4. Pleasant Smells. A fresh and pleasant odor can transport you to a peaceful place and time. Open a window to get an exchange of air, use air purifiers or deodorizers to create scent you find most pleasing.

5. Furniture Arrangement. Place your furniture and other items to best fit your daily needs and actions. Personalize your space with things that bestow happy memories.

6. Comfortable Textures. Use pillows, throws and soft materials to create a comfort zone. Our sense of touch has a powerful impact upon our feelings.

7. Symbols of Nature. Bring outdoors inside with shells, rocks, feathers, wood, leaves, etc.

8. Answering Machine. When you need to unwind and revitalize, turn your answering machine on and volume down. You can always return calls when you are recharged and ready to talk.

Take control of your surroundings, whether they are just a corner of a room or a desk at work. You can even use these steps when traveling to help you unwind. By creating your own personal oasis, you will be better able to relax and rejuvenate. A few changes may be all that you need to make yourself calm, peaceful, energized and inspired.

Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. is a Personal Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach, Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor and Author. Go to www.MoniqueNGilbert.com to learn more about Monique's personal coaching program.

Copyright © Monique N. Gilbert - All Rights Reserved

*********************

Breathing exercises are excellent tools that can even be used in everyday situations. In many instances, especially those entrenched in fear, anger, or stress, breathing will help to diffuse state of mind that may cause a reaction or statement that is contrary to a balanced way of life. The exercises can also be used before speeches or performances that may be otherwise anxiety-ridden. Breathing exercises can be used in childbirth preparation and, hopefully, during labor to reduce intensity of baby’s birth. The benefits of pranayama are numerous and one who exercises breath can only hope to have an opportunity to delve deeper into this realm that holds so much significance in our existence on this Earth.

Prana is life and pranayama is its exaltation. One should begin by becoming familiar with breath and noticing times when breath is shallow; be breath observer. It is recommended to begin breathwork with a qualified teacher (registered yoga teachers are trained in pranayama). As with anything, more one practices, more it becomes automatic and a way of life. How can we deny breath its proper exercise and practice? The next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, remember to take phrase “just breathe” seriously as it may be that one body-mind-spirit link that you are missing.

"When breath wanders mind also is unsteady. But when breath is calmed, mind too will be still, and yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control breath."(Hatha Yoga Pradipika)