Master the Art of Living

Stress results from a wrong definition of life. For most people life stands for 'Living in Fear Everyday'. Insecurities and fears lead you to

ignore the positives leading to a loss of self-belief. The way out of this negative spiral is to change the definition of life to 'Living in Freedom Everyday'.

By making the right choices, you attract positive people and opportunities. Given our busy schedules, it might not always be possible to pursue any single form

of wellness. But you can make small changes from various forms. Motivational speaker and life coach Santosh Joshi gives some easily do-able tips.

In touch with your inner self

Master this simple meditation technique. You can do this while travelling in a bus, train or flight, or even at work. And you only need 15 minutes.

- Sit in a comfortable chair.

- Take a few deep breaths. Focus on the breath going in and out.

- Imagine that your whole body, every pore and cell is breathing. (This helps draw cosmic energy.)

Imbibe the power of music

Sound vibrations stir our inner being. Play spiritual music, hymns and chants as and when you can. Listen to such music while working out or jogging;

your mind wouldn't wander then.

Be around nature

Invest in making your living zone a green area by planting trees. Try and sign up for nature walks once in a while. Else, try and walk barefoot every day for

15 minutes at your nearest park. It's a simple way to connect with nature. The earth element has the capacity to take away negativity.

Have vibrant colours around

Colour therapy is getting popular by the day. Colours emit vibrations that affect our psyche. Eg: Yellow gives confidence, red signifies security, orange signifies

emotional balance and blue improves communication and intuition. Explore its benefits in daily life. Change your drapes, bed sheets, pillow covers, etc. with

primary colours or any colour that makes you happy. Light coloured candles. Wear more vibrant hues. Choose outfits depending on the way you want to project yourself.

Indulge in some laughter therapy

No need to join a laughter club, just try and have a good laugh at least 10 minutes a day. It opens up blocked energy patterns, releases feel-good hormones

and is even good for certain aches and pains. So rent your favourite DVDs or comedy shows and laugh out loud.

Energise your house

Light a candle or diya every morning and evening. Fire has capacity to burn negative energies. Fill your house with fragrance and aromas that relax the mind.

Try and have a water body. Also have open windows; the flow of air takes away negative energy.

Inner child therapy

Each person has an inner child within him/her. Do things you used to as a child -- be it clay modeling, doodling, drawing with colour pencils/crayons or even

jumping into a puddle. They help you get rid of inhibitions and help you explore new areas of life.

Press the right points

Based on acupressure, stimulating pressure points reduces stress. During stress, immediately press points around your eyes, your ear lobes and the point

between your nose and lips. These points have a direct connection to nerve endings that control feelings of unease. Also keep pressing your palms to get immediate relief.

Healthy lifestyle

The point about good sleep, healthy diet and exercise cannot be emphasised enough. If you can't stick to a routine, at least adopt a few good practices.

Like having a 'fruit day' occasionally to cleanse the body. Or drinking enough water to flush out toxins. Another tip is to count your steps while walking,

it improves concentration. Finally, have gratitude; gratitude fills us with positive energy.

Clear clutter

Clear your home, work station and even your car. Most importantly, clear your mind. Clutter creates blocks in the flow of energy within you. When these

blocks remain for long, it spreads all over your body and mind leaving you in a forever irritable and snappy mood.