The Oaks at Ojai
Move away from stress.
Movement lessens and removes feelings of anxiety, tension, unrest and pressure. You can use one of the many fitness programs recommended at my spa and you can find other "sneaky" ways to move so you can better cope with whatever life throws your way. Here are some tips that could help strengthen and even save your life because stress has been medically connected to scores of disabling diseases. Movement is a natural mood elevator and tranquilizer as it releases the endorphins, which allows us to chase away feelings of doubt and even fear. If you feel up after a run or walk and it’s those endorphins at work.

During times of anguish and sorrow, say after a life-changing ordeal or the death of a loved one, various adrenaline hormone components build up in the body. These are the "fight or flight" hormones so needed during an emergency, but when that emergency is seen on national television or because of a doctor’s diagnosis, a repetitive activity such as briskly walking uses the hormones so that they do not accumulate in the body. It’s the build up of these hormones that contribute to feeling of anxiousness, making sleep or normal activities difficult.

Movement can ease your mind. Taking a few minutes "off" from problems because you’re cycling, running, walking or swimming can help put your stress in a new light. It won’t get rid of the problems, often only time and patience can do that, but movement gives you "recess" from them. That’s helps you cope

Movement can be part of a hobby. As many of you know, I’m an avid gardener and when I saw my colleague’s new book, I knew she was right on target. Dr. Eva Shaw’s Shovel It: Nature’s Health Plan mixes cutting edge medical advice on health and recovery with ways to let nature heal the mind, body and spirit. Working outdoors is the most popular national pastime and Dr. Eva’s Shovel It gives plenty of reasons why you should be gardening to get healthy. I highly recommend it.

Movement is as easy as stretching. You don’t have to know all the fancy moves, but you may want to take one of the stretching or yoga classes at my spas to become familiar with the correct stances. I like to stretch first thing in the morning and again at night, and often when I’m traveling. Stretching can be done anywhere.

Movement should include healing breaths. Sitting or standing tall, exhale all the oxygen in your lungs and slowly breathe deeply "pooching" out your abdominal area so that you can take in large amounts of air. Release this breath slowly and inhale again. If you’re having trouble sleeping because of fear or stress, take some healing breaths while lying in bed. I like to do this with a pillow beneath my knees.

Movement can be relaxing, too. A therapeutic body massage, often with aromatic essential oils, should be part of your personal stress-relieving program. If you travel a lot, sit in front of the computer, drive in gridlock traffic, or are experiencing personal stress, then a massage may help put you back in control. At the spas we offer head, neck and shoulder massages as well as full body experiences, but remember, you can also give your loved one or partner a good backrub when he/she is out of sorts. A soothing, fragrant oil is always appreciated for a massage and even if you’re a novice masseuse or masseur you can do a wonderful job if you concentrate on being gentle and patient. Because turn about is fair play—and you’ll get the next massage or shoulder rub.

Movement means being fit. Start with a regular fitness plan that you enjoy. Walking is fits everyone’s fitness program. Make your goal one hour of exercise four to seven times a week. Some days this may mean you have to break up that time in to small increments, yet, you’ll still be increasing your muscle tone, using unwanted calories, and helping yourself to a less-stressed life, when you exercise often.

Fitness for life means being smart enough to move away from stress. Use these moves to make that possible.