depending on your metabolism (which has something to do with age and activity), you can more or less determine the comfortable level of stuffy feel in the stomach. A person may be full after a meal but still feels light, due to alkaline-based foods. A person may feel full or heavy despite eating moderate amounts because of acidic foods. Though it is possible that other factors may determine how a person perceives feelings in the stomach, this is a fairly accurate gauge of measuring the pH balance.
