Stress Busters: 12 small habits that can make a BIG difference !

1. Pretend to yawn – and welcome the real one that will inevitably follow ! (Not for use during corporate meetings…)

2. When working long hours on the computer, make sure you take a break at least every hour. Stand up, stretch, drink some water, yawn…
Use a friendly timer if you tend to forget the time…

3. Take a quick walk outside to get some fresh air – and practice harbouring ONLY positive thoughts while you do !

4. Place water bottles all over the place in strategic spots to help you remember to rehydrate regularly throughout the day

5. First thing when you come home after a day of work or school : change your clothes !

6. Make sure you are doing one single thing at a time, and honour it by giving it your complete attention and concentration !

7. Spread positive affirmations all around your house, office, car, hand bag… Or why not use them as a screen saver on your cell phone ?

8. Chew each mouthful 30 times ! Feels a bit awkward for a start, but you’ll soon get the hang of it ! Improves your digestion and helps use the energy contained in your food right away rather than storing it for a doubtful “later” on hips and elsewhere…

9. Always keep a notebook and a pencil handy to write down « perfect moments » - an unexpected break, a flower you stopped to smell, a friendly smile from a stranger, pearls of sudden inspiration…
NB: Use of this notebook for grocery lists and phone numbers is strictly forbidden ;)

10. Challenge yourself ! For 21 days, commit to doing something NEW every day ! Learn a new language… Write with your left hand… Try a new route to work… Smile at strangers…

11. BREATHE deeply for a minute or two ! It may seem obvious to you, but a lot of people have constricted breath, leaving their brain in constant lack of oxygen, with the consequences you can imagine…

12. Spoil yourself! Treat yourself to a massage, a nice haircut, a new pair of shoes…

After all, you are the best YOU there is !