Everyone knows that stress is a bad thing. Too much stress leads to many health problems and can be a major contributor to a seriously shortened life span. Stress also tends to take the joy out of our lives. Attempting to eliminate stress is a fruitless task because stress is a natural by-product of our modern lives. If we are attempting to make a living, pay our bills, feed our family, keep up with all the goings-ons of our family and friends, stress will result. Even if we become mega-millionaires and retire to a beach in Maui to sip margaritas for the rest of our lives, stress will search us out. So, if we can not avoid it, we must learn to manage it. Fortunately, that is not as hard as we might think. We may still have deadlines to meet, and writer’s block to climb over, and writing to do, but if we can get the anxiety under control, all that will be easier to deal with too. Here are come of my favorite ways to defuse the time-bomb of stress.
- Physical Activity. Even gentle exercise produces endorphins in our body that make us feel good. For me, a brisk walk along our mountain road does a great job of pushing anxiety out, getting fresh air in and clearing the cobwebs of stress that threaten to ensnare me. Gentle stretching, like toe touches can work wonders to get the kinks out of my back and shoulders after a stint at the keyboard.
- Deep Breathing. Speaking of fresh air, here’s another simple, effective way to regain calmness; breathe in through your nose to a slow count of three, hold for three counts, then exhale through your mouth for three counts. This is a good way to keep from exploding when something goes badly, and it is a really good way to relax before laying down to sleep.
- Water. The human body is about 62% water (by weight). You knew that your body is mostly water, but if you are feeling tired or stressed or have a headache, how often to you reach for a glass of water as a remedy? Often these things are brought on by mild dehydration and simply replenishing the water supply will help you feel better.
- Grab a Snack. Hunger lowers your blood sugar level, leading to decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, headache, and even dizziness. If you are feeling stressed or grouchy, ask yourself when you last ate a proper meal. I’m not talking about a can of Pringles, but real food with nutritional content. If it has been longer than 3 or 4 hours, seek out food. If not a real meal then at least a healthy snack like a granola bar and a glass of fruit juice.
- Change Your View. Part of what helps me in item #1 above, is simply getting something other than my four walls and computer screen to look at for a while. Quite often changing my surroundings will jiggle a good idea loose or help me let loose of some bit of stress that I had in a death grip.
- Conversation. I’m not an especially social person, but even I can’t go more than a few days without talking to someone before I start feeling isolated and neglected. If you feel this form of stress too, it’s time to call on a neighbor or arrange a lunch date with a friend. A phone call may do in a pinch, but the real psychological benefit of interaction is gained through face-to-face contact.
- Pampering. When I worked at a publishing company in Wisconsin I stopped at a health club on my way to work 3 times a week for a 30 minute workout, 10 minutes in the sauna, and a shower. This went a long way to helping me feel my best and keeping me energized. Women may prefer a facial or manicure. Any of us can enjoy a long hot bath or shower to help pipe off the stress and unknot the muscles at the end of a day.
- Diversion. A really good way to take your mind off of stressful things is to distract it. Work on a hobby that you genuinely enjoy, read a good novel, watch a great movie. Even if your diversion is gardening – not something you normally engage in at 9:00 at night – you can browse seed catalogs or read a gardening magazine to learn how others deal with gardening issues; but try to keep it light – do not fall into “research mode”.
- Seek A Higher Power. Even if you are someone who goes into anaphylactic shock at the mention of religion, finding something powerful and solid outside of yourself to inspire you can be helpful. I used to volunteer with a 12 step recovery program. All participants had to select a higher power. One fellow chose an enormous oak tree in his front yard because it was so solid and reliable. That worked for him. I start my days with 20 to 30 minutes of prayer and find this helps me stay centered on what is really important in life.
- Chocolate. I do realize that not everyone enjoys chocolate as much as I do; if you don’t care for it, choose a treat you do enjoy and use it as a reward. I would never advocate gorging on a one pound Big Block; you must control yourself. However allowing yourself a small amount of hedonism after a full day (especially if it was a successful day) is a nice way to pat yourself on the back and say, “Good job”. Appreciating your own efforts is a good way to defuse that ticking time bomb of stress.
How about you? Do you have other ways to defuse stress? What works best for you?
More Stress-busters
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=10182451 Stress in Men
http://health.discovery.com/videos/health-tips-stress-reducing-tips.html
