I must confess not to having practiced it myself, but it sounds like what it’s controlling is that internal “chatter” that goes on, and emotions that come along with it, and I hear clients speaking highly of it.

SIMPLE DAILY CHORES

Someone told me other day how beneficial it was to her to do dishes by hand because it also involved warmth on her hands, and water. Gardening, which keeps chattering still and involves hands, is another way.

It may even work to keep feet busy, such as bicycle riding, or an exercise bike. Of course any kind of exercise is beneficial because of endorphins it raises, which may apply to all these things.

One client of mine relies on dancing when she’s stressed. She pictures way a child moves – all arms and legs, motions and expression – and she finds this a great relief, particularly combined with music, which is an extra help in stilling chattering brain and calming muscles.

TOUCHING WITH THE HAND

Research has proven that a massage benefits one who gives it as much as it does one receives it. Interesting isn’t it?

When we touch our lovers, hug our friends, rock our babies, and pull our children into our laps to read them a story, we are giving healing of touch.

ANIMAL COMPANIONS

When Amantha is stressed, she tells me she lies down on floor and pets her dog. She figures lying down on floor gets her out of frame of reference of her daily life … as it would for most of us.

Did you know that just being in room with a dog lowers blood pressure of ailing seniors, healthy college students, and a child reading. There’s a connection there you’re aware of if you have an animal companion. They’re a comfort to us, and hopefully we are to them as well, because they give us a lot.

In fact dogs and other animals are now being used for therapy of different types. There’s an Animal Volunteer Companion program where you can take your dog, cat, bird, or hamster to a nursing home, shelter, prison or other institution to bring all things that animals bring to those who are no longer able to be with animals on a daily basis.

Taking your dog for a walk brings great stress relief and also added factor that it can be a social experience. A dog is an instant topic of conversation and we feel at ease approaching someone with their dog to have a chat. Conversation flows freely. You’re also outdoors where things look different. Social isolation is a form of stress that can be remedied in this way.

Whether it’s painting with your child, doing needlepoint while you watch TV, going out to barn to do a little carpentry, planting broccoli, or giving your partner a massage, use those hands in quieting, repetitive tasks and watch stress levels go down! Touch your world. It will keep you grounded.

4. Dive In This is my favorite. I get enormous energy from leaping off metaphorical cliffs. Instead of screaming "NO", try saying "Wheee!" or "Geronimo." I've crossed country on three occasions with no job and no place to live. I keep having soft, successful landings so I keep leaping. Sometimes it takes a geographic change to get yourself out of a rut. Try something out there and see if you can fly.

5. Be Prepared So maybe you're not a leaper. You can plan for contingencies, save that nest egg. Find an answer for all what-ifs. But be careful not to over prepare. Just how likely are those eventualities that you're covering? There comes a point when it's time to take steps.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now".

—J. W. von Goethe

Remember, if you only do what you already know how to do your world would get pretty stale. Growth is an essential part of life. There comes a time to move on. You can feel when change is due. When that time comes universe makes it easy for you. The money for graduate school appears, child care arrangements work out, an article about a new company catches your eye. Pay attention to signals. Then trust your judgment. If something tells you this new opportunity is right, it probably is.