What Defuses Your Stress?
You gripped the steering wheel so tightly during your commute to the office that you left claw marks. The frown lines that sometimes visit your forehead have now taken up permanent residence and invited their relatives to stay.
In other words, you might be under a little bit of a strain.
Stress is nothing new. It's been around since the beginning of time, and it doesn't appear to be going out of style any time soon. How we deal with it will go a long way to determining how productive and happy we end up being.
Healthy body, healthy mind- it's an old saying, but even in these modern times it hold true. Headaches, stiff joints and generally feeling bad will turn a saint into a crabapple, and make even a routine day feel like a military maneuver. Here are some ways you can stay healthy and keep stress at bay:
- Avoid smoking and drinking too much caffeine. This duo may feel like stress relievers, but they actually increase your heart rate and blood pressure, two common side-effects of stress.
- Make sure you're getting regular sleep so you can begin the day refreshed and relaxed. Nothing makes a long day seem longer than starting it with little or no sleep.
- Try to find time to exercise regularly. Whether it's a jog around the park or a more elaborate workout routine, study after study has found a positive correlation between regular exercise and stress relief.
It's sometimes difficult to carve out a section of your day for exercise, and for some of us, 8 hours of sleep can be an all too rare luxury. If that describes you, here are some other stress relievers you can try out:
- Stop and smell the roses... or whatever your favorite scent is. Smell is one of our most primal senses, and certain aromas (like lavender) have been consistently shown to reduce stress levels. We are so fortunate to have the lovely Tower Hill Botanic Garden about 15 minutes away, but even a walk in your yard or down the street can help break the stress cycle.
- Art Therapy. Try getting your frustration out on canvas. It can be surprisingly fun and relaxing, not to mention colorful. If you think it matters that you have to 'draw a straight line' to do art, look up Jackson Pollack on Google.
- Hang with your pet. Many studies have shown pet owners report feeling less stress out-most likely thanks to having a furry friend.
- Crank up the tunes. Music has been shown to help relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers.
- Take a walk. If vigorous exercise isn't for you, even a quiet, meditative stroll can do wonders for stress relief, especially when we step outdoors.
- Get a massage. Even low levels of stress can cause your body to be tense, so what better way to relax than to loosen up some of those stiff joints? Even acupuncture can help you with stress. If you are local to Central Massachusetts, we recommend Wellsprings Acupuncture in Westborough.
Whether we like it or not, stress is going to be a constant companion in our lives. With the proper management, it doesn't have to be an unwelcome tag-a-long.
How do you unwind?