Stress in the holiday season

Once more it is that time of year - can it really be 12 months since last Christmas? We were going to do our last minute shopping in the one and only supermarket - the Co-op (their slogan is 'We go further so we can rip you off some more')which is 30 miles away in Portree. The naughty council had seen fit NOT to grit the road (even though we are a classified B road) until after 1130. We tried to drive out of the Glen at 1015, and even with a 4 wheel drive, the roads were too bad. We finally made it out at lunch time to do some essential minor shopping in Dunvegan which is 9 miles away.The forecast is not too good over the next few days but we are far better off than most of you in southern Scotland or England/Wales.

The final part of the pre holiday tutorial is how to treat stress with touch therapy. There are scores of acupoints all over the body that deal with relaxation but the most 'powerful two ones are also anterior chakra points ('naturally' - I hear you cry).These points are best treated in lying or relaxed sitting.

CON 6 - anterior Sacral chakra (the Hara point). This is located about two finger widths below the tummy button (umbilicus) on the central line. Take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth making sure that the breath OUT is longer than the breath IN. So if the breath out is to a count of 6, make sure the breath in is to a count of 4. Place either the whole of one hand over CON 6 of both hands either side with the touching middle fingers over the point. When you breath in the tummy should rise and when you breath out it should fall - this is very similar to diaphragmattic breathing. You should feel much more relaxed within about half a minute but carry on with this routine for a couple of minutes. By the way this is an ideal way to commence meditation.

CON 17 - anterior Heart chakra. This is located half way down the sternum on the central line. You may use exactly the same holds as per previously and this point may be used either as a continuation of CON 6 or as a stand alone. This point relaxes the mind as well as the body as it probably has a direct link with the parasympathetic nervous system. Utilise some breathing techniques with it and try it initially for about 5 minutes - you will feel great and will be able to conquer anything - including all those boring friends and relatives. You may even get to like compulsory enjoyment!! Happy Christmas