Stress Relief Archives - Page 2 of 6

Mindfulness for Teachers and Students

Before the school year begins, teachers in the St. Louis Public School District will learn mindfulness and stress relief for wellbeing. Since the pandemic, our teachers have been especially challenged. Their wellbeing is vitally important. The more they know–the more they will share with their students. All will be learning breathing techniques and practices for calm and focus.

As a Mindset and Meditation Coach, and Certified in Guided Imagery and Stress Management, I’m excited to be collaborating with St. Louis Public School Administrators to train their teachers. We will be helping all build emotional resilience to be more successful in learning and in life.

Teachers need a high dose of self-care as they experience one of the most stressful jobs. When they can take better care of their wellbeing, the students will benefit instead of nerves and patience spiraling out-of-control.

This is where meditation, guided imagery, and mindfulness may help. Research shows that when we practice meditation and guided imagery, it can lower rates of anxiety and depression, and may help with sleep. It can also help with schoolwork and focus, as well as building stronger relationships.

Studies show when we calm the mind and body through yoga, meditation, and other mind-body practices, the brain develops new neural pathways that enhances the creative areas, and shuts down the reptilian “Fight or Flight” part of the brain that’s stuck in fear.

Other school leaders throughout the country have also discovered that mindfulness and meditation may be a better way to handle detention and conflict.

From pediatric studies around the globe, children’s anxiety and depression rates may have doubled since the start of COVID-19. Help our teachers and students succeed in life and build emotional resilience! If you’re a teacher or parent or influencer, let your school leadership know about our training services on emotional resilience.

Wishing you peace!

Vicki

Vicki Atlas Israel is the author of “Inner Power Now”, a Certified Guided Imagery Practitioner and Meditation Coach. #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Canfield, who co-created “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” wrote the foreword to Vicki’s book. Atlas is passionate about bringing more peace and healing to children and adults.

Freedom from Stress

Uncategorized

Happy 4th of July! I often write an article on this topic “Freedom from Stress.” This year seems even more important.

Do you know we now have a name for what many of us have been experiencing? It is called “Post-Pandemic Stress Disorder.” You may have noticed it in yourself or others–feeling out-of-sorts, more isolated, sad or anxious. You may also be feeling grief over loved ones or a loss of what was.

New Poll Shows Americans in Survival Mode

A March 2022 poll conducted by the American Psychological Association suggests that Americans are in “survival mode” due to reports of high stress levels caused by inflation, higher gas prices, the ongoing pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine. Given these stressors, it’s crucial that we support stress management at work and at home. As we may know burnout, anxiety and depression are on the rise.

All of this is a wake-up call. Even with all of this turmoil, we have a choice in how we react to stress. Now, more than ever, we must embrace our suffering self with love and compassion and find ways to release. Taking time out to connect with our inner self–our inner power--gives our mind, body, and spirit time to heal and reenergize.

We also need more time for self-care and to do activities that we enjoy. Think about that for a moment. Sometimes we are spinning out of control in negative thoughts. We become so distracted by our thinking brain that we lose the part of our higher self and what matters most. It is during these times that we need to step away from the stress.

Reboot Your Life and Surrender Stress Coming Soon!

Stay Tuned for a special program I’ll be announcing later this month called: “Reboot Your Life: Surrender Stress“

It’s vital to step away from your chattering brain or “monkey-mind” and breathe deeply. Resting from all that mental chatter allows flashes of insight to emerge. It’s important to take time to walk outside in nature, daydream, listen to music, or simply rest and just be. These brain breaks allow us to open up to our true source and let go of our worries.

Also, invite your children or teens to just “BE.” Turn off their devices. Get some sunshine. Use their imagination to dream again!

Remember to join our “Reboot Your Life: Surrender Stress.” To get a sample of what’s in store, here’s a Guided Imagery and Meditation that you may download below.

Wishing you peace!

Vicki

Vicki Atlas Israel is an Author, Certified Guided Imagery Practitioner, Meditation Mindset Coach. Atlas is passionate about bringing more peace and healing to children and adults. She’s helping high-achieving professionals, parents and children with stress relief. Awaken to your best life with love, hope, and healing. You may also schedule a complimentary Inner Power Breakthrough session.

Are You Connected to Your Inner Guide?

Mindfulness, Mindset

Have you reached out to your Inner Guide lately? It’s the part of you who is eternal, unlimited, and knows your potential. Your wiser self is forever patient and enlightened. It understands your life and knows it could help, if you would simply call. It may be especially helpful with the cloak of darkness that many of us feel these days.

The heart is where we connect to our soul and higher self. Remember that your higher self is the part of you, who wants only your highest good. But many of us feel disconnected from our inner power. Due to stress, depression, illness, or just the busyness of life, we feel out of touch.

How Do We Connect to Our Inner Guide?

Remember this. When you are feeling stressed, you are away from spirit. When you are feeling calm and centered, you are more connected to your wiser, higher self.

It’s helpful to remember that we are resilient. Practicing meditation and guided imagery will help you better cope with life on life’s terms with more ease, while being open and connected to something higher. You also will open up to the more compassionate and creative parts of your brain.

My book Inner Power NOW helps us connect to that light source within to feel more empowered. I have included a few chapters for teens, because there’s a huge need to help them with anxiety and stress. As you may know, teens face enormous pressure these days. Especially now, with what they have experienced in the last 30 months, they need tools to quiet their minds and find a safe space within.

Stress Relief for Teens and Adults

Teens and young adults will gain enormous strength from connecting to their Inner Guide that will help them when times are tough. When we go within through meditation or Guided Imagery, we lower the stress hormone cortisol. That’s a physical change and in terms of our mind. Meditation and guided imagery will help teens to become more aware of their thoughts, as well. They can witness a worry thought, without getting caught up in the fear.

If you would like to learn more about connecting to your higher guidance, schedule a complimentary Inner Power Breakthrough session with me. You will come away with knowing the three to five things that may be holding you back and the one thing to move forward.

With gratitude,

Vicki

Vicki Atlas Israel is an Author, Certified Guided Imagery Practitioner, Meditation Mindset Coach. Atlas is passionate about bringing more peace and healing to children and adults. She’s helping high-achieving professionals, parents and children with stress relief. Awaken to your best life with love, hope, and healing. Schedule your complimentary Inner Power Breakthrough session.

Stress Awareness Month

Mindfulness, Mindset

April is National Stress Awareness Month. As you may know, a small amount of stress may be helpful. It can make you feel alive and excited. It can motivate you to take action and get tasks completed. But too much stress can cause negative effects such as a change in your mood, your body or cause relationship issues.

We know what it is like to feel stressed and feeling under pressure is a normal part of life. But becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse, especially due to the pandemic.

Be Proactive

Do you know that nearly 90-percent of doctor visits are related to stress? Be proactive. Become aware. Research shows Chronic stress can lead to physical issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, digestive problems, anxiety, and depression. Learn ways to destress. Here’s one way to calm stress.

What is interesting about awareness is that once you bring awareness to stress, the stress begins to dissolve. This takes you out of your stressful worry thoughts and brings you to the present moment.

Use this “Universal” breath the next time you’re feeling stressed out. STOP, take a breath by taking a minute-break. Breathe in deeply for a few moments, deep belly breath…feeling you are breathing through every cell of your skin. Become aware of the present moment by being aware of each and every cell, while breathing deeply into your belly. That’s right. That’s right. Then letting go releasing a grey mist of excess energy. Then repeat, “Universal” breath in…

Dr. Bernie Siegel Radio Show

The famous pioneer of holistic medicine Dr. Bernie Siegel will be interviewing me about my book “Inner Power NOW”, and the NEW Inner Peace Time app on his internet radio show “Mind Health Matters.” I’m so excited! Dr. Siegel wrote the International Bestseller, “Love, Medicine, and Miracles,” along with a dozen other best selling books. The Bernie Siegel radio show is part of Dreamvisions7radio.com and the Omega Institute programs,

Broadcast dates: April 21^st 11:00 PM and and April 22^nd at 11:00 AM CT. Click on this link to hear the live show with Vicki.

Tomorrow Thursday 4/14 at 11:30 CT, I will be part of “Inspiring Author Conversations” with Cathy Davis, Davis Creatives. Our topic: Meditation and Journaling in your Writing. Click here to sign up:

If you know of podcast shows or “Lunch and Learns” that feature guests like me, please respond back to this email with contact name and email. I appreciate your help and thanks again for being part of our Inner Peace community.

Sending love and light!!

Vicki

Vicki Atlas Israel is a Mindset and Meditation Coach, and the Amazon bestselling author of “Inner Power NOW.” The Foreword is written by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Jack Canfield, co-creator of “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” High-achievers hire Vicki to improve their wellbeing to live their best life. Vicki is also passionate about bringing more inner peace to parents, children, and those who work with children.

Sleep Awareness Month

Visualize Guided Imagery

“Finish each day before you begin the next, and interpose a solid wall of sleep between the two.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Since March is Sleep Awareness Month, how is your sleep these days? According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1-in-3 Americans suffer from sleep issues. So I’m talking to the third of you who have experienced racing thoughts making it hard to fall asleep. To make matters worse, when you get little sleep, you may feel even more frazzled. You know the feeling: tossing and turning, dreading mornings, knowing you barely had any sleep.

I’m one who had suffered with insomnia until I received help to improve my sleep. I became a Certified Guided Imagery Practitioner after I experienced a major difference with daily Guided Meditation for sleep and stress relief. Now, I’m on a mission to help others. Get help if you need it. In the meantime, try a few of these strategies to help you relieve stress so you can unwind and sleep better, too.

Take time to unwind before bedtime. One hour before bedtime, avoid doing anything stimulating or stressful. That means avoiding social media, catching up on work, texting, and turning off all electronic devices. Instead, dim the lights and possibly read a good book, take a warm bath, do some gentle stretching or listen to relaxing music
Tame Your MIND. Spend time doing a calming routine—such as deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation before you go to sleep. Make sure to include exercise and movement earlier in the day to relieve stress.
Listen to Guided Imagery and Meditation. Our new app “Inner Peace Time” is perfect for the whole family to relax and get a good night’s rest. We now offer a FREE 7-day trial to experience these beautiful relaxing, healing journeys. For adults and teens, you may listen to Blissful Sleep, and Body Scan and for Children, we feature the popular Sleepytime Dreams and Relax You Body. One membership is good for whole family, too!

Learning a few mindfulness techniques can help, too. Also consider working with a Meditation Coach who can help you learn mindful tools and meditation techniques to prevent worries from sabotaging your sleep. The more tools you know and use, the more you will awaken to more joy and a better night’s rest.

Wishing you the best!

Vicki

Patti’s Success Story

Mindset, Visualize Guided Imagery

I want to tell you about true bravery and share a coaching success story. A dear client of mine Patti Z. recently had a serious health scare.

Just days after her daughter’s wedding, Patti collapsed from Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection or (SCAD.) Patti survived the trauma but it can be fatal.

Patti said a few miracles saved her life that day, including her husband being home when she fell, instead of being at work.

What is SCAD?

According to the Heart Foundation’s website, SCAD is a rare life-threatening condition which affects a tear in the coronary arteries. SCAD happens suddenly and without warning. The symptoms can resemble a heart attack, so it’s important to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Since the incident, Patti has been recovering and is becoming stronger daily through cardiac rehab and other therapies. She also has experienced some memory loss, but she is hopeful these will return.

How Patti Uses Meditation to Cope

Through all these health challenges, Patti has kept up her mind-body practices almost daily. She either meditates, uses guided imagery, or pauses to breathe to remain calm and centered. Being a coaching client of mine, Patti has learned that overreacting to stress can impact her health.

The Mayo Clinic says extreme physical or emotional stress can be triggers to SCAD. But the large majority of people who have experienced SCAD go on to live healthy lives without further problems.

The good news is that Patti is learning to let go and take a vital PAUSE in her life as needed. Patti’s story is truly AMAZING—a miracle–and I am so proud of her!

Wishing you the best!

Vicki

PS: Please book a complimentary Breakthrough Session if too much stress is affecting your health and happiness.

Vicki Atlas Israel is a Mindset and Meditation Coach, and the Amazon bestselling author of “Inner Power NOW.” The Foreword is written by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Jack Canfield, co-creator of “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” (R) High-achiever women hire Vicki to improve their wellbeing to live their best life. Vicki is also passionate about bringing more inner peace to parents, children, and those who work with children.