What Is Your Favorite Stress Reliever?
“I cannot have another stressful day next week. My schedule is already full!” – A woman I accidentally overheard talking to a friend.
Let’s face it! She is right! We do not have time for stress, anxiety and busywork. We are too busy already having to deal with all the work projects, important meetings, constant phone calls, and “urgent” emails. And when we finally get home, there is just enough time to do the grocery shopping, cooking, doing homework with our kids and maybe if we are lucky watching a little bit of TV.
It is easy to get carried away by an ambitious desire to “get IT done today!” (IT stands for “Infinite Task list”)
I have noticed that as soon as I get hit with an over-achiever adrenaline rush, I start to use the phrase “I have no time for it!” more than it is really needed! This is how I know that it is time to slow down and relax.
Do you often feel stressed out or overwhelmed at work or at home? What do you do to relax and cope with a busy life when pressure builds up? Do you take a hot bath? Or go for a walk? Or do you hit straight for the fridge to melt your stress with chocolate-chip ice-cream?
What is it that helps you to respond with calmness and confidence to most life situations, instead of reacting with agitation and fear?
Share your favorite stress reliever(s) in the comment section below!
Tags: ask the reader, deal with stress, readers' advice, relieve stress tips
Music i will say is my stress reliever.
Taking three deep breaths and then remembering my favorite place in the world. I call it a 45 second vacation.
My favorite stress reliever is Music, Jog and depending on how stressed a full run, or just lay quietly in my bed to just listen to the quietness..
This is exactly what I do Best – Release more Stress. Everyday, I do, Think, Visualize for myself or Motivate others to Release more Stress using my most favorite Thing in the World, Hypnotherapy – it is the most amazing modality as it instantly releases stress, no matter what other issues you are working on !!!
lounging in the sun, hot bats are the best.
There is absolutely NOTHING like a day at the beach
and chocolate, without a doubt
Music and a lot of sleep. That works u know.
I get myself outside, either for a good power walk, or just playing with the kids, and running around.
My favorite stress reliever is going for a walk.
In times of stress, I find myself telling “Hey wait! You are running too fast. I cant catch up with you!” So I remind myself to breathe deeply and listen to some cheerful and motivational songs…this definitely helps me to calm down.
A good workout at the gym!
just meditation with sound sleep
to release more stress i will do pranayama for two minutes (deep breathing) in no mind state it is a wonderful stress releasing instrument.
Believe it or not, I juggle. I’m not great at it, but I’m getting better. You have to focus on hands and eyes, so it is impossible to think about the endless “to-do” list. If you focus on anything else you “drop the ball” and isn’t that just like our lives? When we focus on needless things, we “drop the ball” so to speak.
I walk most days, specifically to resolve things in my mind. I am not an athlete, but I do enjoy walking, for me this is a great way to release stress, anxiety, to just feel good about being able to walk. Something the world takes for granted, because most folks own cars for errands, work, social activities etc.
Thank you Arina.
I actually do most of the above, including juggling… way to go LaVonda! I also find Progressive Muscle Relaxation with soft music playing works wonders! (Google it if not familiar… it’s free and easy)
I always seek relax of mind through relax of my soul. so, whenever, I feel stress, anxiety..etc.I escape to my god and start warshiping, such as prayer for me, family members and all my nation. Performing action like this is most comfortable one for me… I advise you whatever religion you believe in, go to your holly book go through some pages and be with your god guidance, you will feel relax, then you can start your work again…
When Stress I visit my friends… Tell them that i have a problem. Spending times with friends relieve my stress. Watching them smile and laugh… Its like why should i dwell myself being sad if i can be happy…
Hey Lorri,
How can I learn self Hypnotherapy?
I massage my feet! I always puts me in a good mood afterward! I did it yesterday for about 5 minutes on each foot and it put me in the best mood.
scrapbook therapy!
Re-learning how to juggle is on my New Year’s resolution list too (I used to know how to juggle when I was 17)! I shared my goal with some of my friends and they just shook their heads and smiled… LaVonda, Rob, now I know I’m not the only one! Many people see it as something childish and even strange, but it is a great hand-eye exercise, not to mention that it is a great way to improve concentration. You go guys!
Janet, scrapbook therapy sounds really interesting! It is not only a wonderful way to relax and let your creativity run wild, but also an opportunity to recall those cherished moments of happiness and joy!
Hi, Julie! Walk at the beach and chocolate… A winning combination!
Unfortunately (or fortunately for my figure), I can truly appreciate a delicious chocolate bar only when I feel good. For some reason when when I am stressed out, upset or frustrated any kind of food seems tasteless to me 
Cars, I know what you mean. Talking to friends, my mom or my mentor helps me a LOT to calm my mind and release stress. Just voicing my feelings makes it somehow easier for me to deal with them.
Hi Debbi, I love your idea of mini-vacations!
Sometimes when I feel stressed out doing something soothing like meditating, soaking in a hot bath, doing a jigsaw puzzle, or listening to the music helps me to regain my balance.
But there are other times when I feel too frustrated and my mind is way too agitated for any slow-pace activities. In this case a power walk or intense workout are far more helpful, because they help me to vent my emotions and release muscle tension.
Im suprised no one said sex. without question the best stress reliever for me. A nice glass of wine to relax first. How can you be stressed after ?
Dear all , first of all we have to understand wht is stress? how it is generated? are we responsible for our stress? or is any outer factor is responsible for our stress? Then only we can discuss about stress and how to avoid stress.
The best stress reliever for me is NATURE. The green shades of Nature soothes my mind and soul. Even at night, just looking up in the sky where the Moon and lots of twinkling Stars amaze me a lot.
Breathing works for me ! Stress is created by our own minds which try to keep full control on ourselves making us focus mainly in the past(especially the negative feelings: Hate, resentment, failures, set backs, complexes, jelowsy, etc.) and the future (that we do not control and do not even know if we will be able to live it). Meanwhile, the present is passing us by, but we are too busy with all that noise in our heads to notice it! “Happiness” can only be lived in the “present” ! Recommend to read “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle and join the courses of The Art of Living to learn how to control stress with their breathing techniques.
I am consfuged any time ? i can not judge any things . all things going wrong. I always in fair ? what will i Do ?
running in the park, shooting evil aliens in videogames!:-)
walking in cercles and obserbing my invierment helps me to relax.