What types of methods do you use to de-stress?

[BusynMember]

I'm working on mindful meditation and think it's great. It's really helped me. But I'd like to know what other people do. I also do body scans for tight muscles and concentrate on my breathing when I feel I'm getting tense. I exercise too, but feel that the other methods work better for me.

http://www.mindfullivingprograms.com/whatMBSR.php

 

[1905]

I really wish I could meditate or do yoga. I start laughing. My mind wanders, I can't get in the zone. I relax with music, it transports me right way. I love wine and my Nook as well.

 

[GoingNorth]

I surf the net or read. I've tried meditating and did well with guided meditation, but on my own, I can't shut off the chatter in my head. Heck, I have trouble stopping my brain from spinning in circles so I can sleep.

I sometimes watch TV to wind down, but lately, I've been in a place with my mental health where I can't concentrate on TV or reading. I try to walk as much as I can, but I hurt my back a few days ago and the inactivity is killing me. I feel like my brain is running on a wheel like a hamster, LoL!

 

[BusynMember]

I use tapes on YouTube. I can't do it myself, but I do know how to relax my muscles without help. That's really been a good skill.

 

[svengandhi]

I tell my husband off in my head and win every argument. Then I put a big fake smile on and go downstairs to deal with him. We very rarely actually argue in person, just in my head.

When I need to totally clear my mind, I play online solitaire. I play only one go through so I rarely win but when I do, I cheer and go on to something else.

 

[trinityroyal]

I work out like a fiend. Strenuous exercise, 5 or 6 times per week. Cross-fit, sprints, heavy weight training...that sort of thing. Rather than de-stressing me, the exercise seems to make me much more resilient to stress.

Other things I do are:
Try to see the silly side of everything. It really helps, especially with those who take themselves far too seriously.
Knit and crochet.
Iron. I love the process of ironing. In my own little way I'm bringing order to chaos. Ironing is anti-entropy. Until I burn something, then it goes on the silly-things list.
Try to have a rational conversation with small children. I think this fits in with silly-things too.
Read, although sometimes reading is stressful too if it's a thriller or other high-adrenaline story. I get so swept up that I'm in it, panicking, fighting or whatever along with the characters.

 

[witzend]

When I listen to the meditations stuff - "sit upright", "be aware of your body", "close your eyes", etc. I just want to tell that calm positive voiced woman to go take a hike. If I could sit upright the last thing I'd want to do is be aware of my body. As for closing my eyes, I can't do it without tape or a mask, so...

 

[BusynMember]

LOL Witz! Funny

I actually find it soothing, but that's me. Now I'll be thinking of what you said when I listen to the meditations and I'll be laughing!!!!

 

[Californiablonde]

I have tried meditating but I'm not very good at it. I can't seem to shut off the incessant noise going on in my head. To de-stress I like to read a good mystery novel, take a warm bath, and sip a hot cup of chamomile/peppermint tea. Wine is also good on ocassion but only on the weekends my kids are at their dad's.

 

[witzend]

Sorry!

 

[Nomad]

Read, surf the net, call a friend, go shopping at Target or Walmart, sit down with a cup of coffee and plan my day or next day....once in awhile get a manicure or a pedicure.

 

[scent of cedar]

I've been reading Simple Abundance again. I read it first thing in the morning, to take my thoughts out of those old, negative patterns.

***************

Yoga is excellent. This program used to be on Fit TV. I bought the tapes, and do the classes daily, from home.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4sbRBghZ1k

************************

I take a Tai Chi class twice weekly down South and a karate class up North.

Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts are a funny, shocking, cool series of books that will have you thinking about yourself as a full-blooded, attractive woman with a great sense of entitlement, again.

:O)

I think that's all I do. I meditate. A Buddhist meditation on love. You hold your hands over your heart and say the following:

May I be well.
May I be happy.

May I be peaceful.
May I be loved.

Then, you do that same exercise thinking of someone you do love. (May so and so be happy, etc.)

Then, you do that same exercise thinking of someone you have a problem with.

And that's it.

When I am really upset? I eat! I love to eat things I shouldn't and read. Or, eat things I shouldn't and watch Beverly Hills Housewives for hours and hours.

:O)

Have they taken that show off? I never see it advertised any more.

Journaling helps me remember that I am trying to live a life here, and the days are flying by.

Cedar

 

[BusynMember]

Cedar, I have of course seen Yoga, but, believe it or not, I'm not sure exactly what it is or what it does. Would you be kind enough to explain?

 

[scent of cedar]

Sure :O)

There are all kinds of theories about why yoga is a good thing. All I will tell you is what I know from personal experience about why I think it is a good thing to do, especially during times of stress. You know they say the body holds stress in the muscles. A yoga practice stretches and reinvigorates all the muscles and joints, and we let go of it, a little more every day.

So, that's one benefit.

Especially with the series I have been using, the music, the scenery, the expressions on the faces of those demonstrating the positions, the voice of the moderator, the way each session ends ~ all these feed into a strong, happy, relaxation response. I have done this for about 5 years, now. What I found as I learned the positions and was able to concentrate on being present during the sessions is an incredible feeling of strength and well-being. I like to do yoga in the morning, just as the sun is coming up. I am generally alone then, and it's an extraordinary thing. An excellent beginning to the day. Whatever is happening, if I continue my yoga practice, I get through it better. The other thing I would say is that practicing yoga, though it looks effortless, will make you very strong in your muscles. I think the flexibility that comes with practice gives us grace and strength and balance as we go about our day to day lives, too.

There used to be a program called FitTV. That is where I discovered this series, and how I came to begin it. If you want to try it, MWM, before buying it, I think they carry this series at the library. You could check for it online. I know some of the programs are on YouTube.

You know what the other program I did was?

Belly dancing.

:O)

Cedar

 

[witzend]

I used to enjoy Yoga for stretching before my balance got so bad.

Today as I was eating I sat at the table listening to the tree frogs and/or crickets. I've always found that to be a relaxing sound and they never seem to stop here. husband and I haven't decided if they stop in the winter, and have vowed to make a point to listen for them. I began to visualize them out there in their environment, and found it very relaxing. I will have to try that again when I am not trying to stay awake! I think that the Beatles are responsible for my love of that sound - very relaxing!

Mundo paparazzi mi amore cicce verdi parasol - ( loosely translated ) My love silences the; world’s annoying buzz like a green parasol

 

[Lothlorien]

A good cup of tea (and/or a glass of wine )
Listen to my favorite books on audio. They take me into someone else world and out of my own.
Read.
Crochet.
Walk.
Hot bath and soothing music.

I can't do meditation. I have the most bizarre and disturbing dreams after meditation. Creeps me out.