Remember: ‘stressed’ spelled backwards is ‘desserts’.
The following are some stress relief ideas collected from various individuals. You must realize that these are their ‘personal’ suggestions and may not be for everyone. But… some are fun!
- Go to your local gym for exercise
……… or walking to your local pub could also be considered exercise … (submitted by d.c., Renfrew, ON) - Computer Games
……… Every day I start the day by playing Mahjong – I find it relaxing, fun and gets my brain working. After about an hour, I’m ready to start my ‘work day’. (submitted by m.b., Toronto, ON) - They say ‘chocolate is good to relieve stress ……… however, I am told for it to work, you must eat the chocolate facing East…. well…. that’s what they told me!!!! (submitted by j.m.. Windsor, ON)
The Standards
The following are some stress relief recommendations that are normally suggested. These ideas are ‘tried and true’ so we call them the ‘standards’.
Play More…………… while playing (whether by yourself or with your family or friends) you can immerse yourself in the game resulting in putting aside what your stressed about.
Private Time………… find a quiet place, the tub, the kids playhouse, the basement- wherever that spot is in your home and focus on pleasant thoughts or just daydream. Nurturing yourself puts burnout at bay and helps to keep up your enthusiasm.
Pace yourself……… make this one of your goals. Determining what’s really important to you will help put your energies in order of importance. Trying to do everything at once will only wear you out. Sometimes a ‘to do’ list can help you accomplish this. In fact, try one with your kids – let them be involved – the results of this can be very helpful to the entire family.
You can’t plan everything………… be aware of your choices and make plans….this will give you a sense of control. The trick is to BE FLEXIBLE – give yourself permission to change your plans as needed especially when dealing with the unexpected (like getting fired, an unexpected pregnancy, etc.) – AND try not to sweat the small stuff. Notice the word ‘try’.
Separate your past from your present………… This is probably one of the most difficult things to do. Many people never quite succeed at letting the past go and often this affects moving ahead. Don’t be afraid to get help if you find this an overwhelming challenge.
Laughter…………… A good time to do this is anytime you can! Learn to laugh at your own idiosyncrasies, at the little things your kids do, etc. Enjoy the absurd and when choosing programs to watch on TV, try to find those that give you a giggle. Laughter is still the best remedy.
Don’t be too serious – too mellow ………… Age is a state of mind. You’ll never grow old unless you really, really want to. Don’t accept what you CAN change.
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