I thought it would be interesting to list what we do for stress relief. (Wolf and Phranque--this should be a good thread for your contributions.)
Things I do are:
Exercise, including yoga Eat dark chocolate Drink a tea called "Calm" by Tazo Spray my pillow with lavendar scent Bluedaze--I bought a bottle of Bach's Rescue Remedy, but always forget about it Drink wine Play soothing music Read humorous and other books Coming here!
Wine, usually one glass red at dinner time. You wouldn't think the morning coffee would be a stress-buster, but I love it, so it is. Immersing myself in something like Japanese homework.
Eating good dark chocolate...helps some. Thinking about buying something...helps some Actually buying something...helps more Thinking about the book I want to write later telling my grandchildren what my youth was like...helps some
The stress has made me not want to do anything for the past 6 months. I have to get out of this rut.
This is kind of funny...but it is true. The other night I was so stressed and I was watching something on TV and these women were in prison...I thought...gee that doesn't look too bad. 3 meals fixed for you every day...all kinds of different classes...you would have lots of other gals to visit with....I had to laugh to myself...when you start thinking prison doesn't sound too bad you maybe in deep trouble with stress.
Oh JudithKB, honest to God, I have thought that myself, and my reaction was the same as yours. How bad off am I that I think prison is a rest and an escape?
What I do to relieve stress:
Write Knit Exercise when I have time Eating chocolate is a given, but I like the milk chocolate that isn't good for you, and who ever heard of a "teeny bit"?
Getting up early and having some quite time helps and I can scan the paper and have my cup of Hazelnut coffee. Sometimes when I am really frustrated I go out and pull weeds or beat up the 96 gal green waste canister. I try to get out for a walk and coffee with my GF. Get on Joan's site here, someone always says something that makes me feel better.... Visit with my Friend K at her jewelry store..we chat when she is not really busy and I play with her little dog..take him treats...and gaze at all the sparkling things in her showcases.. Play cards on my computer.
I have some stress reduction tapes i listen to at night prior to bedtime. it puts me into a hypnotic type state and relaxes me enough to get decent sleep. hot chocolate with a dollop of whipcreme! choc of any color:) when i can muster the energy my eliptical to exercise for a bit cooking good food and the aromas
Exercise with other people at the local gym, get outside, phone a friend, walk, the comedy channel, a good book or DVD, New Orlean's jazz. When all else fails, lie down and let the world go by.
Exercise if possible, drink good wine, cook fun food, read an escape book, talk on phone with dear friends, visit nightly with my daughter and hear about sweet grandguys I can no longer babysit :-( Vent to understanding friends on occasion ...Hi MarilynMD :-)
Exercise is always my standby. I'm able to get in more exercise now since we've moved. I have my DH in respite care here at the place we now live and I have 4 more days of rest! Now this has been a stress buster! I'll use the respite care again. I'm already planning a week for the summer.
I eat chocolate too eat lunch with girlfriend and NOT talk about DH(usually doesn't work) play games on facebook read books watch funny sitcoms take naps when my DH does