Tag Archives: stress relief

Dog days at work may help reduce stress

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Many Americans find comfort in coming home from a long day of work and greeting their dog. The unconditional love of a pet can be a legitimate source of stress relief for professionals.

In some offices throughout the U.S., managers are allowing canines to roam company property to provide a much-needed distraction in an otherwise tension-filled work environment. According to the Baltimore Sun, bringing your pet to work is a growing trend in the U.S.

Companies such as Amazon and Google welcome dogs in the office, the news provider reports. Replacements Ltd., the nation's largest vendor of china and crystal, also allows workers to bring their pets to work.

A survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) revealed that one in five companies allows pets. Approximately 3 percent of dog owners surveyed said they have brought their dogs to work on up to a couple of dozen occasions.

"From an employer standpoint in this era of benefit-cutting, this is something employees value, but costs us nothing to provide," Jennifer Fearing, the director of the Humane Society's California operations, told the media outlet.

Roughly 70 million Americans believe having pets in the workplace helps reduce stress levels, according to the APPMA survey. 

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Desk plants can help workers remain less stressed, productive

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Finding stress relief in the office can be as simple as placing potted plants at your work desk, a new study indicates.

According to The Daily Mail, a Swedish study revealed that workers who saw more plants at work had less sick days than individuals with limited access to plants. The presence of potted plants helped reduce fatigue, stress, headaches, coughs and dry skin among employees, researchers concluded.

The findings are based on a study of 385 office workers. The team from Norwegian University of Life Sciences discovered a correlation between the number of plants in an employee's work space and their personal health and sick days.

"There could also be a psychological explanation in that people believe plants are healthier and are likely to evaluate their own health more optimistically," said Lisa Bringslimark, an environmental psychology expert.

Another study, conducted by Washington State University researchers, found that potted plants are specifically beneficial to people who did not have a window in their work area. Dr. Virginia Lohr, the lead author of the study, found that participants were 12 percent more productive and less stressed when they worked in environments with plants, compared to individuals who were in plant-less settings.  

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Knowing could be half the battle in work setting

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Getting to know your co-workers can be an effective relaxation technique. Thus, employees may benefit from team-building exercises in which they learn more about their colleagues.

Unfortunately, the competitive nature of a 21st century work setting is not conducive to a casual, back-and-forth conversation between co-workers. However, all work and no play can negatively affect employee morale and hinder production.

You may want to organize team-building events with co-workers that can take place either during lunchtime or out-of-work hours. Going around the room and sharing some basic information – such as your name, hometown and personal interests – can lead to bonding, and even perhaps some long-term friendships.

These sessions do not have to be overtly personal. It is also wise to keep these things light. There is no need to share information that may make other people uncomfortable. For example, no one needs to know how much money your family has or how many times you've broken the law.

The purpose of these team-building events is to break down the rigid boundaries that exist in the office. Employees who are comfortable with their surroundings are more likely to succeed in their job-related tasks. 

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County jail looks into benefits of yoga

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Many people use Dahn Yoga in order to cleanse their minds and rejuvenate themselves for whatever is at hand for the day. Yoga is a great system for keeping the mind and body connected, and one correctional facility is hoping to use it to turn inmates' lives around.

The Morris County Jail in Morristown, New Jersey, is implementing a yoga program in an effort to rehabilitate the inmates' minds, according to the Greenfield Reporter. The goal of the classes is to teach inmates a sense of tranquility, and once they leave, these individuals will have positive energy flowing through their veins, discouraging them from returning to jail.

"If we can help people get some skills so they can actually change how they process things … people won't be coming back [to jail] again. That helps society as a whole," Nancy Candea, who works with the inmates, told the news provider.

The Mayo Clinic reports that yoga is a great method for stress relief, which could be why the jail has decided to implement the program.

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New program could lead to teachers helping their students find a good life balance

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Teachers can often help children with stress relief in a number of areas, but some students face obstacles that their educators may not have considered.

In order to address this issue, The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) recently announced that it has partnered with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) to offer an online course that can help educators recognize and report child abuse.

The cost of the program will be $100 a month, which teachers can use toward professional development credits. This program is great for training educators, as they have a legal obligation to report any signs of abuse or neglect that may take place at the students' homes.

"This is an easy and convenient way for teachers to acquire the training they need to be prepared to recognize and deal with the problem of child abuse, which is widespread and occurs all too frequently," said Christina E. Phillips, PFSA training director. "The online training is especially convenient because the course doesn't have to be completed all in one sitting."

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Debate continues over the use of yoga in prison

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Engaging in yoga has brought stress relief to many individuals all over the world. In recent years, the regimen has been incorporated into the daily lives of incarcerated people in an attempt to keep them calm and bring order to the prison environment.

Although such effects have been observed, critics are saying that bringing yoga to prisoners may be treating them a little too well, according to The Star, an Ontario publication.

Opponents to the idea believe that "perks" such as meditation classes, cooking courses and enhanced cable TV packages in jail are costing taxpayers a significant amount of money. However, those who support the introduction of yoga into the prison environment say that these are provided free of expense.

"These programs have been available for years. They are delivered by volunteers at no cost to the taxpayers," said Solicitor General Jim Bradley, quoted by the news source.

Other experts approve of the use of yoga for inmates, as the regimen may help increase their self-respect and self-esteem, thus enabling them to be more functional when they are released from prison. 

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Dahn Yoga and Health Centers launches campaign to expand outreach classes across U.S.

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People all over the world have experienced Dahn Yoga benefits such as stress relief, improved health and higher levels of energy. Now, Dahn Yoga and Health Centers has launched a project called Share the Health, which aims to increase the number of national outreach classes in order to benefit even more individuals across the country.

More than 4,000 Americans are participating at 173 outreach locations in the U.S., where they enjoy Dahn Yoga benefits free or charge or at a fraction of the cost. The classes are offered in many different places, including hospitals, schools, offices, retirement homes, libraries and parks, befitting the program's diverse clientele.

The organization is hoping to reach even more people through the Share the Health campaign. Those who have introduced the exercise into their daily lives have experienced countless improvements in stress relief and life manageability.

The beauty of the program lies in the fact that anyone of any age and background can participate. Whether practitioners are busy moms, overworked employees or even children who could use a little improvement in their attention spans, the technique has enhanced the holistic well-being of tens of thousands of Americans. 

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Enjoy the sunny days on the Iles D’Hyeres

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Those who want to escape the everyday responsibilities of life and get a little stress relief on vacation should check out Iles D'Hyeres in France. The three small islands are largely untouched, giving travelers a wonderful opportunity to practice Dahn Yoga exercises in a natural landscape.

According to travel website Black Tomato, all cars and other motor vehicles are banned from the area, so there will be no roaring engines to disturb your peaceful savasana. The source recommends visiting Ile de Port-Cross, which is a National Park that has several small, remote beaches, including the beautiful Port Man.

The islands get approximately 300 sunny days a year, so tourists have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the warm weather and appreciate their heavenly surroundings.

Another island in the archipelago is Ile du Levant. While it is a gorgeous coastal location off of the Riviera, it is also a popular tourist destination, so be prepared for some crowds when visiting. For a quieter experience, Porquerolles has a very small population of only 200 people and offers just as many scenic views.

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John Patrick Shanley to speak at Albany

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Dahn Yoga breathing can enhance self healing and promote stress relief. Many people work in fast-paced office environments and some experience personal stress or loneliness. One movie that deals with all of these issues is a 20-year-old classic, the 1990 film Joe Versus the Volcano, produced by Steven Spielberg and written by John Patrick Shanley.

Two big stars were in the movie, before they became even more famous in later romantic comedies. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks play the lead roles in Joe vs. the Volcano, a story about a hypochondriac who goes on a journey to a mystical island called Waponi Wu.

In the beginning of the film, Joe Banks works in a dead-end job with a terrible boss and discovers that he has a rare illness called a "brain cloud." This fictional disease allows one to live in perfect health for a few months before it mysteriously kills its subject.

Joe immediately quits his job but finds himself on the receiving end of a strange offer. A wealthy businessman named Samuel Graynamore offers Joe unlimited material wealth if he agrees to jump into a volcano on Waponi Wu in order that Graynamore can secure a special mineral from the natives of the island.

Many years after Joe vs. the Volcano, screenwriter Shanley penned Moonstruck and Doubt: A Parable. Shanley will speak at the University of Albany on April 6, according to Read Media.
 

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Practicing Dahn Yoga while engaging in online education may benefit busy adults

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Dahn Yoga boasts a range benefits, including sound mind and body. While mindfulness and exercise may be necessary for good health, obtaining higher education is also beneficial.

Physically active adults who wish to launch careers in a fun and exciting field may want to consider earning a degree in sport management. This week, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) announced that it will offer an online bachelor's degree in business studies with an emphasis in sport management.

The program may be attractive to those who are looking to enter positions as players, officials, athletic directors, athletic trainers, fitness instructors, professional managers, facilities managers, sporting goods manufacturers and club managers as well as sports card retailers.

The degree track's online format is designed to accommodate nontraditional students, such as military members, working adults and parents, who require a flexible schedule and anytime access to coursework.

Individuals who work, raise children or participate in the military while earning a degree may benefit from practicing Dahn Yoga exercises, which can provide stress relief. 

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