Tuesday, December 21, 2010

10 Stress Relievers

What's supposed to be "The Most Wonderful Time of Year" can be one of the most stressful times of year.  Here are 10 great stress relievers to rock this stressful Holiday season.
  1. 1.  Connect with family or loves ones.  71% of people turn to family or friends in times of stress.  A good long talk and laugh with a girlfriend can lift your spirits almost as high as chocolate.  These connections will make you feel valued, appreciated, loved and comfortable.  Make new friends and strengthen relationships.
  2. 2.  Stay positive.  Avoid negative thoughts.  Look on the bright side no matter how cheesy you think it is.  Always focus on the positive.  If someone is being a negative Nancy, its probably best to surround yourself with someone who is more optimistic.  Misery breeds misery and dark days like that don't help anyone.
  3. 3.  Exercise or sex.  Take a walk outside, shovel the snow or do the hanky panky. Exercise not only provides a distraction from stress but gives you a big lift via endorphins.  Either way, these will benefit you with more restful sleep, more energy throughout the day and even decrease certain kinds of pain.
  4. 4.  Meditation.  Meditating for just a few minutes a day can not only benefit your immune system but relax your busy mind.  When we meditate, our minds enter a state of functioning similar to sleep, releasing specific hormones that promote health.
  5. 5.  Get plenty of sleep.  Without a significant amount of sleep, you are at greater risk for depression, anxiety, increased heart rate and impaired memory.  (not to mention those puffy bags and dark circles under your eyes)
  6. 6.  Create joy and satisfaction.  Laughter really is a great medicine.  Its uplifting, connecting to others and boosts the 'feel good' feelings.  Read your favorite book, watch a great comedy, use your creative outlet, or do something you loved as a child. 
  7. 7.  Eat well.  Eating well makes us feel more energetic, counteracts stress and certain diseases.  Don't skip meals.  Avoid the vending machine. Snack on nuts, pretzels, whole or dried fruit. Some evidence shows  Vitamin B-12 enriched foods help kick depression's butt.  
  8. 8.  Tend to your heart.  For some, religion is their spirituality.  For others,  its not all about traditional structures of God but for their own belief system.  Spirituality can provide a reassuring belief in a greater being or power. It reminds you of the good in the world.  Again, meditation can give you those "feel goods" which is all the better during stressful times.
  9. 9.  Cope well.  Write an emotional letter or email and delete or burn it.  Even though you might not realize it at the time, it will make you feel better.  People that write about negative aspects of their lives are less depressed than those who do not.  Keep a journal of the good and the bad.  No one has to see it but you.  Who cares if you aren't really a poet or an ar-teest at heart.  Get it out of your mind and release that negative energy.  I promise you'll feel better.
  10. 10. Get professional help if you need it.  Face your challenges.  Heal those wounds from the past and focus on the present and future.  Set goals and change any habits that hold you back.  
Or you could always curl up to your fireplace with a warm blanket, a glass of wine and a good book.  Maybe even a side of chocolate or two to keep you company. 


2 comments:

  1. so very true. i need to remind myself of such thigns during these tough times. yoga is my savior. pilates are tremendous! thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  2. And I thank you for stopping by :>)

    ReplyDelete

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