Author with her husband, her inspiration and first reader.

“When I bug my dear descendant Carolina for not working harder to achieve inner balance and harmony, she comes up with the excuse that stress is a major 21st century disease and that almost everybody suffers from it to some degree. Of course, I tell her that she doesn’t know what stress is until she’s being tracked by a cougar and finds herself smack up against a sheer cliff wall. Nonetheless, I concede that stress can occur in many forms and that overwork and nerves are equally valid as stress factors as those created in the natural world.

“So I figured that in my opening column I could help you guys out by giving you a couple of my surefire remedies to relieve stress. Here they are:

Snap Away Negativity

“As a child were you ever called to the principal’s office for misbehaving? Or as an adult, have you endured a nerve-wracking interview to further your career? If so, you probably recognize the knot in the pit of your stomach—often accompanied by perspiration and lightheadedness—that materializes as you approach the dreaded door behind which the symbol of authority lurks.

“The next time you find yourself about to slip onto the hot seat, snap your fingers and clap your hands three times. You will be amazed at how the tension melts away like fog in the morning sunshine.

Psychic Isometrics

“Whenever you get that sinking feeling that you just aren’t moving along in harmony with the universe, perform this simple exercise. Slowly inhale for seven counts, and imagine that a bright, white light enters your right foot. As you take in the air, visualize the light traveling up the right side of your body to your head.

“Now hold your breath for four counts. Exhale, and count aloud backwards from seven to one. All the while, concentrate on willing the light to rush down the left side of your body and push out accumulated negativity through your left foot.

“Repeat the exercise, only this time, count the exhalation mentally. If you don’t find relief, repeat both steps once more.

“Check in again next month for some of my favorite ‘stress-less’ recipes.”