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I’ve just had an incredibly intense week, spending most of my time in front of the computer. My eyes and neck are tired, and my brain feels a little foggy.
I am sure you’ve had a similarly tiring week, and maybe your weekend won’t look much different. Time to run errands, take the kids out to events, prepare for the upcoming holidays, and the list goes on.
We need to make time to de-stress in the interest of our health, weight control, and not to mention our sanity! One of the easiest ways, demanding the least amount of time, are simple breathing exercises.
“Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.” Andrew Weil, M.D.
Check out the following site for instructions for three simple breathing exercises. While you are there, check out Dr. Weil’s comprehensive web site with lots of tools and articles on health and aging. I would also highly recommend Dr. Weil’s audio CD collection on Breathing and Meditation. It is the perfect tool if you are new to breathing and meditation exercises!
Another way to relax is to get away from everything, even if only for a few hours. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area you will find many opportunities to do so. A very nice relaxing place that I’ve found only half an hour from my home is the Santa Sabina Center in San Rafael, CA. 
It is a very quiet, tranquil place surrounded by eucalyptus trees. The Santa Sabina center was founded in the Catholic monastic tradition but is open to people of all faiths and spiritualities. One week every month they are open for private visits by anyone interested in the peace and silence that I guarantee you will experience there.
If you are anywhere else in the world, there are so many places to get away to – parks and lawns, a lonely tree, the beach, a creek, a cafe. Find what works best for you. Just getting out there and connecting with nature is one of the most incredible ways to relax, replenish, and breathe that I know of.
Tell me, what techniques do you use to relax? What kind of places do you escape to? I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Technorati Tags: relax , de-stress , breathe , health , weight control , Santa Sabina Center , San Rafael , California , escape
