How to Relax and De-Stress

In this day and age, many of us are running, running, running, with packed schedules, appointment books filled to the brim, and more to do than we know what to do with. Nowadays, it seems unusual for people to sit and do nothing, or to take a slow walk, just because it’s a beautiful day. But a realization of the need for silence and stillness is becoming more prevalent. People are more aware of the dangers of stress, and search for ways to counteract the busy lifestyle of today. Stress from a harried life happens, and relaxation and escape are not only luxuries, they’re necessities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Solitary outdoor retreat
• Drawing pad, easel and paints
• Musical instrument
• Exercise routine
• Kitchen of healthy foods

1. Get away from the crowd. It might be difficult for you to get away by yourself, but it is tremendously important. Much of the stress of daily life comes from associations and interactions with others, so take some time and keep yourself company. Try to do this on a regular basis, if possible. Take a walk during lunch, ideally in a spot where there are not many other people. Retreat for an hour or so at home every night, by disengaging and being silent. It doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you are alone and relaxed.
   
   Wake up early in the morning and have a leisurely breakfast with just you. Sip a cup of tea and look out your window, or eat out on your deck or patio, if you have one. Don’t read the paper or think about work. Just empty your mind and enjoy the early morning.
2. Go outside. Being in a natural setting can immediately bring on a sense of contentment and peace. Whenever possible, go for walks or runs outside, or simply go out and sit in the grass. Find a park or grassy area near your work, and also near your home, and frequent these places. Make it convenient for you, so you’ll be sure to go back often.
3. Turn off the technology. That means no TV, computers or IPods--at least for awhile. Although technology certainly makes our lives better and easier in a lot of ways, it also creates stress and can complicate your life if you are always “plugged-in.” And anytime your life gets complicated, you experience stress. So, unplug and enjoy some time in the natural, physical world, every day.
4. Practice something creative that you really love. It could be drawing, music, painting, dancing, cooking, woodworking or writing. Do whatever you always wanted to do, but just didn’t because your teacher or professor told you that you would never be the next Picasso. That doesn’t matter. What matters is, you love to do it and it helps you feel connected to yourself again.
5. Connect with your family. Sometimes when we are disconnected to those we really love, we feel extreme stress. We feel isolated, misunderstood and lonely. Keep your relationships alive by sharing your experiences of the day, talking about your feelings and struggles, and taking time to eat dinner and share some time together. You’ll feel a whole lot better, and a lot less anxious, by just getting off your chest the things that are bothering you.
6. Get physical. Join a gym. Run around the block. Join a yoga class--a great stress reliever. Or go outside and kick a ball around, or shoot some hoops. Anything that you can do to move, run, hit, kick, throw, walk or stretch will help you relieve your frustrations--and will release those lovely endorphins, which keep you feeling happy and tranquil.
   
   If you’re not used to exercise, start slowly. Don’t push yourself too hard at first, or it might result in an injury, and therefore create the exact opposite effect you were going for. If you’re unsure of how to begin, consult your doctor, or a personal trainer. The point is, do your homework before you start.
7. Breathe. Discover some good breathing techniques that work well for you. You can even do some at work, if you need to relax a little in between projects. A good place to find some effective techniques is in a yoga class or from a yoga instructor. Or you can purchase or rent a beginning yoga tape or DVD, which will have some preliminary breathing exercises for you to try.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a look at your diet. Sometimes a bad diet can lead to unnecessary stress. Eat more fruit, fresh vegetables, whole grains and fish, and cut out the fried, fatty junk foods. If you keep it up, you’ll notice a difference in your attitude--and your waistline--almost right away.
• Take a good, hard look at the way you interact with people, and pay attention to how you come across. Do you seem angry, or distracted? Are you impatient, or do you feel intolerant? Some of your stress might be coming from the way you relate to others--and if you are coming across negatively, it will only come right back to you. If you think you might be bringing some negativity to the table in terms of your daily relationships, try to turn it around. You’ll be amazed at how differently people respond to you, and that difference in your interaction will lessen your stress level profoundly.
• As tempting as it might be, don’t use alcohol or other drugs as a way to relieve your stress. It might seem as if it works initially, but in the long run, you’ll be doing yourself more harm than good. Try a good cup of green tea, or a banana, instead. The antioxidants from the tea add to your overall health, while providing you with some powerful prevention against some forms of cancer, and the banana is high in potassium, and gives you a good boost of energy.