Another Stress-buster From Nature: the Cucumber

We all know that Feel5ive will relieve stress and help us stay on an even keel. But what if you want an activity you can do that will help you focus on unwinding and letting go while it soothes you?

First step: head to your refrigerator or the grocery store… for a cucumber.
You probably already know that sliced cucumber on your eyelids can relieve tired eyes, but did you know that cucumber steam can relieve anxiety?

Tests have shown its effectiveness, so why not give it a try – especially since the cucumber steam will give your face a skin-smoothing, beautifying treatment at the same time.

Just cut up a whole cucumber and put it in a pot of boiling water. Then breathe.

Here are three more ways that cucumbers can help you relieve stress:

1. Avoid stinky breath by cutting a slice and use your tongue to hold it on the roof of your mouth for about 30 seconds.

2. Avoid hangovers the morning after those holiday parties by eating several slices before going to bed.

3. Snack on low-calorie, vitamin-rich cucumbers before the party to help avoid over-indulgence in those calorie-laden treats that make you cry when you see them resting on your hips come January.

We might have to label the cucumber a "super food."

We all know that cucumbers are low in calories, so are a good snack food for those trying to avoid weight gain. Now you know they'll help you relieve stress.
But did you know that they contain most of the vitamins you need every day? A cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

Meanwhile, be sure to tuck that bottle of Feel5ive into your purse or pocket – for those stressful moments when you're away from your kitchen.

April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day

Are you one of the thousands of citizens who are muddling through every day stressed almost to the breaking point?

Today the news alone is enough to cause stress, even if we didn't have things popping up in our personal lives to add to the pressure.

Recognizing that you're in that state is the first step. Doing something about it comes next, and it IS important. Stress can take the joy out of life from an emotional standpoint, and it can harm your physical health as well.

So try these steps:
* Turn off the T.V. Unless there's something you can DO about radiation leaks in Japan, a missing child in a city 500 miles from you, or a plane crash, just don't listen. Focusing on the bad news will give you more stress.

* Get some exercise. If nothing else, go for a walk.

* Meditate, or do deep-breathing exercises. You'd be amazed how much better you'll feel if you simply take a deep breath, sigh, and look up.

* Spend some quiet time with people you care about. Just making time to connect with those you love can help you de-stress.

* Put a bottle of Feel5ive in your pocket, and use it any time you start to feel tense.

Dr. Bach's original formula will help you get through all of life's stressful moments. From a confrontation with your boss to a dentist appointment, you'll face it more easily with the help of Feel5ive ahead of time. And if the stressful event has already happened, Feel5ive will help you get over it.

Remember, Feel5ive is safe for everyone from your infant to your elderly grand-parent - and even your dog or cat! It can be safely used even by those taking prescription medications, so don't hesitate to use its calming powers.

Do You Suffer From Eye Strain?

Working at a computer all day, working in a dusty environment, or living with stress can all put plenty of undue stress on your eyes, but there are natural, healthy ways to relieve the strain and let you see clearly again.

If you have the luxury of coming home to relax a few moments before getting on with evening chores, try a cucumber slice on each eye for soothing, immediate relief. Then, to remove the debris that may be causing irritation, wash your eyes with an ounce of distilled water containing one drop of pure lemon juice.

To protect your eyes and prevent the strain, try adding colorful fruits and vegetables to your diet. The reds, oranges, and yellows provide Lutein & other carotenoids, and protect the eyes from sun and age damage.

The Red and pink fruits and vegetables contain a range of carotenoids and vitamin C, and protect eyes from free radicals.

Dark green vegetables provide potent antioxidants and prevent age-related damage of the eye.

The dark blues and purples contain Anthocyanin, which protects the eyes from cancer.

While you can buy supplements for eye health at your health food store, the vitamins and minerals in colorful fruits and vegetables will add to your whole body health - and they taste good.

But what if all your vision problems come down to stress? You can either choose a bottle of Feel5ive for generalized stress, or you can dig deeper to find the cause and treat it with one or more of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies.

Start with the guide on the FeelBach! website, then go to www.bachflower.org to learn more about the Bach Flower Essences you've chosen.