Stressful times call for coping
techniques. Here are five that are
better for us than an entire bottle of Scotch or buying out the ice cream
section at the grocery store or massive doses of retail therapy.
1. Connect. This one works best in person because
then there can be hugging involved, but phone, text, email, whatever can also
help. When we feel alone, we
suffer more. Bonus points if we do
something that helps someone else out while we are connecting, whether that
means going along on a dog walk or bringing dinner or just listening.
2. Move. Stress hormones leave the body faster
if we chase them out with movement.
This doesn’t have to be complicated or formal. Just get off the couch. It will feel better.
3. Cook. Taking the time to make nourishing food
restores our senses. We also
establish a tiny bit of control over the universe. We rebuild our chemistry through healthy eating. Also, home cooking can be a subversive
act in these food-industrial-complex times.
4. Sing. Off key is fine. Really this is just an excuse to get us
all to breathe. Singing requires
us to take bigger breaths, which is all good news for the body. One caveat: karaoke may not be the best choice if it involves lots of
alcohol. Just sayin’.
5. Spirit. I know. That’s not a verb.
But let’s pretend it is the verb for pray/meditate/tune in. All of those mindful spiritual
practices train us to deal with whatever comes along.
Mix and match and see what comes
out!
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