creative stress management

Creative Stress Management Activities and Multi-Tasking Stress Stress Relievers
Unconventional Stress-Relievers
By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com Guide

Updated November 01, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

You may know about popular stress management techniques. But did you know that there are some unconventional, productive and creative stress relievers you can work into your day? You may not think of them formally as stress management techniques, but the following stress relievers can help you feel more relaxed and enjoy life more, and get other things done, too.

Cleaning
Throw on some music and de-clutter a drawer, a room, or your whole house. Spray and wipe your windows and watch the nice pattern you create, or let your hands bathe in the sudsy warm water as you wash dishes. Repetitive movement of dusting can lull you into a near-meditative state, the vigorous physical activity of washing vacuuming your carpets can release stress from your body, rewarding you with a cleaner space and more soothing surroundings when you’re done!

Gardening
The physical activity of digging, pulling and planting can be a great stress release, while sunshine is a great source of vitamin D and inner peace. Planting, fertilizing and tending a garden of vegetables, flowers or anything else that grows, can be a wonderfully relaxing pastime, with the reward of delicious organic food, a beautiful bouquet, or a gorgeous yard as well!

Playing With Kids
Do you have enough fun? Playful interaction with kids can change your state of mind. If you have small children, do you really play with them, or just supervise? Rolling on the ground with them, kneading play dough, or finger painting a masterpiece can be a great diversion from your stress, and they’ll love it, too. Older kids can be great movie dates, and teens can be good shopping companions. If you don’t have kids, borrow a friend’s. Being present with them can be good for you both.

Singing. Loudly.
Belting out one of your favorite tunes, either with CD backup or a cappella, can be a great stress release. Loud vocalization releases tension from your body, and music can therapeutically take your mind off your troubles. Singing in the shower became a cliché because it’s a great way to start the day, immerse yourself in the experience, and let the noise of the water drown out any flaws in your singing. Singing in the car can also be a great release, perhaps even cutting down on road rage.

Sex
You probably already know that sex is a great tension reliever, but have you officially thought of it as a stress-relieving practice? Perhaps you should. The physical benefits of sex are numerous, and most of them work very well toward relieving stress. Sadly, many people have less sex when their stress levels are high. Learn how not to fall into this trap!

If you have other ideas for unconventional stress relievers, or productive stress management techniques that accomplish other tasks while also relieving stress, or would like to hear some, visit the Stress Management Forum. And enjoy your day!

MY THOUGHTS

it's true for me. when i'm feeling stressed out, i launch a one-man cleaning brigade. especially because clutter and dirt causes me stress. playing with kids is one surefire way of de-stressing. unless the kids are the spoiled brat types you'll end up murdering them. loud singing? of course! just be careful cause you might cause the stress for others. gardening, well,it works for the green thumbs. i have been known to stress-out the plants. i'm the type who would steal a beautiful,living, thriving plant from my mom. my mom knows i would be stealing from her garden again in a couple of months because i have transformed her beautiful,living, thriving plant into a despicable, lifeless, leafless, flowerless plant holder.now,sex? most definitely. if you have the right partner.and the right circumstances. otherwise....well,you get my drift.