My cat Indy relaxes 23 hours a day, with the remaining hour spent eating, playing, and begging for tuna.
I, on the other hand, am terrible at relaxing. My brain whirs constantly and I feel antsy when idle. A Type A workaholic, "relaxing" activities like yoga and meditation stress me out.
Research tells us that stress contributes to miscarriages, infertility, and can worsen diseases and health conditions like endometriosis.
Going to doctors, worrying about not having a baby, even thinking about reducing my stress stresses me out. However, over the years I have found a few stress relievers that work for me (and some that don't).
1. Don't do Yoga. Forget about yoga, meditation, and deep breathing if it doesn't work for you. No doubt there are huge proven benefits with these activities. However, if you spend them tense and just thinking about how soon they will be over so you can get on with your life, then skip and find something that truly relaxes you.
2. Escape. Do something where you cannot work even if you wanted to. Driving, biking, running, surfing, and even getting cavities filled at the dentist (seriously) are all activities where my laptop is not invited and I don't feel guilty for not getting any work done. Airplane flights also used to fall in to my relaxing category until inflight wifi became so prevalent. Now I feel compelled to connect on every flight.
3. Release emotions. Write, cry, or talk to friends, but don't dwell on the negative or hold it inside. Releasing pent up feelings and emotions does wonders for inner tranquility.
4. Sing. I sing in the car or while hiking. I always feel better after belting out some of my favorite happy songs.
5. Sleep. Getting enough rest helps reset my brain. It quiets all the crazy thoughts and I always think clearer in the morning.
6. Massage. Pamper yourself with a massage once in a while. Beyond the physical benefits, it will help ease tension and relax your mind.
7. Travel. I will write a lot more about this in coming posts. Traveling is an escape from all the daily stresses and for me always provides a fresh perspective on life. I usually come back appreciative of everything I have and thankful that I had the chance to experience new places and things...especially if I can get off the grid.
Stress relief is different for everyone. Try different things, learn from others, and find what works for you. For now, I am going to take a lesson from Indy and lie down on the couch, eat my tuna salad, drink a creamy glass of unsweetened coconut milk, and take a relaxing cat nap.
What stress reduction methods have worked for you?
I, on the other hand, am terrible at relaxing. My brain whirs constantly and I feel antsy when idle. A Type A workaholic, "relaxing" activities like yoga and meditation stress me out.
Research tells us that stress contributes to miscarriages, infertility, and can worsen diseases and health conditions like endometriosis.
Going to doctors, worrying about not having a baby, even thinking about reducing my stress stresses me out. However, over the years I have found a few stress relievers that work for me (and some that don't).
1. Don't do Yoga. Forget about yoga, meditation, and deep breathing if it doesn't work for you. No doubt there are huge proven benefits with these activities. However, if you spend them tense and just thinking about how soon they will be over so you can get on with your life, then skip and find something that truly relaxes you.
2. Escape. Do something where you cannot work even if you wanted to. Driving, biking, running, surfing, and even getting cavities filled at the dentist (seriously) are all activities where my laptop is not invited and I don't feel guilty for not getting any work done. Airplane flights also used to fall in to my relaxing category until inflight wifi became so prevalent. Now I feel compelled to connect on every flight.
3. Release emotions. Write, cry, or talk to friends, but don't dwell on the negative or hold it inside. Releasing pent up feelings and emotions does wonders for inner tranquility.
4. Sing. I sing in the car or while hiking. I always feel better after belting out some of my favorite happy songs.
5. Sleep. Getting enough rest helps reset my brain. It quiets all the crazy thoughts and I always think clearer in the morning.
6. Massage. Pamper yourself with a massage once in a while. Beyond the physical benefits, it will help ease tension and relax your mind.
7. Travel. I will write a lot more about this in coming posts. Traveling is an escape from all the daily stresses and for me always provides a fresh perspective on life. I usually come back appreciative of everything I have and thankful that I had the chance to experience new places and things...especially if I can get off the grid.
Stress relief is different for everyone. Try different things, learn from others, and find what works for you. For now, I am going to take a lesson from Indy and lie down on the couch, eat my tuna salad, drink a creamy glass of unsweetened coconut milk, and take a relaxing cat nap.
What stress reduction methods have worked for you?