Richard Branson: Advice for Entrepreneurs

3 Easy, Inexpensive Ways To Manage Stress

By MELISASource on May 13, 2013

We all know the damaging health effects that stress can have on our minds and bodies. It has even been deemed as a link to long-term conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Yet with so much happening in the course of a day, it is becoming more challenging for the traditional methods of alleviating stress to be completely successful.

Stress has now changed from being something to “treat” or “fix” to something that requires continuous health maintenance. The more we try to do to end it completely, the more that happens to bring it back -- and over time, this cycle can pack a hefty punch to overall wellness.

In other words: The trips to the spa and mini-vacations are still really great ways to help with stress, but with the state of the world, there is an even greater need to practice stress management daily.

Below are three simple—and inexpensive things you can incorporate in your daily routine to help keep stress at bay.

Get Up, Get Out, and Get Something

Breaking away from the stresses of life doesn’t have to necessarily mean doing something elaborate or costly. Getting up and out of your current environment and getting one of the following may help immensely:

Fresh air

Change of scenery (even if it is just to a different room)

A short walk (sometimes 3-10 minutes is all that is needed)

A quick “vent-chat” with a good friend

Turn It Off…Turn It On

We all love to be "in the know" when it comes to what’s happening in the world, but sometimes the constant and fast-paced feed of images and information can actually do more to elevate our stress rather than reduce it. And trust me: your body will definitely alert you: your blood pressure, respirations, and heart rate will begin to rise the more you watch your screen.

Be sure that you are making not just one, but several moments throughout your day to turn it all off—disconnect from social media and the internet, and unglue yourself from the TV. Do not just put the phone on silent—turn it off too and put it out of sight.

Get yourself into some silence if you can. Or, turn on something more soothing like relaxing music, nature sounds, or motivational/inspirational speaking messages instead. Your vital signs will thank you.

Get In The Habit Of "Doing The Most"

Don’t just say that you want to keep your stress managed—do all that you can to make it a way of life. That means, assessing your day, associations, and behaviors on a regular basis to remove and otherwise guard yourself from what adds stress to your day in advance. Ongoing tweaks of habits and daily rituals here and there are the key to ensuring your mental and emotional wellness remains in balance.

Remember, your mind is a temple—and the only one that is responsible for guarding what is fed into your temple and its care is you. Also remember that it is never a good practice to allow stress to build up. You do not have to wait until vacation time or until you have "extra money" to do something about it. By using a few simple practices to make stress management a lifestyle, you can ensure that your temple is secure for not just a moment, but for life.

First Certificate in English Speaking with Examiners

Aquí te dejo un ejemplo de una parte del examen del FCE con algunos consejos por parte del examinador sobre las respuestas de los estudiantes.

Sienna Miller plays Tippi Hedren in HBO's 'The Girl'

Siempre he dado mucha importancia al "listening". Muchos de mis alumnos se sienten frustrados porque no entienden todo lo que se dice, bien sea por problemas de vocabulario o por la velocidad de la conversación.

Mi consejo es siempre el mismo: no es necesario entender TODAS las palabras cuando uno escucha. Casi siempre es suficiente entender las “keywords” o palabras claves para entender el mensaje principal.

Intenta escuchar  este vídeo en el que la actriz Sienna Miller habla sobre su interpretación de Tippi Hendren en la película "The Girl". Se expresa a un ritmo normal, por tanto, busca las palabras principales para entenderla. No importa que no entiendas todo.

Si tu meta es aprender de verdad, tienes que escuchar inglés después o antes de las clases, todos los días.

Actor Hugh Laurie Talks New Album 'Didn't It Rain'

Después de su primer disco "Let them talk", Hugh Laurie presenta su nuevo disco Didn't It Rain'

Aquí os dejo el vídeo para que lo escuchéis. 

¡Vamos sólo dura 4 minutos!

At a Restaurant

Booking a Table	Placing Your Order	Complaining
I'd like to reserve / book a table for four at 8pm, please. I'd like to reserve / book a table for a party of six at 8pm, please. I'd like to book a table for two at 8 in the name of Hand, please. Could we have a table by the window, please? Could we have a non-smoking table, please? Could we have a table away from the kitchen/toilets, please? Could we have a booth, please? Could you make sure it's a quiet table, please?	I'd like the .............., please. For starters I'll have the soup and for the main course I'd like the roast beef. Could I have chips instead of new potatoes, please? What is the house special today? Is there anything you would recommend? Could I see the wine menu, please? I'll have a bottle of the South African Cabernet Sauvignon. I'll have a glass of house red/white, please. Which wine would you recommend?	Excuse me, but my meal is cold. Excuse me, we've been waiting for over half an hour for our drinks. I'm sorry but I ordered the side salad not the vegetables. Excuse me this steak is over done, I ordered rare. I'm afraid this wine tastes corked. Excuse me this wine isn't chilled properly.
Arriving at the Restaurant	During/After the Meal	Paying
Good evening, the name is Hand. I have a table booked for six. Do you have the menu in English/German/French ..., please? Do you have a high chair for young children, please? Could we have a table over there, please? I'm sorry but I asked for a table by the window. Could we have an extra chair, please?	Could we have some more bread, please? Do you have a pepper mill? Could I have some dressing, please? Could you pass me the salt, please? That was delicious. My compliments to the chef.	Could I have the bill, please? Do you take Visa? We'd like separate bills, please. Is service included? No, please. This is on me. (When you wish to pay for everyone.)

Learn with Tiny Texts

Wear the Same Shirt for 100 Days (without washing or ironing) 

If you can’t stand ironing, there’s great news you.  Wool&Prince have invented a shirt that you can wear 100 times before it needs to be washed and ironed. It is made of a type of wool that doesn’t wrinkle and fights off nasty odours too.  The company used a group of testers who wore the shirt while backpacking, clubbing and working out. However, it always stayed fresh and clean, even after one tester crumpled his up and left it in his rucksack all day.  At just under 100 dollars, it’s not  exactly  cheap, but just think about the time you will save, not to mention the reduction in your laundry expenses.

Study the words

can’t stand- strongly dislike

wrinkle- to crease, become full of folds

fights off nasty odours- prevents bad smells

backpacking- travelling around with a large backpack

clubbing- going to dance clubs

 working out- doing physical exercise

crumpled up- rolled into a messy ball

not to mention- in addition to