I know stress is bad, but I’ve never been clear about what exactly is going on in my body when I’m stressed. I know people react to stress differently – for me, I get headaches, but you can also have body aches, breakouts, and other pain. So my SASSY sistas and brothas (I see you), I decided to investigate. Stress was initially designed to keep up alert and focused, it was a defense mechanism. And it still is, except now we get stressed about things like work presentations and relationship drama instead of real danger. Not sure if you’re stressed, use this test to assess your stress.
What do you do when you’re stressed? I normally vent to my friends, drink or sleep. I figured there’s got to be better, healthier, and just plain more effective ways to deal with stress. In the interest of self-care, I did some investigation and wanted to share my results with you.
YOGA – I haven’t done yoga much but I know I should do it much more. If you can’t afford to take a class at a local studio or gym, you should definitely try a yoga DVD. Not sure if you’d like to invest in a DVD? Try some moves on Hip Tranquil Chick’s youtube channel.
MEDITATION goes hand in hand with yoga. There are many different kinds of meditation – the easiest being to simply focus on your breathing. That means stop thinking about whatever is stressing you out, and start thinking about your breathing. One of the best things about meditation is that you can do it literally wherever you are – at work, school, home, the subway… you get the gist. Interested in other forms of meditation? Check out: Learning Meditation or How to Meditate
and when in doubt, there’s nothing like some good old EXERCISE. Go outside and run, walk or jump rope. Take the stairs. Get off the subway a couple of stops early and walk the rest of the way. Go to the gym (hey, it’s almost bikini season anyway, time to tighten it up). If you can afford it, hire a trainer.
If you can – spurge. Go to a spa and get a back MASSAGE. Think about it, dim lights, soft music and someone massaging the tension out of your muscles. Tense muscles can compromise your immune system because tense muscles restricts the circulation of nutrients through your body. There are many different kinds of massages, test them out and see which is best for you.
Got some stress relievers of your own? Share them here!
peace,
e.
References: the Mayo Clinic, the American Institute of Stress, US Department of Health and Human Services
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If anyone is a NYSC member the yoga classes at 7.30pm on Wednesday and 6.15pm on Friday at the Mercer location are great. It’s Vinyasa so it won’t put you to sleep, but it will totally help you relax.
Thanks for the helpful tips. I’m pretty good at managing my stress but it pains me to see so many people around me stressed out sometimes unnecessarily. Being stressed out definitely affects your health.
I think getting adequate amounts of sleep is also helpful in living a low-stress or stress-free life because being tired and not as alert does not help worrying or stress.
Great post on reducing stress! I actually schedule time in my daily planner for doing stress reduction exercises. I set aside 25minute segments three times a day for this neccessity!
Some stress-busters I schedule at those times include:
Power-walk with my dog
Yoga
Deep Breathing-with a focus on following my breath
Graditude Meditation-where I focus on deep breathing and challenge myself to counting all the tings in my life I am grateful for
Sing! YEP! You heard me right. I wrote a post in my own blog on the benefits of singing you can check out here http://livebeyondstressandillness.blogspot.com/2008/04/sing-for-health-of-it.html
Taking a long spa bath- At least once a week I allow myself the de-stressing pleasure of soaking in the tub with my favorite elixir of relaxation…it’s called Batherapy and it is like a martini in the bathrub without the hangover!
Those are a few of my de-stresser activities that work wonders for me.
Thanks again for a great post!
Diana
http://www.livebeyondstressandillness.blogspot.com
Go to a therapist!
And I agree with Roxanne… coming from a resident insomniac, finding a regular sleep schedule is important to lowering stress levels. As a general tip, maintain a regular day to day schedule is part of getting rid of stress… remember, Suze Orman says that when we are disorganized, unstructured, and messy in our daily lives… it actually mens something else (i.e. stress) is going on.
Also – cut out caffeine and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are a lot of things we can do on our own to alleviate stress, but there are ways that our friends, family, and mentors can help us too.
thanks for your suggestions ladies.
ricki – thanks for the heads up on the yoga class!
rox – sleep may be my downfall. there’s so much i want to do after work i’m always up late. but i am trying to go to bed the same day i wake up. but it’s been very challenging.
diana i like to sing too. i don’t think my neighbors appreciate it too much though
leah – i don’t know that i can cut out caffeine, i’m totally addicted to vanilla coke!
Hmmm great article INDEED! I’d say create. Whether it’s writing a letter to the person who pissed you off yesterday, or to the person you loved 5 years ago… there’s no better way to let go, let flow than to write out your feelings…
the big destressor in my life is going on vacation! i try to take small vacations at least twice a year. I usually keep it cheap and simple- the beach, warm weather, good book. Although I try to destress in other ways- this is the only thing that really works for me. I need to physically remove myself from the environment and think about sunscreen and tropical drinks.
I’m with KK. Writing always helps me relax. It helps me sort out my thoughts and release what was bothering me.
A fun night out, breaking a sweat on the dancefloor, can sometimes do the trick too.
Yoga is great. In addition to reducing stress, I know that when I don’t feel so good I’ll feel better afterward.
I agree with KK as well. Writing a GREAT! I like to do journal writing just to get out the day’s joys, disappointments, stress and so on.
I am still trying to talk myself into actually writing letters to the people who have pissed me off or who have hurt me, lol. I know getting those things out who relieve a lot of unneeded stress.