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.
Showing posts with label clutter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clutter. Show all posts
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fun ways to relieve stress
Top 8 Fun Stress Relievers
From Your Guide, Elizabeth Scott, for About.com
Created: June 21, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
There are many great stress relievers out there, but it's not always easy to stick with them. However, the fun stress relievers do seem to be easier to practice on a regular basis--you look forward to them! So for those of us who like a little fun with our stress relief, I've compiled a list of fun stress relievers, along with explanations of their other benefits as well. Enjoy!
1. Stress Relieving Games
Sometimes playing a fun game on your computer is just what you need to keep your mind off of stress in the office or at home. You don't have to go anywhere, you can play for just a few minutes, and you can return to the tasks at hand with a fresh frame of mind. These stress relieving games can help you relieve stress in just a few minutes, without being addictive.
2. Stress Relieving Books
Nothing takes your mind off of stress like a good book. And these stress relieving books can provide just the right distraction and escape from stress, as well as teaching you something new you can use to relieve stress. With a book, you can also take as much or as little time as you have available for stress relief.
3. Laughter
A good laugh can be a great stress reliever: it releases endorphins and other healthy hormones, takes your mind off of stress, and can even provide a decent physical workout if you really get going. It also leaves you in a more positive frame of mind, and can bond you to those with whom you share a good laugh. Learn more about laughter as a stress reliever, and see how you can incorporate more humor into your life.
4. Gardening
Planting a garden (or even tending to a houseplant) can be a great way to reconnect with nature, beautify your space, and enjoy other stress relieving benefits. Learn more about the stress relief benefits of gardening, and see if this is the stress reliever for you!
5. Drawing
Rediscovering your artistic side with anything from doodling to serious sketching can be a good stress reliever for several reasons: it's a good distraction, it helps you express and process emotions, and it leaves you with something beautiful to enjoy when you're finished. Learn more about the stress relief benefits of drawing and how to incorporate them into your life.
6. Music
Music is a great stress reliever for many reasons, and it can also improve health to the point that it's being used in hospitals to promote health! As a stress reliever, it provides distraction, inspiration, can speed you up or calm you down, and more. And you can use it durning your commute, while exercising, or at any time as you go about your daily activities. Learn more about the benefits of music, and find out how to incorporate it into your life to relieve stress.
7. Sports
Enjoying sports, from karate to mountain biking to tennis and more, can be a fun way to get exercise and relieve stress, providing endorphins, a social outlet, a way to release frustration, and more, and leave you healthier and happier in the end. Find ideas on what types of stres relieving activities to try in this section.
8. Mini-Vacations
Vacations are a wonderfully fun and sadly under-used stress relief resource. If you find yourself longing for a vacation but don't have the time or the funds to go on the trip you deserve, you can still treat yourself to a stress relieving mini vacation and get similar stress relieving benefits without expending as much!
MY THOUGHTS
The title itself takes out the stress - fun stress relievers. And these are quite easy - and cheap!!! Laughter, for example is free. I should know. When I was born and the midwife (yes! midwife pa - haha) slapped my butt, I didn't holler and cry. I hooted with laughter. I guess that's why although I get into the brink of stress I never got to the point of killing my self or killing someone else. I do manage to kill stress.
From Your Guide, Elizabeth Scott, for About.com
Created: June 21, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
There are many great stress relievers out there, but it's not always easy to stick with them. However, the fun stress relievers do seem to be easier to practice on a regular basis--you look forward to them! So for those of us who like a little fun with our stress relief, I've compiled a list of fun stress relievers, along with explanations of their other benefits as well. Enjoy!
1. Stress Relieving Games
Sometimes playing a fun game on your computer is just what you need to keep your mind off of stress in the office or at home. You don't have to go anywhere, you can play for just a few minutes, and you can return to the tasks at hand with a fresh frame of mind. These stress relieving games can help you relieve stress in just a few minutes, without being addictive.
2. Stress Relieving Books
Nothing takes your mind off of stress like a good book. And these stress relieving books can provide just the right distraction and escape from stress, as well as teaching you something new you can use to relieve stress. With a book, you can also take as much or as little time as you have available for stress relief.
3. Laughter
A good laugh can be a great stress reliever: it releases endorphins and other healthy hormones, takes your mind off of stress, and can even provide a decent physical workout if you really get going. It also leaves you in a more positive frame of mind, and can bond you to those with whom you share a good laugh. Learn more about laughter as a stress reliever, and see how you can incorporate more humor into your life.
4. Gardening
Planting a garden (or even tending to a houseplant) can be a great way to reconnect with nature, beautify your space, and enjoy other stress relieving benefits. Learn more about the stress relief benefits of gardening, and see if this is the stress reliever for you!
5. Drawing
Rediscovering your artistic side with anything from doodling to serious sketching can be a good stress reliever for several reasons: it's a good distraction, it helps you express and process emotions, and it leaves you with something beautiful to enjoy when you're finished. Learn more about the stress relief benefits of drawing and how to incorporate them into your life.
6. Music
Music is a great stress reliever for many reasons, and it can also improve health to the point that it's being used in hospitals to promote health! As a stress reliever, it provides distraction, inspiration, can speed you up or calm you down, and more. And you can use it durning your commute, while exercising, or at any time as you go about your daily activities. Learn more about the benefits of music, and find out how to incorporate it into your life to relieve stress.
7. Sports
Enjoying sports, from karate to mountain biking to tennis and more, can be a fun way to get exercise and relieve stress, providing endorphins, a social outlet, a way to release frustration, and more, and leave you healthier and happier in the end. Find ideas on what types of stres relieving activities to try in this section.
8. Mini-Vacations
Vacations are a wonderfully fun and sadly under-used stress relief resource. If you find yourself longing for a vacation but don't have the time or the funds to go on the trip you deserve, you can still treat yourself to a stress relieving mini vacation and get similar stress relieving benefits without expending as much!
MY THOUGHTS
The title itself takes out the stress - fun stress relievers. And these are quite easy - and cheap!!! Laughter, for example is free. I should know. When I was born and the midwife (yes! midwife pa - haha) slapped my butt, I didn't holler and cry. I hooted with laughter. I guess that's why although I get into the brink of stress I never got to the point of killing my self or killing someone else. I do manage to kill stress.
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