Stress Busters

I’m always amused by magazine articles that offer advice on how to quickly ease stress.  They offer insightful ways to instantly calm daily stress gently easing  you into a peaceful state of mind.  Some of the more comical suggestions I’ve read are ”roll up your area rugs and walk around your house barefoot like your on a beach house vacation.”  For those of us who have a fully carpeted house and have never been to a beach house this suggestion proves to be absolutely useless.

“Blow up a balloon in slow puffs” was another option.  Well, if you can get past the dizziness and the feeling that you’re going to faint, I’m sure this will work well for you.  Another one on the list was “drink a large glass of cold water and go for a walk.”   I was fairly optimistic about this one until I got down to the end of my road and had to rush home to use the little girls room.  The urge to try that one again simply wasn’t there.  My all time favorite suggestion was “crawl between your sheets after washing them with Tide Simple Pleasures Lavender.”  I think it’s fair to say that most of  us don’t have the option to walk away from our work or other daily obligations to do a load of laundry and take a nap.

Stress is a natural part of life.  We all have days when the stress level is low and other days when it blows through the roof.  Stress is one of those things you can’t run from…it will eventually find you.  Over the years, after trying countless unrealistic suggestions, I’ve developed my own stress busters.  Some have deemed them strange, but they work for me.  Here are a few:

1.  Hyper-Cleaning. I gear up with all of my cleaning supplies, crank up the stereo with some angry-feminist music (Ani DiFranco works well for me)  and I make my way through every room of the house.  If you try to talk to me during this stress buster mode of mine, I will not respond.  In fact, I will more than likely tell you to clear the room that I’m working on or just leave the house (seems to work the best).  By the time I’m done, I feel relaxed.

2.  Extreme Outside Work. For times when stress is blowing through the roof I will go outside and do something extremely strenuous.  It’s usually something that doesn’t need to be done, but I’m going to do it anyway.  It’s usually something that is completely ridiculous, but don’t try to stop me.  The last time I did this I stomped outside, got the weed wacker out and spent almost 3 hours “mowing” an overgrown lawn with the weed whacker.  Several people watched me, one of them offering to mow the lawn for me, but I was in my own world.  By the time I was done I literally could not bring a glass of water to my mouth because my arms were shaking so bad from the weed whacker.  I was sweaty and sore, but I felt 100% better.

3.  Time With Tanner. Ahh yes…there is nothing more comforting than spending time with our dog, Tanner.  I’ll start with sitting on the sofa and inviting him up with me.  He’s a huge loveable dog that thinks he’s tiny enough to curl up on my lap.  Once we’re situated I’ll rub his head and chest and eventually he’ll roll onto his back for his much loved tummy rub.  After he gives me a few licks of thanks on my arm or hand we’ll make our way to the kitchen where I whip up one of his favorite treats.  I’ll stuff his bone with peanut butter, make him a few peanut butter cookies (peanut butter between two dog biscuits) or, if it’s hot outside, I’ll give him his ultimate favorite…vanilla ice cream.

4.  Stand Up Comedy. Sometimes I am not able to take an hour or two and walk away to engage in my tried and true stress busters.  The ultimate fix for this is some stand up comedy on YouTube.  I am addicted to comedy and if you can make me laugh, you’ll have a friend for life.  I will forever believe that laughter is the best medicine and therapy.  No matter how stressed I am, a good dose of gut wrenching laughter makes me feel so much better.  One of my favorite comedians is Kevin James and there is a segment that he does called, “Underwear Problems.”  I’ve seen it a million times but I laugh hysterically every time I see it.  Instant stress buster for me.

What are you’re stress busters?