Between our jobs, our family and the daily news, we all tend to experience some amounts of stress during our day. Here are some natural ways to relieve stress, sleep better and feel more refreshed.

1. Swipe the coffee for some organic Green Tea. Coffee is full of caffeine which raises your heart rate and is a diuretic. It also can be over stimulating. If you still need a caffeine fix in the morning, try drinking Green Tea – it’s full of anti oxidants, rich in flavor, and contains half the caffeine that Coffee does.

2. Get rid of the anger. Whether through Yoga, exercises, gardening or whatever activity you choose, find a physical activity to relieve tension and anger. Exercise, in any form, is one of the greatest natural drugs known to humankind. No over the counter relaxant can beat a good dose of endorphins.

3. Practice proper eating. Besides an obvious organic diet, make sure you’re getting the right amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat for your level of activity. If you’re sedentary, cut back on empty calories. If you work out or do a lot of physical activity, make sure that you are getting the right amount of protein to feed your growing muscles.

4. Drink a cup of chamomile. Before bed, try to have a cup of chamomile tea. The best option is brewing it yourself with actual tea leaves, as opposed to tea bags. Chamomile is a natural relaxant – it helps settle your stomach as well, and will lead you to a great nights sleep.

Stress has become a natural part of our lives, unfortunately. With a little bit of planning and a little bit of effort, you should be able to relieve at least parts of your stress via simple, healthy and effective methods.

This post was written by Maya Richard, who is currently writing about cell Phones . She can be emailed by combining her name gmail.com.

For centuries our ancestors have used a plant known as Hypericum perforatum, commonly referred to as St. John’s Wort, as an herbal remedy for many ailments, including mental disorders, diarrhea, nausea, ulcers and sleep disorders. But St. John’s Wort is most commonly known as a natural, herbal remedy for those suffering symptoms of depression and anxiety.

According to new research published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, St. John’s Wort is effective at treating major symptoms of depression. This new research backs up previous research conducted in 2005, that came to the same conclusions.

In one of the most comprehensive clinical studies of St. John’s Wort to date, researchers studied 5,489 patients suffering symptoms of major depression. Administering both placebos and St. John’s Wort extract to patients, researchers came to the conclusion that St. John’s Wort was more effective than the placebo at treating mild to major cases of depression.

List of Clinical Studies for St. John’s Wort

This isn’t the first clinical study investigating the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort for symptoms of depression. In fact, here is a short list of studies done within the last fifteen years.

1996. St John’s Wort For Depression — An Overview & Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials
1998. St. John’s Wort in Mild to Moderate Depression: The Relevance of Hyperforin for the Clinical Efficacy
1999. St. John’s Wort For Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Well-Defined Clinical Trials
1999. Comparison of Equivalence Between the St. John’s Wort Extract LoHyp-57 and Fluoxetine
1999. Hypericum Extract versus Imipramine or Placebo in Patients with Moderate Depression: Randomised Multicentre Study of Treatment for Eight Weeks
2000. Equivalence of St John’s Wort Extract (Ze 117) and Fluoxetine: A Randomized, Controlled Study in Mild-Moderate Depression
2002. Efficacy of St. John’s Wort Extract WS 5570 in Major Depression: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
2005. Acute Treatment of Moderate to Severe Depression with Hypericum Extract WS 5570 (St John’s wort): Randomised Controlled Double Blind Non-Inferiority Trial versus Paroxetine.
2006. The Efficacy of St. John’s Wort in Patients with Minor Depressive Symptoms or Dysthymia — A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

It must be noted that while there is overwhelming evidence supporting the use of Hypericum perforatum, there has been a few studies with different conclusions. In fact, one major study conducted by the National Institues of Health found that St. John’s Wort made no positive impact on patients suffering from major depression.

Possible Side Effects of St. John’s Wort

It is not uncommon for people to suffer small side effects from St. John’s Wort. Some of these side effects include headaches, nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and/or sensitivity to sunlight.

It is also possible for St. John’s Wort to interact with certain medications, such as birth control or antidepressants, you may already be taking, so it is wise to check with your doctor prior to taking any supplement containing Hypericum perforatum.

Things to Remember with St. John’s Wort

The overall effectiveness of St. John’s Wort depends on many variables. Where does the plant come from? Was it grown in organic conditions? Is it a tablet, powder or liquid? These are all going to affect the overall purity of the supplement. The manufacturing process of any herbal supplement can decrease the overall effectiveness of the benefits you may get from the herb. In fact, it is always best to avoid any supplement in tablet form, due to the brutal manufacturing process and because tablets are harder for the body to absorb.

Hypericum perforatum should NOT be used as a replacement to therapy. Everybody is different, please consult with your family, doctor and/or therapist, prior to taking St. John’s Wort. While it does show promise for treating symptoms of depression, it can also conteract with current medications you may be taking. So, please use caution and common sense.

Bottom line on St. John’s Wort
It is very important to do the proper research on St. John’s Wort, or any supplement you take. Most importantly, know who and where you’re buying the supplement from. Look into the Better Business Bureau records for that specific company. Try to find review’s for that product online, to see what other consumers are saying. You don’t want to ingest something that is of poor quality.

Kava Kava is a member of the pepper family which grows as a bush in the South Pacific. Captain James Cook first discovered kava, and gave the plant the botanical name which means intoxicating pepper. Kava has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal effects as a sedative, muscle relaxant, diuretic, and a remedy for nervousness and insomnia. Kava has also found to be a very effective pain reliever comparable to aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Recent clinical studies have shown that kava is a safe, non addictive anti-anxiety herbal, which is as effective as prescription medications containing benzodiazepines such as valium. However, unlike the prescription meds which may cause confused thinking processes and lethargy, kava actually has been demonstrated to improve concentration, memory and reaction time for people who are suffering from the symptoms caused by anxiety. Kava can be beneficial in achieving a relaxed state of mind without the adverse side effects.

Kava is mildly narcotic and produces mild euphoric changes which elevate the mood, and can also increase the sense of sound. Care should be taken to regulate dosage levels however, as very high dosages can lead to muscle weakness, visual impairment, dizziness, and drying of the skin. Long term usage can contribute to hypertension, reduced protein levels, blood cell abnormalities, or liver damage. Mixing kava with alcoholic beverage intake can increase the action of kava, and should be avoided.

With the exception of the opium poppy, kava is known to herbalists to be the most relaxing drug. Pharmacological studies have shown that kava’s active ingredients, kava lactones, produce a physical and mental feeling of relaxation and well being. It has been used in the treatment of vaginitis, gonorrhea and menstrual cramps. It is also useful for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, bronchial congestion, and cystitis. Kava can also be applied topically as a liniment for pain relief. Because of the relaxed state and sharpening of the senses this herb creates, it is also a powerful aphrodisiac.

One of the main benefits of Kava Kava is that, unlike St. John’s Wort, which requires a cumulative effect in order to be beneficial, kava works within a few minutes to help alleviate anxiety. Kava Kava can be found in many traditional and herbal pharmacies in tablet or capsule form.

NOTE: Do not use if pregnant, nursing, or being treated for depression. (Kava is a temporary mood enhancer and should not be used to treat clinical or severe depression.)

Deep breathing is a critical piece of maintaining good health. Most people overlook it even though the majority of the population breathes rapidly and shallowly, probably indicative of the hurried pace of the world we live it.

Breathing exercises along with muscle relaxation do a number of good things for your life. This is a great exercise as you can see to improve your daily life. It is something you can practice any time you feel the need.

• It lessens your physical response to stress — use it whenever you feel stress setting in.
  • Relieving stress also helps to relax your bowels
• Helps to keep your mind clear — use it whenever you feel unfocused
• In increases the levels of oxygen to your organs — for this reason especially it should be implemented regularly.
  • Because oxygen is key to cleansing, it should be used whenever you perform the 6-Day Advanced Oxygen Cleanse (try for twice daily during the cleanse).
  • It helps when you use it as you sit on the toilet for your bowels to move.

How Do I Do This?

It’s a simple practice that you can use regularly or every once in a while.

• Inhale deeply, slowly, (over a span of about 4 seconds), through your nose
• Hold it for a count of 16 seconds
• Exhale through your mouth, (over a span of about 8 seconds)

Repeat this process nine times.

It’s important that this be a conscious activity for maximum effect. Remember to consciously control your body’s responses. For example, if you’re trying to relax your muscles, then you need to focus on the individual muscles telling them to relax. Often tension is an automatic response that turns into a state of being. So, you have to remind your muscles how to behave.

If we can activate the human brain and awaken these infinite powers inherent in ourselves then we can raise ourselves to higher levels. We can achieve any results we want. In order to operate the brain effectively, it needs to be activated. Being a holistic entity it needs a holistic power supply. Sun energy is the source that powers the brain, which can enter and leave the human body or the brain only through one organ that is the human eye. Eyes are the Sun Energy’s entry door to the human brain. They are also known as the windows of the soul. Recent research has found out that the eye has many functions other than vision. And more information is continuing to be revealed about the functions of the eye. The eyes are complex organs and they have 5 billion parts much more than a spacecraft that has about 6-7 million parts. By this, you can see the immense capacity of the human eye.

HRM asserts that the rainbow is in the eye not in the sky. The seven colors of the sun is only the reflection of what is in the eye. We can create a rainbow anytime we want – go to the garden, just observe below a source of flowing water as the sun moves above. There you will see the rainbow. Eye can receive the entire spectrum of the sunlight. It’s like having a glass window. Eye is the perfect instrument to receive all the colors of the rainbow. Since eyes are delicate parts of the body, we have to use them in such a way that they serve our purposes without getting damaged. Present day teachings and ideas such as don’t look at the sunlight at all –you will damage your eyesight; never go out in the sun as you will get cancer, are causing needless hysteria and paranoia. The more you are away from the nature, the more there is a cause for illness and you will automatically support global corporations. There are definite foolproof ways of getting the benefits of the nature without exposing ourselves to its adverse effects. It is also as intuitive as when the clouds gather we become gloomy. When we see the sun, we feel energetic.

Process

HRM experimented on his own body for three years and devised this method based on trial and error. This can be accomplished by anyone in any part of the world at any time of the year. HRM is not a unique figure and anyone can do this. Now thousands are using this method and achieving results. In Brazil, Australia, Germany, more than 3000 people are subsisting on light. This is a rebirth of a science that was practiced long time ago. Originally this was a spiritual practice in the ancient times and now it is becoming a scientific practice, which can be followed by anyone as described below. Day by day this practice is becoming popular and has become known as the HRM Phenomena.

Safe Sungazing Practice

Sungazing is a one-time practice of your lifetime usually for a period of 9 months. You can break up the practice in three phases. 0 to 3months, 3-6months and 6- 9months. You have to walk barefoot for 45 minutes for the rest of your life. Food makes us commit the maximum pain to others and exploit others. The practice entails looking at the rising or setting sun one time per day only during the safe hours. No harm will come to your eyes during the morning and evening safe hours. The safe hours are anytime within 1-hour window after sunrise or anytime within the 1-hr window before sunset. It is scientifically proven beyond a reasonable doubt that during these times, one is free from UV and IR rays exposure, which is harmful to your eyes. To determine the timings of sunrise or sunset, you can check the local newspaper, which also lists the UV Index as 0 during these times. Both times are good for practice – it depends on individual’s convenience. Sungazing also has the added advantage of getting vitamin A and D during the 1-hour safe period window. Vitamin A is necessary for the health of the eye, the only vitamin that the eye requires. If you sun gaze, the spectacles and the associated power in the eye will go away and this will provide better eyesight without glasses. For those who cannot initially sungaze during the safe periods, sunbathing is an effective method for receiving the sun energy at a slower pace until one is able to sungaze. Best times to take sunbath is when the UV index is lower 2 or below. This usually occurs within the 2-hour window after sunrise or before sunset. Sun bathing during the day is to be avoided, except for during the winter months, when the UV index usually remains at 2 all throughout which is safe for sunbathing. Ccheck your local newspaper to see the published results for UV Index to be sure. Also do not use sunscreen. When body gets heated up you perspire and sweat is a waste product and needs to go out of the body. When you are painted or coated with lotions and creams — they get degenerated and the chemicals enter your body. It is our malpractice -our wrong use- why we blame the sun for skin cancers.

0 – 3 Months

First day, during the safe hours, look for a maximum of 10 seconds. Second day look for 20 seconds at the rising sun adding ten seconds every succeeding day. So at the end of 10 continuous days of sun gazing you will be looking at the sun for 100 seconds i.e. 1 minute and 40 seconds. Stand on bare earth with bare foot. Eyes can blink and/or flicker. Stillness or Steadiness of the eyes is not required. Do not where any lenses or glasses while sungazing.

Why don’t you watch the sun instead of the TV? The intensity of the TV is much more than the rising or setting of the sun. If you can watch TV at close ranges for extended periods of time, you can easily watch the rising or setting sun safely. Have a belief that the sunrays or lights that you are getting into your eyes are of immense benefit and will not harm you. This will give you earlier, quicker and better results. Even without a belief component also you will get the results provided that you follow the practice, however, it will take longer time. On the other hand, you need not restrict any of your normal daily routines. There are no restrictions. You can enjoy your food while applying this practice. Hunger will disappear eventually by itself.

You may consider gazing from the same place at the same time daily. Following circadian patterns has its advantages. If you pray, you can have any prayer of your choice. No particular one is suggested and it is not a requirement. As a precaution, have your eyes examined by a doctor. This is to err on the side of caution from a scientific standpoint. Also, you should have periodic check ups. Additionally, you can buy photo sun-cards to monitor UV and IR radiation, which are priced at about $2. (when cards are kept in the sunlight). There is no need to buy an expensive $500 photosensometer. If your cheeks get heated up then stop gazing. Use common sense.

When you reach three months you will have gazed at the sun 15 minutes at a stretch. If you can watch TV for 3 hours, surely you can see the sun for that long. What is happening as you go up to 15 minutes? The sun energy or the sunrays passing through the human eye are charging the hypothalamus tract, which is the pathway behind the retina leading to the human brain. As the brain receives the power supply through this pathway, it is activated into a brainutor. One of the software programs inherent in the brain will start running and we will begin to realize the changes since we will have no mental tension or worries. Besides, we will have the self-confidence to face life problems by means of developing a positive mindset instead of a negative one. Moreover, we will become fearless since our psychosis will have disappeared so will have all the ills of the mind. This is the first phase of the method and lasts around 3 months.

Humans have good and bad qualities, which are 2 sides of the same coin. In the absence of the sunlight we develop bad qualities. When sunlight enters the brain, good qualities come into appearance replacing bad ones. Eventually, even spiritual ignorance goes away. Sometimes, you get confused from what you hear and read. You get contradictory information such as red wine is good for you and alcohol is bad for you. You are baffled with life’s problems and detest decision-making. But after 3 months of sun gazing, you develop a sense of confidence and know the answers for yourself spiritually. There is a balance of the mind, where you are in a position to judge personal answers – the correct answers. You develop powers that are already inherent in you. Bad qualities disappear, anger, greed, jealousy leave you. You become a lovable creature. Everybody likes you. You will do no wrong. If you are positive or fearless, you will not harm anybody nor pain anybody. You will become a compassionate person. This is a great contribution to world peace. A positive approach creates solutions to problems and waste in society. There will be no need for environmental engineers. We won’t throw waste, as there is no away. By 3.5 months everything changes.

Besides, mental depression will go away. Psychiatrists are observing that sadness is caused by lack of sunlight. With the practice of sungazing you will not have depression in your whole lifetime. You will achieve a perfect balance of mind. Fear of death will go away. The state of mind is such that you will welcome death. What is to happen, you will be able to let it happen. There will be no worries. Everyone has some sort of mental disorder, which is the biggest human problem, which can be removed by the proper use of sunlight.

3 – 6 Months

Next, Physical diseases will start being cured. 70 to 80% of the energy synthesized from food is taken by the brain and is used up in fueling tensions and worries. With a lack of mental tension, brain does not require the same amount of energy as before. As you proceed in sun gazing and as your tensions decrease the need for food intake will go down.

When you reach 30 minutes duration of continuously looking at sun, you will slowly be liberated from physical disease since by then all the colors of the sun will have reached the brain through the eye. Brain regulates the flow of color prana appropriately to the respective organs. All the internal organs get ample supply of the required color prana. The vital organs are dependent on certain sun color prana. Kidney red, Heart yellow, Liver green etc. Colors reach the organs and address any deficiencies. This is how color therapies work –Reiki and Pranic Healing. There is a lot of information available on color therapy. This is the process of getting liberated from physical ailments over a six-month period. After 3-4 months you can become cured of your physical ailments with autosuggestion, which is imagining and visualizing healing your ailments while gazing at the sun. Scientific methods such as the Solariums, crystals, color bottles, natural stones, gems, all utilize sun energy, which is stored in these natural stones. You can keep natural color stones in drinking water to further hasten healing.

In solariums there is usually a platform at the height of 100 feet where each of the 7 glass cabinets is constructed for each of the VIBGYOR colors. This platform revolves around the sun whole day and according to the nature of the disease diagnosed, the patient is placed in the appropriate color for healing. Similarly, glass drinking water bottles with different colors are kept in sun for 8 hours. The water gets solarized and water develops medicinal value and is used to treat different diseases.

Photosynthesis, which we misunderstand, does not in fact need chlorophyll. Only the plant kingdom needs chlorophyll. Human body can do it with a different medium. Photosynthesis is transforming the sun energy into a usable energy format. This is how Photovoltaic cells work and electricity is produced, similarly water is heated, food is cooked in solar cooker, and solar batteries run automobiles.

Eyes receive the entire spectrum of the sunlight, which is distributed to the different parts of the body by the brain on a need per basis. As a result, you are cured from all diseases. A 3rd intermediate medium is avoided. As you continue gazing at the sun, energy is no longer being used up for mental impairments or physical ailments; thus its storage level increases in your body. You are your own master within 6 months.

6 – 9 Months

In 6-months time you will start to have the original form of micro food, which is our sun. Additionally, this can avoid the toxic waste that you take into your body while you eat regular food.

7.5 months and 35 min of sun gazing is when hunger starts going down palpably. Need for food intake decreases. No one needs to eat more than his or her hunger levels. Hunger comes because of energy requirements of the body, which is a must for its existence. Food is not a necessity for the body to function, only energy is. Conventionally, you are indirectly getting the sun energy while eating food, which is a by-product of sun energy. If there is no sunlight, no food will grow.

Therefore, as you consume the original form of food, hunger goes down starting to disappear eventually. By eight months, you should see hunger almost gone. For a dull or weak student or with no belief, this time period may be 9 months or 44 minutes. After that time, hunger disappears forever. All mechanisms associated with hunger like aroma, cravings, and hunger pangs also disappear. Moreover, energy levels are at a higher level. There is a judgment (having had this experience) that the brain is well activated with the sun energy. Welldone, you have become a solar cooker.

After 9 Months

After nine months or when you reach to a 44 minutes level, you should give up sun gazing since solar science prohibits further gazing for the sake of eye care. The body will get discharged when you stop practicing, which has to be recharged. Now you have to start walking on bare foot on bare earth for 45 minutes daily for a total of 6 days. Relaxed walking only. No need to walk briskly, jog or run. Any convenient time of the day is all right, however it is preferred to do that when the earth is warmer and the sunlight is falling on your body. When you walk bare foot, an important gland in the brain’s center called the pineal gland or the third eye is activated. The big toe of the foot represents this gland. 25 years ago it was considered a useless gland. Now it has become an important gland for study and up to now, about 18,000 papers have been published about it. It has always been known as the Seat of the soul. The Pineal gland has optic nerve endings. The remaining four toes represent glands too — pituitary, hypothalamus, thalamus and amygdala. Amygdala for the last 2 years has been gaining importance in medical research. It’s a nucleus of the sun or cosmic energy and plays an important role in the photosynthesis via the sunlight reaching the brain through the eye. When you walk bare foot, your body weight stimulates all these 5 glands through your toes. This is strengthened by the earth heat/energy and the sun prana falling on the head or the crown chakra. The chakras are not in the spinal cord that is an imaginary location; they are definitely in the brain. All these create a magnetic field and the body/brain recharges with the energy of the sun entering in you. Relax. Walk 45 minutes for one year and food continues to be away from you. After one year of recharging, if you are satisfied with your progress you can give up barefoot walking. Few minutes of sun energy falling on you once in 3-4 days will be enough from then on.

But if you want the immune system to strengthen, then keep on the bare foot walking. Also if you want memory power or intelligence to increase, continue the walking practice. As you increase the sun’s heat on your feet the brain will activate more and more, which will result in the more activity of the Pineal gland. The Pineal gland has certain psychic and navigational functions. Navigational means one can fly like the birds. You can develop psychic skills of telepathy, television and have your body at different places simultaneously. Science has validated human psychic functions and medical experiments are being done to ascertain this. Different body parts and its organs get purified once you stop eating due to detoxification. The different internal organs play different mechanical parts for the purposes of space travel and flight. There is another utility value (other than food digestion) for the internal organs. All the glands have a lot of functions and can perform at optimal level via sun energy. If you are fortunate to activate the brain optimally you surely will reach enlightenment. You can read past, present, and future. This method can be safely applied to control obesity. Almost all problems get solved.

Historically, a lot of people have remained without food. Accordingly in 1922, the Imperial Medical College in London decreed that solar rays were the ideal food for humans. However, no one has mentioned what their technique was– For e.g. Yogananda in his book ‘autobiography of yogi’ interviewed many saints and mystics to find out the secret of their lack of eating food.common reply was that the sun energy entered through a secret door and reached the medulla oblongata in the brain. They did not divulge their secret. This knowledge was lost to common folk at the time.

Often times when people are stressed out by everyday life and circumstances they turn to prescription drugs for relief. While some of these drugs may help ease stress, they are only a temporary solution to the problem.

So is there a natural way to treat anxiety? The good news is..YES! Holistic medicine has become popular within the last 5 years and more people are looking for a safer alternative in treating anxiety. Here are some ideas to consider if you or someone you know need a help with anxiety.

1 - Take 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil daily to improve hormone balance and natural mental wellness.

2 - Make a herbal sachet or small pillow stuffed with cotton and herbs for relaxation at night. Use lemon balm leaves, chamomile, catnip and valerian and keep it next to your pillow at night.

3 - Consider using St. John’s Wort, another herbal remedy for depression and anxiety. Dubbed “herbal Prozac” by some, St. John’s wort can be grown at home, or purchased in herb or supplement form. Again, take under the recommendations of a professional.

4 - Try Native Remedies’ Pure Calm supplement (see link under resources, below) as a natural treatment for anxiety. This alternative medicine combines herbs in a liquid form for fast assimilation.

5 - Try Kava in capsule or drink form. One of the primary herbs used to treat anxiety, Kava is a root known for its calming effect on the nervous system. It is a mild sedative and used to help treat tension, too. It can not be used in conjunction with prescription medicines, however. Kava should only be taken a few times a week. Contact an herbalist or homeopathic doctor for proper dosages.

Note*

Anxiety disorders often occur with other illnesses.

It is common for an anxiety disorder to accompany depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or another anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can also co-exist with illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid conditions, and migraine headaches. In such instances, the accompanying disorders will also need to be treated. So, it is important, before beginning any treatment, to have a thorough medical examination to determine the causes of symptoms.

What Exactly Is a Stress Ball?

A stress ball is an object that fits in the palm of your hand and can be easily squeezed to decrease muscular and emotional tension. It may be in the shape of a ball, or it may be something a bit more interesting, such as a funny face, a body part, or a pack of cigarettes (for those trying to quit!)

How Does a Stress Ball Work?

Whenever you make a fist, regardless of whether or not you have something in your hand, you create muscle tension. And when you release your grip, your muscles relax. This process of acute muscle tension and relaxation can flush out muscle tension and relieve stress. You can perform this stress management technique without a stress ball, by simply tensing and relaxing the muscles or your hands, or anywhere on the body that tension exists. But a stress ball gives you something to focus on and may aid in relieving stress.

What Other Benefits Do Stress Balls Have?

Stress balls have been used for years for a wide range of medicinal reasons. Stress balls were used in ancient civilizations to relieve stress, improve coordination, prevent arthritis and rheumatism, stimulate blood circulation, help during physical therapy and assist with meditation. Stress balls may also help in the prevention or treatment of carpal-tunnel syndrome.

Type 1: The Balloon Stress Ball

This is a fun and easy stress ball that can easily be made alone, but like many things, it’s usually more fun to make it with a friend. After you finish making this stress ball, decorate it with stickers, or paint a funny face on it. Just be sure to use decorations that will not irritate or rub off on your hand as you are squeezing it!

Instructions:

1. Look for a small, thick, round balloon.
2. Blow it up until it is about 4-5 inches around. (Don’t tie the balloon yet!)
3. Pinch the top of the balloon shut an inch or 2 from the hole.
4. Place a small funnel inside the opening of the balloon.
5. Using the funnel, pour cornstarch into the balloon.
6. Slowly release the top of the balloon so the cornstarch can slide down.
7. Continue adding cornstarch until your balloon is about three inches in diameter.
8. Tighten the end of the balloon and slowly let out any remaining air.
9. Tie the balloon closed as near to the cornstarch as you can.

Type 2: The Dough Ball Stress Ball

Get a friend to help you with this project, as it can be kind of tricky to insert each balloon into the next. Once you are finished, you can carefully poke holes in the outermost layer to create fun polka dots!

Instructions:

1. Mix together one half-cup salt, one-cup flour, one-tablespoon oil, one-teaspoon cream of tartar and one cup water.
2. Heat dough in a pot on low heat until mushy, stirring constantly.
3. Knead dough on floured surface until smooth.
4. Allow dough to cool for one hour.
5. Gather three or four balloons and cut the neck off of all but one of them.
6. Form a ball of dough about two to three inches across.
7. Stuff the dough into the balloon. (The more dough you use per balloon, the less squishy your stress ball will be.)
8. Stretch the balloon over the dough and immediately insert this balloon into the next one hole first (so that the second balloon completely covers the hole of the first one.)
9. Insert your balloon/dough ball into another balloon the same way.
10. Insert your balloon/dough ball into the last balloon, and tie off at the neck.
11. Decorate your stress ball with a face, legs, or silly sayings!

Whether you make custom stress balls or buy them as gifts, they can be a great way to show appreciation and help relieve stress.

Warning: One reader reported that her cat somehow got a hold of the stress balls while she was away. Needless to say, the cat made quite a mess and left the reader with a house full of sand. So if you have cats or any other pets in the house, make sure you put these stress balls out of their reach.

Related Article

>> http://www.ghchealth.com/stress-effects.html
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