December Stress Buster Newsletter

A Merry Stress Free Christmas for Everyone

Christmas is going to be a stressful time for many. A main stress at Christmas is present buying, with 85% of people showing serious symptoms of stress whilst shopping. And this year, we anticipate that number could be even higher with financial concerns having a big impact on how much people spend.

The Stress Management Society has put together a factsheet with advice on how to tackle Christmas stress, available free by clicking here >

There are many stresses at Christmas. Present buying is perhaps the one we feel most keenly as it goes on so long! We are generally enthusiastic when we start buying presents but over time, this enthusiasm declines and we find ourselves working against deadline and budget to find the perfect gifts.

We suggest you do all your present shopping in one day. That really focuses the mind. Write your list of who you are buying for, then shop via the internet as much as possible to avoid crowds, queues and parking problems. We stock a wide range of relaxation products at www.feelkarma.com, for example, and they always sell well at this time of year.

If you do venture to the shops, don’t stop for coffee. Caffeine prompts the body to release cortisol, the stress hormone, which will leave you feeling tense. Instead take a bottle of water with you which will keep you hydrated.

Whenever you are in a queue, try this exercise: breath in for four counts, hold it for 16 counts, then breath out for eight counts. This will focus your mind away from your immediate situation and boost levels of serotonin in your brain.

Christmas is a lot to cope with. But by getting the major tensions under control, we can all have a happier holiday all round.

Special Promotions for New Year

We have put together some fantastic gift ideas to ease your Christmas Shopping stresses, and some discount codes to be gentle on your wallet – do hurry as they expire on 15th December!

Spend £25 or more and receive 5% off your shopping bill, enter code CNY5* or

Spend £50 or more and receive 10% off your shopping total, enter code CNY10*

*The codes are valid for use on any products on the Feel Karma site.

Our sister website www.stressmoodcards.com is running some special FESTIVE PROMOTIONS. Contact us for more information about the special offer prices that are available. Order now, and also receive 6 aroma dough with every order, but hurry...this offer is only valid for orders placed before the end of 2009.

For more information:

• Visit www.stressmoodcards.com
• Call us on 0844 357 8639
• Or email: info@stressmoodcards.com

Stress and Health Assessment

Our new programme has now been available for 2 months and is proving extremely popular and even though the price was scheduled to go up in December we have decided to extend the introductory price till the end of the year.

The feedback we have received on this product has been phenomenal.

That’s good news. But here’s the best news:

We’re offering 12 months of unlimited access for just £9.97. That's a saving of 25% and is less than 3p a day!

Our convenient, on-line assessment will ask you 36 pertinent, probing questions about your emotional and general wellbeing. The process takes just minutes and provides valuable support and observations about how to address any concerns the assessment uncovers.

Our complimentary 19 minute "From Distress to De-stress" 3- Stage Relaxation audio programme includes:

1. Progressive Muscle Relaxation = 4’19”
2. 10 Minute Holiday = 12’00”
3. Energiser = 2’19”

And yes, we’ll be happy to give you a quote if you’d like to purchase multiple access licences for your company or organization. Contact us today for a customized quote.

Take Back Your Brain!

Stress can be considered one of our many ‘brain modes’.

Will you let your brain keep reacting to circumstances or would you like to be able to decide in which mode your brain should be on?

Reconnect with the healing power of rhythm and learn to control your brain activities. Our new partner Body&Brain Holistic Fitness will provide you with a clever set of simple exercises, tools and principles to switch the stress mode off. You will create the ability to switch on the brain mode YOU want to experience.

Body&Brain Holistic Fitness provides a unique combination of training sessions composed of different approaches to restore your Ki energy flow, and an education system taking you from Brain Sensitising to Brain Mastery in 5 stages. At the core of the practice is a method called Brain Wave Vibration  which is a rhythmic exercise designed to harmonize your brain waves and allow you practice to become a conscious creator of your brain wave.

Click here to download a free guidance audio file and try it out right away! >

For more information about becoming the captain of your brain, visit 'Stress and the Brain' >

Practical help for your staffs' mental wellbeing

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has recently published guidance on promoting mental wellbeing through productive and healthy working conditions.

Among non manual workers, stress is the number one cause of long term sickness absence, followed by acute medical conditions, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, musculoskeletal conditions and back pain (CIPD 2008).

Research released by the Mental Health Foundation has found that Massage, Reflexology, advice on nutrition and dietary medicine, acupuncture, transcendental Meditation, hypnotherapy, yoga, exercise, have been shown to aid relaxation, relieve stress and restore energy. These therapies are also used to help moderate the highs and lows of mood swings.

Businesses throughout the UK can now bring these treatments in-house to support their staff’s physical and mental wellbeing and in turn strengthen their bottom line with the new services from the Stress Management Society and its partners.

For further information on how glo’s services can support your staff’s physical and mental wellbeing, please visit Workplace Wellbeing Solutions, or call us on 0844 357 8629 so we can talk to you more about the services they provide.

WANTED! WELLBEING EXPERTS TO JOIN OUR MEMBERSHIP SCHEME

Are you a stress management professional, complementary alternative medical practitioner, management consultant who deals with workplace stress/wellbeing issues or any other professional that deals with stress/wellbeing issues? If you are, you may be able to join The Stress Management Society.
The Stress Management Society is one of the UK’s leading authorities on Stress and by joining an organisation that is active in promoting and publicising stress related issues and management strategies, you can be sure that you are able to contribute to the evolution of this industry as well as access a credible peer group network.

If you are interested in joining the network download and complete the application form and send it back to us along with all the relevant documents >

If you have any questions, please contact Dee on: dee@stress.org.uk or alternatively call 0844 357 8629.

EVENTS DIARY

Survive the stress of caring for kids!
Saturday 20th March – 2pm to 4pm
Driven crazy by your kids (or by someone else’s, come to that)? Whether you’re a parent or a childcare professional, you’ll know the stress of looking after little ones. You’re tense, tired and seldom have time to relax. Come and learn how to cope with The Stress Management Society. Aimed at mothers, fathers, guardians, child carers and child minders.
£29 per person or book with a friend for £50 and receive a free stress squeezer each.
Please call 0844 357 8639 or click here to book >

Feel Karma Stress Management Workshop
Saturday 30th January – 10am to 4pm
Learn stress management techniques including ‘office’ yoga and massage, self hypnosis, breathing techniques and creative visualisation. An uplifting workshop at a discount price. Single ticket price £149, price for 2 tickets £225. BOOK BEFORE 31st DECEMBER 2009 TO GET AN EXTRA SPECIAL DISCOUNT – 33% OFF SO ONLY £99 EACH!    
Click here for details >

Feel Karma Self Hypnosis Workshop
Saturday 27th March – 10am to 4pm
Self hypnosis is a practical tool to get more out of life, from weight loss to deep relaxation. Learn how on this workshop at £139 per person BOOK BEFORE 31st DECEMBER 2009 TO GET AN EXTRA SPECIAL DISCOUNT – ONLY £99 EACH!
Click here for details and to book >

Evening workshops

Feel Karma Stress Gym Workshop
Wednesday 27th January – 7pm – 9pm
The 'Feel Karma' stress management gym teaches some very natural ways to deal with unnatural levels of stress. For example: the breathing technique that makes it impossible to be unhappy, the 10-minute relaxation method that equals three hours’ sleep and why you should always keep a spare sock in your desk drawer in case of stress 'emergencies'! Now at a reduced rate of £39 each or book with a friend and get it for £30 each.
Please call: 0844 357 8639 or click here for more information or to book >

NEW!! - Walk Innovation Walkshop
Monday 1st February, 6pm-7.45pm, Regents Park
If you knew that you only had one month left to live, how would your priorities change?
Come to our Walk Innovation Walkshop and we will help you to:

• Focus on what is working in your life – rather than what isn't
• Walk your talk – rather than sitting down and pondering things
• Meet inspiring, positive and happy people – who will pass on their gifts to you

Our Walkshop is literally a walking workshop. The process of walking energises your learning experience. Our Walkshop is an experience of living in the moment.

Ticket: £15 per person. However, we do have a special 3-for-2 offer running. For more information please click here or call: 0844 357 8629.

 Wishing you all a stress-free Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

Love life and smile!

The Stress Management Society
info@stress.org.uk
http://www.stress.org.uk
http://www.feelkarma.com
http://www.stressmoodcards.com