Give yourself a break!

I have taken 2 weeks off recently and I am currently on my second week, spending it in our family cottage in Devon. I am realising how important it is to truly relax and unwind. Going on long walks, having lots of fresh air, and taking time off to be with your family. I find that sometimes the fast paced life we lead in London can take its toll on us, and we must take time for ourselves.

I read this on Facebook and thought there was a very interesting message in it for all of us:

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."

Remember to put the glass down.

(Courtesy of Jimmy Harmon)

Stress is something that affects all of us. There are plenty of ways of dealing with the stresses of modern day life, and reflexology can really help us cope.