De-stress, find your balance, feel happy

long periods of time. This leads to crippling fear, emotional paralysis, anxiety, depression, inertia, exhaustion and dis-ease.

Stressed people make poor choices which adds to their stress. They do not think things through and say yes to things that with more reflection they should probably not do. They also say no to things that might benefit them but because they are stressed and in fear mode, they avoid. When we are stressed, it is difficult to feel joy and enjoy.

There are many resourceful things you can do to de-stress. One of the easiest I know of which can be done almost anywhere is: Close your eyes–put one hand on your chest and one on your stomach and breathe. In your mind, say ‘I am breathing in’ as you breathe in and as you breathe out say ‘I am breathing out’.

Don’t try and control your breath. Go according to the natural rhythm. Feel it.

Do this for 10 breaths a few times a day – or for as many breaths as it takes to restore balance. It may take time to concentrate but you will be able to with practice.

Change your mind-set. Don’t feed stressful thoughts to your mind. Be hopeful. Frame your thinking to invite and allow solutions to problems or worries. Spend time doing things you love. Spend time with children. They are great teachers for being in the moment. Spend time in nature – exercising, walking and seeing the beauty. This naturally connects us and lifts our mood.

Set goals that excite, challenge and inspire you and move towards them every day. Think positively. Surround yourself with people that encourage you to be well and your best. Read empowering and encouraging books. Eat energizing and healthy food. Have a positive morning routine. Never gossip. Be loving and compassionate towards yourself. When you are trying to do new things, do not expect every step to be 100 percent successful.

Doing new things brings up discomfort and fear. It challenges. Acknowledge and learn from mistakes. Don’t condemn yourself for them. When we are developing new muscles to do new things in life, it takes time. Persistence pays. Help others. Smile. Happiness comes when you are focussed and connected.

The most important thing when you have too much stress is to recognize the early warning signs and slow down. Find ways of reducing the stress in your life and the thoughts you are having that are adding to stress and increase the positivity and balance in your day.

Try some of these techniques this week. We’d love to hear how you are getting along.

To make kefir you will need a 500 ml jar, milk of your choice and the grains, that’s it. Put one tablespoon of grains into the jar, add the milk until i’s 3/4 full and close the lid. Leave the mixture to ferment for 24 hours in a warm place. Then strain the kefir into a clean jar, straining until you’re left with the grains in the strainer. Never use metal utensils. Put the grains back into the jar you emptied and fill with milk again and put the other one into the fridge to drink later. You should find that if you leave it in the fridge it thickens and goes creamy like yoghurt. Kefir feeds on sugar to grow but it will have absorbed all of the sugar before you get to it. The grains multiply over time and you’ll have plenty to share with family and friends.

The best time to take kefir is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You can use kefir as a substitute for buttermilk or yoghurt in baked goods. You can add it to smoothies, make your own ice cream, or simply enjoy it as a beverage.

Home-made kefir is a very cost effective way to provide your body with a fantastic supply of good gut bacteria to help keep you healthy. So why not give it a try?