Unwind with friends and fun.
Almost everyone loves the movies, but the rush to get to the cinema on time, wait in line for tickets, and find a seat can take its toll. Try this quick stretch for your hips to relax your muscles before the film starts and help you sit comfortably until the credits roll.
1. Cross your legs, placing your right ankle above your left knee.
2. Gently push your right knee down, so that you feel a stretch in your right hip. Take your time in the stretch, relaxing your hip and buttocks.
3. Switch legs and repeat the stretch on the other side.
Working out can be blissful or a chore, depending on your state of mind. As you strain to bench-press the barbell, notice whether your mind is also weighed down. Clear your head, and your physical load will lighten, too. Tap into your enthusiasm and let your workout be easy. Whenever you feel drained, coach yourself compassionately, like an internal personal trainer. Take deep breaths on each repetition and, to avoid injury, lift with your entire body strength. This is your private time to go within. A deep peace will follow. Savor that feeling by recuperating with some stretching and sauna or steam afterward. Use this positive boost to motor through the rest of your day.
Strong body, strong mind, strong desire!
Taxi drivers can pop into our lives from around any street corner. Many offer more than transportation; they lend an ear. Taxicab confessions can provide a warm encounter with a stranger. Don’t be afraid to ask for information about the latest restaurants and attractions; most drivers know their way around town and are more than willing to share their wisdom. Many drivers are excellent listeners and would love to hear your tales. Sit back and rest, and trust your driver to navigate through the city.
A little bump and boogie can recharge your body and mind. The more uninhibited you are, the more relaxed you’ll be. You can always put on the stereo at home, but dancing at a club or party with lots of people can inspire you to greater heights. If you feel self-conscious, follow this groovy six-step guide:
1. Get up and dance; a partner is nice, but not essential.
2. Find a spot on the floor with a little elbow room.
3. Drop the old steps and explore different rhythms.
4. Get out of your mind and into your body.
5. Take deep breaths and stretch while you dance.
6. Feel the freedom and get inspired.
Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open.
—Sir James Dewar
Stuck standing in line for a concert, sports event, or movie? Feel like the wait is eternal? This Line-up Loosening routine will set you at ease.
1. Place your hands on your waist and do circles with your hips.
2. Place your hands on your buttocks, fingers pointing down, and stretch your upper body slowly back. Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground for balance.
If you are waiting with friends, try a Line-up Loosening massage:
1. Ask permission to massage their shoulders.
2. Stand behind the willing person and place your hands on their shoulders.
3. Squeeze their neck and shoulder muscles slowly and firmly.
Victory belongs to the most persevering.
—Napoleon
When a friend or stranger erupts into a grown-up version of a temper tantrum, it’s time to pause and offer assistance. All of us can blow up with frustration, given the wrong set of circumstances. Keep these principles in place for the sake of harmony:
1. Listen to the tantrum thrower’s words.
2. Do not try to cut off or calm them down right away.
3. Resist the temptation to join in with your own tantrum.
4. Don’t take any accusations personally.
5. Breathe, relax, and patiently wait for the release to end.
6. Ask if you can offer the person assistance.
Most tantrum throwers just need to get it out and will settle down on their own. Sometimes just being there is enough to help someone else get through their struggles.
Anger is a short madness
—Horace
Become bilingual in minutes by learning to read body language. If you are interacting with someone whose body is twisted up like a pretzel, it is likely that any further communication will prove futile. Attempt to counteract the situation by relaxing and hanging loose; wait for an opening. Master the art of observation with some simple body-language lessons.
ARMS AND LEGS:
1. If arms and legs are crossed, you should withdraw forceful questions and focus on being friendly.
2. If arms and/or legs are loose and relaxed, proceed without concern.
FACE AND EYES:
1. If eyes are looking upward, the listener is considering something.
2. If eyes are darting around, the listener may feel threatened or uncomfortable.
3. Tense facial muscles may be a sign that the listener is suffering information overload and it’s time to take a break.
Caffeine and sugar-laden foods seem like great quick fixes for stress, but if your body is loaded with stimulants, you’ll actually increase your chances of being agitated. On your next supermarket trip, open yourself up to the healthy zone. Slow down in the produce aisle to see if you can discover ways to satisfy your munchies with fresh, healthful foods. Explore different fruits and vegetables you’ve never tried before. Plan a spontaneous soup or salad. Collect different kinds of nuts and raisins for an on-the-go power mix. Herbal teas are an interesting and exotic switch from coffee. Are you weary? When you’ve filled your cart with healthful snacks, cool down in the freezer section with an all-natural fruit pop.
The first wealth is health.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Watching the game at a favorite bar is a tribal tradition. Gather the gang together! Get rowdy and unwind by cheering for the home team. Let it out after a long week in the trenches, and don’t be afraid to stretch your vocal cords. Decompress. Get connected to your primal energy. When your team scores, bellow out ape sounds from deep in your belly—“Hooh, hooh, hooh, hooh!”—as you pump your fist in the air.
On the day of victory no one is tired.
—Arab proverb
Just as you pick a restaurant that matches your mood, make sure that you’re seated at a table that sets the right tone for your meal. It’s worth waiting for. Feng shui is the art of harmonious placement, and it can apply to where you sit. When entering a restaurant, choose a table with comfortable chairs, a nice view, and a soothing atmosphere. Try to distance yourself from the heavy-traffic areas. Create a pleasant environment by developing a friendly rapport with your server. Before you eat, give thanks and gratitude for the food and companionship! Make a silent affirmation that this meal will be peaceful and that you will enjoy some good company. Taking your time and staying conscious of your experience is sure to turn a quick bite into a meal to be remembered.
