When we relax the whole body fine tunes with the pattern of coherence encoded deeply into its fundamental design. According to Chinese medicine, avoiding emotional stress creates a tranquil mind. A peaceful mind gives the body a chance to strengthen its body qi. Strong qi protects the organs of the body against pathogenic qi, ensuring health and the natural processes to function optimally. Acupuncturists have long known how to regulate the qi to harmonize the body.

Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind rest at peace. The ten thousand things rise and fall
While the self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then return to the source.
Returning to the source is stillness which is the way of nature.

START NOW
Here are some helpful tools for reducing your feelings of stress and tension. You can get help right away and keep your stress level under control. Simple adjustments to your posture, habits, thought, and behavior can make a difference. Start now with these quick anti-stress strategies. If you want to listen to this on podcast please visit Ostenzen.com podcast section or just click on the player below.

COOL DOWN
Any time you feel plagued by stress, slow down. Practice speaking and moving more slowly than usual. You'll find that you think more clearly and react more practically to stressful circumstances. Stressed people tend to speak fast, move fast, and breathe faster. By slowing down your speech, movements and breath, you'll also appear less concerned and more in charge of any situation.

A QUICK POSTURE CHECK
Feel your internal body. Become aware of your spine. Hold your head and shoulders upright and avoid slumping. Terrible posture can lead to muscle tension, pain, and increased stress.

SLOW and DEEP BREATHS
Starting from your lower abdomen,breathe slowly and deeply. Feel your thoughts, your feelings, your internal organs – you. Before reacting to the next stressful episode, take three deep breaths and release them slowly with the help of your breath. Connect the breath with your whole body.
If you have a few minutes, do some breathing exercises such as “auto-genic training”, “the inner smile”.

TRANSFORM your EMOTIONS
Observe the next occasion in which you find yourself becoming angry, worried, sad, fearful or anxious about something unimportant. Then practice letting go - make a conscious choice, watch it, consider it - and then leave it. Do not allow yourself to misuse thoughts and vigor where it isn't deserved. Instead, smile to yourself and praise yourself and your internal body. Suggested Reading: Taoist Way to Tansform Stress into Vitality by Mantak Chia. Successful emotional management is an effective stress reducer.

GET FRESH AIR
Get outside for a short break. Smell the air and notice the therapeutic influence of a fresh atmosphere. Don't be deterred by bad weather or a full schedule. Even five minutes on the porch can be refreshing.

ONE SIMPLE - TO DO
Jumps start your To Do List. Choose one effortless thing you have postponed (e.g. returning a phone call, making a doctor's appointment) and do it right away. Just taking care of one irritating task can be revitalizing and can improve your feelings. Suggested Reading: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allan.

DRINK PLENTY and EAT SMALL
Drink at least eight cups of water a day and eat small, nutritious snacks (e.g. nuts, dried fruits). Hunger and a lack of fluids, even before you're aware of them, can provoke hostility and aggravate feelings of stress.

RECHARGE your BODY
Arrange something gratifying for the end of your day. It could be as simple as a relaxing bath or an half an hour of reading. Put aside work, housecleaning or family concerns for a brief period before bedtime. Don't spend this time planning tomorrow's schedule or doing responsibilities you didn't get around to during the day. Permit yourself to fully unwind, relax and recharge. You could also indulge in a relaxing acupuncture experience and take care of your health and well being that way.

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

To find out more about the science of stress management see: The Medical Basis of Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep Problems, and Drug Use