The CEO of one of our long-time clients, Flip Flop Shops, gave us a shocking and abrupt scare last year when we learned he was to undergo open heart surgery. While serious surgery is shock enough, Brian’s age made it more astonishing: he was only 38.

Now fully recovered, Brian has taken the time to examine what motivated his necessary, lifesaving surgery. After great introspection, he’s realized that the fast pace of entrepreneurship and a successful corporate career is nothing without health.

Through “Heart to Sole: Creating a Stress-Free America” Brian and Flip Flop Shops are dedicated to “freeing your toes” and to freeing your workplace of stress.

Stress, Work and Heart Disease: One Company President’s Mission to Stop the Madness

Flip Flop Shops teaches Americans to “Pace” Not “Race”; Offers Five Tips to Slow it Down

ATLANTA (March 18, 2013) – It took a recent scare involving lifesaving open-heart surgery at age 38 to make Brian Curin realize that stress – most likely from a previous, fast-paced career – had taken its toll on his relatively young heart. But because he had been in fast mode, he missed the signs – until it was nearly too late.

Never known to do anything small, the President and Co-Founder (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops has embarked on a massive, passionate mission – alongside the American Heart Association (AHA) – to help Americans reduce stress, a common link to heart disease. Through “the Heart To Sole: Creating a Stress-Free America” campaign, officially launched last month, Curin has pledged to help the nation create a more balanced lifestyle, and is raising money online and at Flip Flop Shops locations to support the AHA’s My Heart. My Life. ™ healthy living initiative.

The Heart To Sole campaign’s overall message is: “pace” not “race.” The theme fits well with the Flip Flop Shops brand personality, which encourages a Free Your Toes® mentality and a balanced, active lifestyle.

“It’s no secret that Americans work longer days, take less vacation and retire later than any other country in the world,” Curin said. “With stress playing a role in so many different diseases and accounting for more than half of the country’s healthcare-related expenses, it’s time to take stress reduction seriously.”

Flip Flop Shops offers the following five tips to reduce stress at home and in the workplace:

1)       Schedule “You” Time – It’s easy to get caught up in pleasing everyone else – your boss, your co-workers, your wife, your kids. Making time for you will alleviate stress big time. What do you like to do? Make sure you do something solely for yourself at least once a day even if it’s just for 15 minutes.

2)       Laugh … a lot! – A simple laugh can go a long way. Laughing enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air and stimulates your organs, circulation and aids in muscle relaxation. So next time you feel stressed, find your favorite comedian on YouTube or visit a funny co-worker. Is there a photo that always makes you laugh no matter what? Keep it in your drawer and pull it out when needed.

3)       Get Moving – Any form of exercise will act as a stress reliever, and being “too busy” is no excuse not to get moving. Exercise is proven to boost endorphins and for some people, acts as an opportunity for meditation. Regular physical activity may improve sleep, increases self-confidence and lowers symptoms of depression and anxiety – all things that correlate to stress levels. You can fit exercise into every day even if you only have a 10 minute break that reduces sedentary time such as taking a brisk walk, running the stairs in your office building or doing jumping jacks in place.

4)       Slow it Down (“Pace” Not “Race”) – Life is not a race, so why rush? Slow down and your stress levels will drop significantly. Leave plenty of extra time to get places. Plan ahead for work deadlines so you are not always cramming under pressure. Even simple tasks like eating … slow down and enjoy your food. Take a moment to enjoy the company of those around you at work, your family, or a quiet night at home.

5)       Just Do It! – While it might feel good to put off a task that you don’t feel like doing, procrastination eventually catches up with you and creates tremendous stress. Piles of work and lengthy to-do lists that never get crossed off are huge stress triggers. Try to get important tasks done in a timely, efficient manner. Keep your desk and your inbox clean at all times and keep checking things off the list. When you find yourself putting something off, stop yourself. Use a post-it note that says, “just get it done!” as a constant reminder.

About the Heart To Sole: Creating a Stress-Free America Campaign

Starting last month, customers who donate $5 to the campaign through www.FlipFlopShops.com will receive 20 percent off their next online purchase. In June, during Flip Flop Shops’ newly declared “Stress-Free America Month,” Flip Flop Shops customers can make donations at the register in increments of $1, $2, and $5. Plus, Flip Flop Shops will donate $1 for every pair of SANÜK Yoga Mat or Beer Cozy flip flops purchased throughout the month. For more information about Flip Flop Shops and “the Heart To Sole” campaign visit the company’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FlipFlopShopsFanpage. More information on reducing stress can be found on the American Heart Association website.

About Flip Flop Shops

Founded in 2004, Flip Flop Shops is North America’s first retail chain exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals from big names such as SANÜK, REEF, Cobian, Quiksilver, ROXY, OluKai and Cushe. Flip Flop Shops began franchising in January 2008 and continues to be recognized by industry leaders as one of the fastest-growing franchises and retailers in the nation. Company accolades include: the International Council of Shopping Centers’ prestigious “Hot Retailer Award” and ranking No. 170 in the 2012 Inc. 500 | 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States, as well as the sixth fastest-growing franchise and ninth fastest-growing retailer in the nation.

Growing the brand to more than 70 shops in operation and 110-plus in the development pipeline, the executive team boasts more than 50 years of franchise experience building and growing some of the world’s fastest-growing franchise concepts, category leaders and some of the world’s most well-known brands, including Cold Stone Creamery, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Nike and OfficeZilla.com. The lifestyle franchise is an Environmentally Responsible Retailer™ encouraging the nation to Free Their Toes®. For more information on the franchise opportunity, visit http://franchise.flipflopshops.com/.

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