Chrysler Celebrates National Relaxation Day and Stresses the Importance of Taking Daily Mini-Breaks
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-- Teaming up with renowned stress expert, Dr. Erin Olivo, on August 15, National Relaxation Day, Chrysler offers simple tips to help 'on the go' consumers relax and de-stress
-- Vehicles, such as the 2008 Town & Country, offer comforting features that can help bustling consumers take a breather and feel right at home while on the road
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 15 -- Whether commuting to and from work, dropping the children off at school or extracurricular activities, or heading to volunteer and social engagements, Americans are constantly "on the go." In fact, research shows the average woman over the age of 18 spends most of her time driving and taking care of the children, which means women leave little time for themselves to relax(1). To make it easier for consumers to relax during their daily routines, today's vehicles, such as the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country, have comforting features that blur the line between home and vehicle.
In recognition of National Relaxation Day, Chrysler partnered with renowned stress expert, Dr. Erin Olivo, to spread awareness about the importance of setting aside "me-time" to give the body and mind a chance to unwind. Whether at work, home or on the road, Chrysler and Dr. Olivo are encouraging consumers to find time in their busy schedules to take mini-breaks throughout the day to relax, and maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
"Today's busy schedules leave most of us with little time to think about ourselves and I don't think people realize the health problems chronic stress can cause on the body," said Dr. Olivo, stress expert and contributor to Oprah's "Stress Management 101" on Oprah.com. "Relaxation helps decrease the wear and tear of life's challenges on the mind and body. By taking mini-breaks throughout the day and practicing relaxation techniques, you can improve how you physically respond to stress by lowering blood pressure and heart rate, reducing muscle tension and strengthening your immune system."
Round-the-Clock Relaxation Remedies
By practicing simple relaxation techniques daily, a consumer's overall health and quality of life can be improved, including reduced back pain and headaches, improved mood and concentration, and increased energy. For those who run round-the-clock schedules, Chrysler and Dr. Olivo recommend the following relaxations solutions, which can fit into any lifestyle:
* Push all the right pressure points by giving hand reflexology a try
* Massage the inside of your right palm with your left thumb in a
circular motion. Repeat this same technique on the other hand
* Find the sensitive spot in between your thumb and index finger. Press
deeply, hold for 10 seconds and release
* Reduce tension by creating a soothing environment with music, lighting
and aromas
* Create a playlist with fun tunes mom, dad and the children can enjoy
on the next car ride or at home
* Consider a lavender scented car air freshener or aromatherapy room
spray, which offers a therapeutic, soothing effect
* Promote a relaxing setting by dimming the lights. For a refreshing
ambiance, consumers can now enjoy soft, greenish-blue halo lighting
in the Chrysler Town & Country
* Consider "a la car" dining if your family is always "on the go" and has
little time for dinner
* Relax with the Chrysler Town & Country's Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating
system, which provides a convenient table for dinners "on the go"
* Pack a well-balanced dinner for the car and children can eat a
healthy meal in between after-school activities
* Consider packing snacks and water for the next car trip or to stow
away at the office
* Laugh until the heart's content because laughing releases endorphins and
other healthy hormones, as well as lowers blood pressure and increases
oxygen in the blood
* For a good laugh, watch snippets from a funny movie, reminisce about
a recent event that put a smile on your face or pop in a stand-up
comedy on tape or CD on your next road trip
* Leave a few minutes to spare by remembering to build an extra 15 minutes
into your schedule to prevent the unnecessary stress of running late
* Avoid bumper to bumper traffic with the 2008 Chrysler Town &
Country's unique MyGIG(TM) Multimedia Infotainment System. Available
through SIRIUS Satellite Radio, MyGIG(TM) supports real-time traffic
and can even provide re-route navigation based on current traffic
patterns
"We understand the stress our customers face on a daily basis. This is why we design vehicles, such as the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country, that will make it easier for consumers to relax as they are traveling to and from their destinations," says David Rooney, Director - Chrysler Marketing & Global Communications. "With new features like Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating system, ambient halo lighting and MyGIG(TM) Multimedia Infotainment System, everyone can feel right at home in their vehicles. We create environments, such as the Town & Country, that are stress-free and comfortable for all passengers. And, we all know, when passengers are happy, everyone is happy."
About the Chrysler Brand
Driven by award-winning new models, the Chrysler brand has seen a dramatic increase in sales, market share and brand image. Since 1990, Chrysler brand sales have more than tripled. No other American automotive brand has grown as much during the same time frame. The Chrysler brand's succession of innovative product introductions continues to solidify the brand's standing as the leader in great design, purposeful technology and value.
About the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country
The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country offers an all-new contemporary appearance, three different models, three distinct seating and storage systems, unmatched entertainment systems and the safety you expect and deserve. The Chrysler Town & Country has 35 new and improved features, including a new 4.0 liter V-6 engine mated to a minivan-first six-speed transaxle, more standard equipment including standard all-row side curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). The newest feature is Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating system, offering second row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third row with a removable table that installs between the two rows, covered storage bins in the floor of the second row, third-row uncovered storage and fold-in-the-floor third-row seating. The starting U.S. MSRP of the new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country LX is $23,190.
(1) Dong L, Block G, Mandel R. Activities contributing to total energy
expenditure in the United States: Data from the NHAPS study. Int J
Behav Nutr Phys Act 2004,1:4, http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/1/1/4.
