Ways to relieve stress

[mystery29]

I was wondering if anyone on here had ways to reduce there high stress levels. Im posting this in health and fitness because stress can greatly influence ones health. So I was wondering what are some ways that you reduce stress. Because I need some destressing solutions or Im afraid all my hair is going to fall out on the floor. So any suggestions on how you handle stress?

[JFemme]

Hi Mystery29,:)

Here is an article written by Joy Brown on destressing... Hope you find it
helpful----------------------------------------------------
10 ways to reduce your stress: attitude, work & leisure

Here’s a strange paradox: leisure takes some work. Most of us assume that all we need to do is make some free time and we will automatically feel happy. Unfortunately, things aren’t quite that simple. To really use leisure time as a stress reducer, it is essential that we devote a little time to planning. In the final portion of our three part series on reducing our daily stress, we will look at making leisure hours more relaxing and replenishing.

Did you know the time people spend for each vacation has actually shrunk more than one third in the last decade? With all the media and self-help books preaching the importance of self-care and renewal, it appears that we are actually doing more work instead of less. Cell phones, pagers and laptops, many of us to the office instead of our own families or self-care.

Even when we do take time for a leisure vacation we see places from a bus, we are led through museums, we see the world through the eyes of Disney rather than our own travels. “Real” leisure time actually involves doing something that is unstructured, spontaneous and relaxing.

So here are some quick and easy down to earth tips for lowering your stress and enjoying your leisure hours.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgExercise. More than 150 studies confirm that exercise is a source of stress reduction. Stress-busting endorphins are pumped into our system every time we exercise. In fact, exercise increases our brain’s alpha waves which associated with relaxation. Vigorous exercise decreases muscle tension and helps us keep fit. Just 20-30 minutes of exercise three times a week can greatly reduce stress levels.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgDo less. It seems like many of us are trying to compact too many activities into our lives. Many parents have their children enrolled in karate, music lessons, soccer, and a community play all in the same week. Life becomes activity after activity, with little time for relaxation and leisure. We also become “doers” instead of enjoying life to its fullest. Interestingly, years ago, people would spend a whole day at a park, but today people are planning three or four activities on a weekend trying to accomplish everything.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgTurn off the TV. Statistics show that we spend 40% of our leisure time in front of the television—yet more and more people say they feel less relaxed after watching television. Couch potatoes have less intimacy in relationships, and tend to feel less energized in life.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgShare more time with friends. Research indicate nearly 1/2 of us would rather spend time with friends when we are stressed…but do we follow our intuition? Social support is an important factor in lowering stress and increasing our self-esteem. In fact, close relations have shown to not only lower our stress levels, but are shown to be a factor in lowering the incidence of diseases such as heart attacks and cancer.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgTurn your work into fun. Statistics show that we send about 30% of our waking time doing maintenance activities such as showering, dressing, cooking and shopping. So why not make these activities more fun? Play music, dance as you cook. Share your chores with a friend and talk as you shop.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgGo outside. This will lower stress by causing our bodies to slow down. In fact, research has shown that watching nature actually helps drop blood pressure and relax our muscles. Hospital statistics show that patients recover faster if they can view the nature outside versus a brick wall.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgEat better. When stressed, many people eat unhealthy foods, which increase stress. Make sure you watch sugar and caffeine consumption and eat more fruit and vegetables
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgPut the “vacate” in your vacation. Remember to get away from the ties to your stress and work. Put companionship, laughter, reflection and freedom into the vacation plans.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgDe-Junk your home. “Stuff” creates more stress…with the average household accumulating 300 pages of paper a day! Throw out those broken vacuums, the abandoned coffeepot, and the two-year old catalog.
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgGet a pet. People with pets have lower stress levels, colds, flu, backaches and diseases. Studies show that people who own pets make fewer visits to doctors for physical complaints than non-pet owners. So perhaps a bird, a cat, a dog or a lizard is in your future.

Here is a quick review of the 30 stress reducers we have discussed in the past 3 weeks

Attitude
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgLaugh more
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgWatch perfectionism
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgControl your anger
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgSlow down
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgDon’t procrastinate
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgStop feeling guilty
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgLet go of grudges
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgFollow your dreams
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgPick your battles
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgWork isn’t worth it

Work life
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgClear your desk
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgMake a list
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgTake breaks
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgAvoid interruptions
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgGo home on time
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgWork less
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgAsk questions
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgMake your job fun
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgDelegate
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgGet more involved

Leisure
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgExercise
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgDo less
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgTurn off the television
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgBe with friends
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgMake chores fun
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgGo outside
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgEat better
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgTake real vacations
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgDe-junk your home
http://www.wmbd.com/joymiller/circle.jpgGet a pet.


Quiz (True or false)

1. Researchers have proven that exercising three times a week for 20 minutes will reduce our anxiety and tension.
2. Watching television 3 hours per day will minimize our tension and stress levels.
3. Inviting friends over for dinner appears to strengthen the immune system and boost our protection from colds for up to two days.


The first and third answers are true and the second answer is false. So call a friend and get out there for some exercise…and enjoy!
-----------------------------

In addition to some of the things listed above I do to deal with stress by -have regular massages, time away, yoga,meditate, exercise, eat clean(raw), and check my attitude about life in general on the regular. ;)

JFemme

[asubeauty]

I'm glad that I ran into this thread because I was going to post one kind of like this. Great info, Jfemme!!!

[Radianthealth]

Taking care of my hair helps me destress. A nice aromatherapy scalp massage or deep conditioning makes me feel at ease.

I like to combine that with other "at home spa" type things like foot soaks, pedicures, facials, tweezing my eyebrows. All great things that make me feel better about myself.

I may even light a candle, typing this out makes me realize that I need to do some of these things more often:cool:

[Deluxe]

Sex:blondboob

[star]

B-Complex Vitamins
Yoga
Exercise
Chamollie or Valerian Root Herb (these relax nervous system at night)

I use all these B-Complex and Yoga is a super stress reliever.

[Joyful1]

I completely agree!

Aromatherapy is no joke! I keep an aromatherapy candle on a warmer in my office. If you find the right one, it will totally keep you from getting as stressed or tense as you normally do.

And a nice cup of tea always helps! Good luck!



Taking care of my hair helps me destress. A nice aromatherapy scalp massage or deep conditioning makes me feel at ease.

I like to combine that with other "at home spa" type things like foot soaks, pedicures, facials, tweezing my eyebrows. All great things that make me feel better about myself.

I may even light a candle, typing this out makes me realize that I need to do some of these things more often:cool:

[mystery29]

Those are all great ideas especially the aroma candle one. You guys have to excuse me Im a new mother and the stress right now is overwhelming