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Here comes the rain again

Anastasia Gilliam's photo
Little Rock Health and Happiness Examiner
After one of the first storms had passed this sight gave some a false sense of security.The storm was bearing down hard on Hwy. 412 heading West on Monday, April 25, 2011. 3 photosView the full slideshow »
Flood waters rising on Crooked Creek in Yellville, AR., April 25, 2011

By Anastasia Gilliam

If you live in Arkansas or were visiting during the past couple of weeks, the word "thunderstorm" has taken on a whole new meaning. With an estimated 14 inches or more of rain, straight-line winds, tornadoes and massive flooding, this spring has already taken its toll on many Arkansans. With financial or personal losses, it can be easy to slide into feeling down right depressed. How can you keep your chin up in the midst of adversity?

View slideshow: Massive Storms in Arkansas April 2011
  • Rest. Give yourself time to recover from the stress by going to bed thirty to sixty minutes earlier. The quiet time can be a much needed retreat from the worries of the day. Keep your mind from wandering or getting caught up in instant replays of the situation by focusing your attention on your breath. This relaxes the body, oxygenates the blood stream and releases tension. Learning to let go of circumstances beyond your control can reserve your energy and help you regain clarity of mind.
  • Count your blessings. Creating a check list of the things you are grateful for helps you shift your focus from the negative to the positive. The body reacts directly to the thoughts of the mind. When you feel negative thoughts creeping up, catch them in the act of trying to bring you down and shift your focus back to your blessings. Consciously breathe in strength and patience with each inhalation and release any fear, sadness and worry with each exhalation.
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  • Smile! The muscles of the face can stimulate the body's ability to produce "happy" hormones in the body. Faking a smile, even when you don't feel like actually smiling, can produce the same effect. It will lift your spirits and those around you.
  • Take extra care of the body. During times of trouble, the body is weakened by stress. It is vital to drink pure, clean water to help flush toxins from the system. Also important, is fortifying your body with proper nutrition. Now is not the time to grab some fast food or load up on caffeine. These drain your energy, making it harder to think clearly and make sound decisions, they also amplify anxiety and apprehension.

Hang in there folks. The sun is shining somewhere behind all those clouds. Use this opportunity to mindfully practice being patient and reaching out to one another. You'll feel a little better and cultivate stronger relationships.

, Little Rock Health and Happiness Examiner

Anastasia Gilliam, a fitness instructor and holistic lifestyle consultant incorporates a wide variety of restorative techniques and healing modalities that include yoga, dance, singing, cooking and Reiki. Student range from age 6 and up yet her passion is to utilize a creative, therapeutic...

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