Herb Corner Issue 20

As school begins for children in year round schools or are preparations for the new school are being made and finished, stress levels tend to rise. Some changes are big while others are small. But each of these creates stress that requires a response. Do worries and uncertainties keep us from moving forward? Are there little bumps in the road that make us question the path we have chosen?

These and many other thoughts have run through my head as I have prepared to continue my education in another state. The stress has been great at times, the anxiety painful, and the bumps plentiful. Yet there have been many helpful and simple things that have helped relieve much of that stress. They are:

1) Deep breathing for 5 minutes. - If you don't have five minutes, then just take a few breaths that expand your stomach and fill your lungs so your chest rises. Then release it with an audible sigh.

2) Gratitude prayers - when working through all that needs to happen with preparation, you find that as you give thanks for the blessings you have seen, you will soon see that there is even more to be thankful for, for He will always be there to help you and guide you.

3)Increased Nutrition and water intake - Green drinks, wheat grass shots, and more fruits and vegetables are very beneficial. They provide nutrients to combat the damage that stress can cause in the body. Also, drinking enough water helps to flush out toxins that add to the feelings of stress.

4) "Grounding" - This is simply shuffling your bare feet in the grass for 5-20 minutes (whatever you have time for). This causes the static electricity in the body (that has been used up) to leave and give space for positive energy to enter through the crown of the head. (After doing this for a while, you should feel really good, relaxed, and clear headed) I love it!

5) Hugs - Four hugs a day can keep the blues away.

And...

6) Laughing - This produces endorphins that elevate mood and moves the lymph in the body to keep the immune system working correctly.

The following quote is from a book and I thought it fit. Hope you enjoy:

“And really, why shouldn’t we be afraid? In case you haven’t heard, life is terminal. Cigarettes will kill you. So, will your cell phone. Your microwave, the power lines, the squirming germs that raw meat leaves behind on your kitchen counter and the chemical cleansers you neutralize them with… all potentially lethal. Your car is a deadly weapon, alcohol a quite killer. Too much fat, too much sugar, too much exercise or not enough… Don’t lick the lead-based paint on your window sills, don’t lick the back of that postage stamp, and don’t lick any strangers, oh, that can take you down quickly, indeed! Don’t drink the water and don’t drink less than eight glasses a day. Hold your breath in traffic, off-gas your furniture, stock up on duck tape! Don’t talk to strangers, and if you’re female, don’t go home- you’re more likely to be a victim of domestic violence than of burglary, mugging, or any other type of physical assault combined. Your environment is toxic, your natural resources are dwindling, your days are numbered, but whatever you do, don’t panic! The stress, don’t you know, will kill ya.”

-The Scarecrow “Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu, pg. 62-63”

Good night to all. Good luck in all of your endevours. Until next month,
Aeroia