To Improve Your Memory, Concentration & More
Julie Lusk, M.Ed., E-RYT-500
Wholesome Resources for Mind-Body Mastery through Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Stress Relief, Wellness
by Julie Lusk
by Julie Lusk
Solving Holiday Stress
Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Nicholas, Kwanza, Winter Solstice, Navidades, Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s, the holidays are inherently stressful.
Decide now whether this year will be full of the season’s stressful traps or fulfilling with plenty of treasures to be thankful for. Now is the time to set priorities and make the necessary changes so the holidays are inspiring and energizing instead of a drain. It’s especially important to pay attention to what your needs and wishes are for your body, mind, and heart while finding the balance with sharing with others.
Operating on automatic can add even more stress causing unhappiness, sickness, poor relationships and lack of energy. Why not improve your ability to handle stress by practicing the following effective ways to cope with stress. I DARE you to Relax! Please check out the CD’s down below too. Each provide helpful tools and techniques for renewal. They make excellent gifts too.
DARE to Relax includes: D = Diet; A = Attitude and Awareness; R = Rest, Relaxation and Relationships; E = Exercise.
DIET: Don’t deprive yourself of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can help you reduce the effects of daily stress. Stress uses up your supply of vitamins A, B and C which can lead to feeling irritable and tired. Calcium is essential for your central nervous system to function normally. Without enough, your nerves become frayed. If you consistently eat well-balanced meals, you can fortify your system giving you the nourishment to guard against the harmful effects of stress.
Eat a nutritious breakfast
Choose fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains
Choose baked or broiled food instead of fried
Cut down on too much fat, salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, additives and preservatives
Maintain a healthy weight
Choose holiday foods with care. Eat the special things that are delicious and bring you in touch with warm memories. You really don’t have to eat everything to get the taste of the holidays.
ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS: Research shows that as much as 75% of illnesses are the result of experiencing too much stress. Not being able to handle stress properly can decrease the effectiveness of your immune system. Become more aware of how you respond to tension and stress in your life and begin to make adjustments. Are you responding appropriately? Could you be over-reacting? Is it possible to avoid or change a situation that causes you anxiety? By improving your awareness and improving how you react to stress, it might be possible to avoid some of your headaches, stomachaches and other problems. Try laughing. Laughter is like internal jogging. It aids digestion and improves alertness and productivity by sending blood and oxygen to your brain and increases the production of the body’s catecholamines.
Learn to accept situations you can’t change; give in once in a while
Learn to communicate with others; talk your worries out
Take one thing at a time; don’t take on too many changes at once
Manage your time more effectively; don’t procrastinate
Be positive and realistic
Express your feelings in healthy ways
Create variety in your work; do old things new ways
REST AND RELAXATION: It is much easier to handle stress if you are rested and know how to remain calm. Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night is essential. Although recreation and being diverted from stress is helpful (playing a sport, watching a movie) true relaxation is different. It involves giving yourself an honest break from activity and excess stimulation. Breathing deeply, smoothly, slowly and from the diaphragm is relaxing since it too sends a fresh supply of blood to the brain and throughout the body. It oxygenates your system and even slows down the heartbeat.
Plan leisure time; take breaks
Spend time on a hobby; seek new interests
Schedule some quiet time alone every day; meditate; pray
Have fun, play and laugh
Cut down on noise levels at home and work; turn the radio or TV off
Replenish yourself with therapeutic relaxation, guided imagery and affirmations. See the suggestions for CD’s below to feel rejuvenated improve your outlook and help your health.
EXERCISE: When under stress, there is an increase of adrenalin in the system as part of the flight or fight response, which can drain you of energy if not effectively released. Exercise regularly to work stresses off positively. This can improve your productivity and increase your energy. Be sure to choose physical activity that you enjoy.
This may be the year to tamper with holiday traditions so the spirit and meaning of the holidays are once again filled with tidings of comfort and joy.
Help for the holidays. These CD’s will replenish your energy and renew your outlook. They make great gifts too!
Its many benefits include:
Digital downloads are available.
CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...by Julie Lusk
This yoga sequence helps with abdominal core strength and tones the back while also lengthening the psoas muscles.
The psoas, deep and large, runs from the lumbar spine, stretches over the hip joint and under the abs, and attaches to inner thigh bone.
Traditional leg lifts, “crunches” and sit-ups are often done to strengthen and flatten the abdominal muscles. The problem is that they also tighten and shorten the psoas tipping the pelvis forward, pushing your belly out (yuk) and misalignment of the back.
A tight psoas contributes to back, hip and knee problems, indigestion, dysfunctional breathing, instability, and other problems.
This particular yoga sequence activates the psoas muscle in a progressive manner: first facing forward, to the side, and then turning.
Other beneficial yoga postures are the forearm plank and side plank (creates core stability and strength with a neutral psoas) and pigeon (stretches and releases the psoas).
Consult a qualified yoga professional for instructions and contraindications. As with all exercise, practice for your own benefits and at your own risk.
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Dr. Norm Shealy recommends Julie Lusk’s Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra CD
to anyone who has not conquered the art of relaxation.
“My friend Julie Lusk sent her Yoga Nidra book and audio. Needless to say, the book just convinced me how important the audio is!
I have hundreds of CD’s including guided imagery and a great deal of outstanding music. Despite my experience, Julie’s Yoga Nidra provides the deepest relaxation I can imagine. If you have not yet conquered the art of relaxation, I strongly recommend this CD ASAP!
C. Norman Shealy M.D., Ph.D. is a neurosurgeon, psychologist, and founding president of the American Holistic Medical Association. For over three decades, he has been at the forefront of alternative medicine and alternative health care. He holds ten patents for innovative discoveries in medicine, has published more than 300 articles, and authored more than 24 books. His latest book is Medical Intuition: A Science of Soul. He is president at Holos Institutes of Health, Professor Emeritus of Energy Medicine and president at Emeritus Holos University Graduate Seminary. Learn more at NormShealy.com
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Written and narrated by Julie Lusk.
Original instrumental music by Tom Laskey
Listen to Wholesome Relaxation to experience deep relaxation, inspiring imagery and affirmations to enhance your personal health, increase strength, and improve your overall well-being. It will help you reduce worry, help you sleep soundly, relieve stress, improve your outlook and more.
