| You can quickly reduce stress without waiting for a | | | | Since the results are positive and measurable, I'm |
| weekend, vacation, or massage. You'll feel | | | | suggesting this strategy to you. You can also create |
| empowered when you take action to meet your | | | | your own private brainwave symphony by using an |
| needs, and that automatically elevates your happiness | | | | iPod or a portable CD player and headphones. |
| at work. A few of the easy strategies described | | | | FOLLOW YOUR NOSE |
| below require planning ahead so you have materials on | | | | Unique aromas produce distinct physiological effects |
| hand. However, each tip will only take you a few | | | | and mood states. Essential oils and flower essences |
| minutes to implement once you're set up. Less stress | | | | can dramatically affect your feelings because your |
| results in greater creativity, higher productivity, and | | | | olfactory sense is directly connected to the limbic area |
| fewer conflicts with "difficult people." If you're a | | | | of your brain (the seat of your emotions). |
| manager, tell your employees about these stress | | | | Employees frequently use essential oils to elevate |
| reduction techniques because they accelerate | | | | concentration and arouse feelings such as peace and |
| employee engagement. | | | | joy. Some Japanese companies diffuse lemon and |
| GET IN THE GROOVE | | | | peppermint essential oils to increase productivity. |
| A finger labyrinth can center your mind, calm anger | | | | I've introduced sandalwood and nutmeg to |
| and anxiety, stimulate creativity, and shift your | | | | organizations I've consulted with because they can |
| perspective regarding a tough challenge. The power of | | | | decrease stress. A blend of rosemary and lemon |
| a labyrinth is simple. It integrates physical movement | | | | improves focus. Other oils, such as ylang ylang and |
| with a challenge to your left brain. You stop | | | | bergamot, stimulate the production of the feel-good |
| perseverating about a stressful situation and allow | | | | neurotransmitter serotonin. Lavender triggers alpha and |
| creative solutions to emerge. | | | | theta brain waves. Chamomile, rose, and orange |
| I discovered the power of a full-scale labyrinth at a | | | | blossom are calming. Jasmine is said to imbue |
| progressive hospital that encouraged patients and their | | | | confidence in dealing with difficult problems, which can |
| loved ones to explore a beautifully landscaped "puzzle" | | | | elevate your self-esteem. |
| area (the labyrinth). Day after day, I watched distraught | | | | Once you experience the benefits of aromatherapy, |
| clients and their families enjoy their lives more even if | | | | you'll probably keep vials in your car and home as well |
| their situations had not visibly improved. | | | | as at work. When purchasing essential oils or flower |
| On the job, use your nondominant hand to "walk" | | | | essences, keep in mind that the quality of the product |
| through a finger labyrinth because you stimulate | | | | will determine its effectiveness. |
| different neural networks when you do this. This will | | | | BONUS: FAST STRESS REDUCTION TIP |
| provide easier access to your intuition. If you don't | | | | Rub a drop of peppermint or lavender essential oil into |
| already have a finger labyrinth in your desk, pocket, or | | | | your wrists when you feel anxious. Breathe deep belly |
| purse, you can discover how to buy or create one by | | | | breaths while you enjoy the delicious smell. The lovely |
| searching "labyrinth" on the World Wide Web. | | | | fragrance can refresh many parts of your body at |
| ORCHESTRATE YOUR MIND | | | | once because the arteries in your wrists are close to |
| Certain types of music have been associated with | | | | the surface. Therefore, the benefits of the cooling, |
| relaxation because music can stimulate specific brain | | | | calming oils are quickly distributed throughout your |
| states. Companies such as Sound Health, The | | | | body. This tip also works great behind your ear lobes |
| Relaxation Company, Inner Peace, New Earth, and | | | | because your ear lobes are saturated with reflexology |
| Phillips, and composers such as Morry Zelcovitch offer | | | | points related to the physiology of stress. |
| outstanding collections of brain-entrainment music that | | | | A side benefit of using essential oils is that you smell |
| induce specific levels of consciousness. | | | | good. This can trigger a subtle boost in charisma, |
| The strategy of using music to entrain your brain state | | | | customer satisfaction, and the subliminal perception |
| is so successful that employees in many offices I | | | | that you're a natural leader (a.k.a. "promotion material"). |
| work with cooperatively select the recordings they | | | | Don't have essential oils on hand? Substitute cold |
| play as background music. We usually test the results, | | | | water for the oils, but make a note to buy essential oils |
| just as I have tested the effects of all of the "More | | | | because the side benefits are at least as much fun as |
| Joy on the Job Strategies" I recommend to my clients. | | | | the stress reduction. |