Seven Stress-Busters

Continuing with yesterday’s theme of coping mechanisms, here are seven (non-food-based!) things to do to help reduce stress:

 

1.     Breathe.  I wrote about this yesterday, but focusing in on the breath is a good way to relax the body and mind.  Even five deep breaths can make a significant difference.

2.     Breathe hard.  I am a big fan of cardio for reducing stress.  It burns calories, improves mood, uses up nervous energy, and, for bonus points, it’s good for us!

3.     Breathe slow.  Restorative yoga is a gentler way to calm the body and mind if cardio seems like too much work.

4.     Breathe loud.  All right, I mean snore.  Getting enough sleep is crucial to health.  Tired people are stressed people.  Naps are good for you.

5.     Blow bubbles.  By which I mean, put the body in water.  Maybe it’s a pool, maybe it’s a spa, maybe it’s the bathtub, but the gentle embrace of water is great for absorbing our tension.

6.     Drink some water.  It’s good on the inside, too!  Hydrated people are nicer and have more energy to cope with whatever comes along.

7.     Hug people.  Human contact is as much a need as food.  Hugging (vaccinated) people is also a Good Deed—they get to feel good, too!

 

Go play.