Stress Busting Plan: One Day to De-stress
Looking at all the above, you may find it hard to pick two or three things that will do you the most good. That's not a problem, since you can actually fit them all into one working day - even a really busy one, if you focus. Here's what you should do. 7am Take 5 minutes for the 'Salute to the Sun' yoga exercise (see page 69). 7.15am Take your ginseng supplement. 7.30am Have breakfast. Use this as a time to boost your B vitamins.
A bowl of breakfast cereal topped with skimmed milk, a chopped banana and a handful of raisins is a good choice. Alternatively try poached eggs on toast with a glass of milk and a handful of dried apricots. 9am Get to work and spend ten minutes planning your day and clearing your desk. 11am Have a calming carbohydrate snack (like rice cakes and fruit). 1pm Have lunch. Remember to focus on carbohydrates at this point in the day: jacket potato and salad is a good choice. 1.30pm Go for a half-hour walk outside The activity and the fresh air will help reduce tension and energize you. 3pm Take a 5-minute stretch break at your desk to wipe out tension. 7pm Back at home, conjure up a calming evening meal, such as Calming Chicken Fajitas.
9pm Have a calming detox bath or massage.
10pm Go to bed for a great night's sleep.
Calming Chicken Fajitas (serves two)
2 teaspoons olive oil
175g (6oz) chicken, cut into strips
1/2 red onion, sliced
1/2 red pepper, sliced
1/2 yellow pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons salsa
50g (2oz) lettuce, chopped finely
50g (2oz) grated cheese
4 wholewheat tortilla sheets
50g (2oz) (dry weight) brown rice, cooked
Heat the oil in a frying pan and then add the chicken. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, then add the onion and peppers. Keep frying until the chicken is cooked through and the onion and peppers have softened. In the meantime, take the tortilla sheets and spread these with the salsa (divided equally between them). Leaving 2.5cm (1 in) at the bottom of each sheet and 2.5cm (1 in) to the right, fill them with a quarter of the lettuce and grated cheese. Now top each with the chicken, onion and peppers. Fold the unfilled 2.5cm (1in) of each tortilla over the filling, then roll over to the right until 'sealed'. Serve with the rice.