Hi and welcome. If you really want to use stress reduction techniques...
... here you'll find practical information about how to implement my favorite approaches to stress reduction.
I'm Kathryn Yarborough and I've been practicing different stress reduction techniques for over twenty years.
Do you want to decrease your stress level?
I created this website to share with you – and others like you – what I've learned and invite you into a world without unnecessary stress or upset.
So while I know in my heart of hearts that it is possible for us to create a world without unnecessary stress and upset... I have a funny story to share with you about how I'm not quite there yet.
Last week, my pre-teen son and I went to the movies. I like to get to the movies early so that I can get a snack and relax and see the previews. I really like to see the previews.
On this particular day, we decided at the last minute to go and when we got to the theater the ticket lines were long. I felt my tension rise as I stood in the self-ticketing line behind people who were REALLY slow.
By the time I met up with my son in the snack line - I was tense and annoyed. Thank goodness we didn't have to wait in the snack line.
However, as we were walking to our movie theater I was still tense and for some reason I decided to tell my son that I was creating a website about stress reduction techniques.
He thought I was nuts! And in his honest way he pointed out how stressed I was in that moment.
Needless to say - I recognized the truth of what he was saying.
So we all get stressed - even someone who practices stress reduction techniques regularly.
It's not that you or I won't ever get stressed - it's what we do once we realize we are that matters.
What I did that day was...
I evaluated what about that situation was stressful to me... I realized that I had some preconceived ideas of how I wanted everything to turn out. And I was attached to them.
I thought,"I've got to get inside on time - if I don't I may have to sit somewhere I don't want to sit or I could miss the previews or part of the movie - and I'd have wasted my money."
What I know now is that... When I trust the present moment, BE HERE NOW, and know that everything is unfolding perfectly...
Then whatever happens is exactly right for me.
Here on this website, if you want, you can learn how to use a lot of stress reduction techniques, access the present moment, let go of tension, release your attachments to how you think life is supposed to be, relax and feel at ease.
Based on my experience, the ABSOLUTE, most important of any of the stress management techniques you can learn is diaphragmatic breathing - it's a great relaxation technique.
It's relatively easy to learn and once you've learned it, you don't have to practice every day... but you might want to because it feels so good!
But if conscious breathing isn't for you...
On this site I write about twenty of my favorite approaches to stress reduction.
1 Mindfulness
2 Diaphragmatic and Conscious Breathing - The Most Important! 3 Relaxation
4 Movement
5 Expressing your Emotions 6 Stop Worrying - Change your Thoughts
7 Clear Communication
8 Acupuncture
9 Fostering Friends 10 Just Do It
11 Nourishment
12 Massage Therapy 13 Playing
14 Nature 15 Using the Law of Attraction
16 De-clutter
17 Living in Alignment with Purpose 18 Meditation
19 Spiritual Practice
20 What is Stress?
When we feel relaxed-and-at-ease, we’re most likely going to…
Move our body regularly
Breathe deeply and fully
Eat nutritious food that feels good in our bodies
Think positively and have an “I’m open to possibility” attitude
Be present – in this moment (Can I say this too much?)
Feel our emotions as they arise and NOT be afraid of them
Have great relationships with positive and loving people in our lives
Do work that feels aligned with our Purpose, easy and joyful to do, and of service to others
Know that we are connected to Source
So let's get started...
Click on these links to find out A WHOLE LOT MORE!
What's New at Relaxed and At Ease Articles about stress and stress reduction techniques including approaches related to breathing, communication, emotional intelligence, bodywork, changing thinking, and more.
Kathryn Yarborough About Kathryn Yarborough, dance/movement therapist, manifestation coach, founder of the Center for Embodied Consciousness
Breathing - A Stress Reduction Technique Diaphragmatic breathing is the most powerful stress management technique available to us. Conscious breathing supports us in being present in the moment and relaxing throughout our day.
Move Your Body Move your body with exercise, gentle movement, mindful movement and expressive movement to decrease stress and tention and help you relax
How are You Feeling Today Identifying and expressing your feelings is an important stress management technique and the practice of asking yourself - how are you feeling today starts it.
Seven Ways to Stop Worrying and Reduce Stres Worrying is caused by thinking negatively about the future, seven ways to stop worrying including changing thinking, being in the present moment, and learning about postive thinking
Acupuncture Receiving acupuncture treatments can help change your body's habit of being tense or stressed and create balance in your whole being
Fostering Friendships Having fun with friends and being supported by friends can help manage stress, fostering friendships is a healthy stress management technique
Stop Procrastinating If you just do it and stop procrastinating, you will be surprised at how much better you will feel and how less stressed and depressed you'll be
Good Nutrition Stress Management What you eat and drink affects your body's ability to re-balance itself. Good nutrition stress management supports your overall well-being.
Massage Therapy Use Massage Therapy for one of the most enjoyable stress management techniques you can experience, what to expect and find a massage therapist
Play Spontaneous, creative play gets us in the moment and helps us decrease stress management and relax - how to play and have fun
Nature and Stress Going outside often and being in nature can rebalance, relax and restore our bodies, minds, and hearts
Law of Attraction You can use the Law of Attraction to attract ANYTHING into your life including a feeling of ease, relaxation, and balance
Declutter and De-Stress When we're surrounded by stuff, can't find what we're looking for, overwhelmed with things, to help decrease stress, it's a good idea to declutter and get organized
How to Express Your Feelings Several creative and expressive techniques if you want to learn how to express your feelings
Life Purpose When we discover and align our actions with our life purpose, life in general becomes easier and and less stressful.
Spirituality - a Stress Management Technique When we use spiritual practices like prayer, meditatation, breathwork, and mindful movement to remember our connection with Source, spirituality helps us know there is no need for unnecessary stre
What is Stress? By understanding what is stress, how it works, the types of stress and it's impact on our health, we can more easily make choices to reduce stress
Stress Reduction Coaching - Help to Reduce Stress Learn, practice and stay motivated to use stress reduction techniques with Kathryn Yarborough, live video stress reduction coaching and in person coaching in Howard County, Maryland