Stress

Stress is nothing new especially in this unpredictable scary world we are living in. Stress has been around since the beginning of time, and it doesn’t appear to be going out of style any time soon. How we deal with it goes a long way to determining how productive and happy we end up being. 

It’s sometimes difficult to carve out a section of your day for exercise, and for some of us, 8 hours of sleep can be an all too rare luxury. If that describes you, here are some other stress relievers you can try out:

• Stop and smell the roses (or the veggies)… or whatever your favorite scent is. Smell is one of our most primal senses, and certain aromas (like lavender) have been consistently shown to reduce stress levels. We are so fortunate to have the lovely Tower Hill Botanic Garden a pleasant drive away, but even a walk in your garden or down the street can help break the stress cycle.
  
• Art Therapy.  Try getting your frustration out on canvas. It can be surprisingly fun and relaxing, not to mention colorful. If you think it matters that you have to ‘draw a straight line’ to do art, look up Jackson Pollack on Google.
  
• Hang with your pet.  Many studies have shown pet owners report feeling less stress out—most likely thanks to having a furry friend.
  
• Crank up the tunes.  Music has been shown to help relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers.
  
• Take a walk.  If vigorous exercise isn’t for you, even a quiet, meditative stroll can do wonders for stress relief, especially when we step outdoors.  
  
• Get a massage.  Even low levels of stress can cause your body to be tense, so what better way to relax than to loosen up some of those stiff joints? Even acupuncture can help you with stress. 

Whether we like it or not, stress is a frequent companion in our lives. With the proper management, it doesn’t have to be an unwelcome tag-a-long.  

How do you unwind?