No jade eggs here...

As usual, times are stressful.  I’m seeing more stress in my clients and friends and family, which is not hard data, but is suggestive of a trend.  Here are some ways to disconnect from the stress and feel better:

1.     Smash the heteronormative capitalist white imperialist patriarchy.  It’s good exercise.  If smashing all of it is too much for one day, build a smashing habit and take it on a little at a time.  At the end, we’ll all feel better and have more of a chance to be healthy and happy.

2.     Drink water.  I hesitate to put this on the list because it is one of the markers I use to determine which lists are pulled out of thin air and which have actual evidence behind them; drinking water definitely won’t hurt us and will probably help any number of problems.  In this case, dehydration stresses the body’s immune system by making it more difficult for us to flush out toxins.  Dehydration can also cause headaches and those are definitely stressful.

3.     Take a nap.  We, as a society, have a thing about glorifying how little sleep we get.  We are Important and Busy—sleep is for losers.  Um, no.  Steal fifteen minutes or half an hour to snooze.  I don’t hold with the “because it will make you more productive” line of argument because that’s just pandering to the overlords, but it will definitely make us all feel better.

4.     Wash those hands and then hug somebody.  Consensually, of course.  We are starved for touch in our culture.  Hugging the dog also counts.  We need to connect with other creatures to feel safe and happy.

5.     Help somebody out.  Buy that guy on the corner a cup of coffee.  Help your neighbor bring in her trash cans.  Listen to your parent tell that story for the millionth time.  They get help, we get endorphins.  It’s all good.

Please note that none of these things have to cost money.  There is no program, bath, lotion, bottle of alcohol, or jade egg involved.  We can do this if we just keep breathing.