Life is hectic and stressful.  There is no way to sugar coat it.  Not only does stress make us feel run down and irritable, but it can cause a world of health issues too.  Studies have shown that there are significant health problems related to stress including heart disease, asthma, obesity, depression, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, and headaches.  Stress isn’t just a feeling.  You’re body physically responds to stress and, over time, it does take a toll on your overall health.

There are no tried and true ways to completely alleviate all the stress in your life.  Life is life and with living comes stress…work, kids, family, money, home, schedules, etc…  You can, however, make some changes in how you deal with stress.  By lowering your stress level and taking steps to simmer down a bit can drastically cut your risk for health issues related to stress.  It can also curb the irritability, difficulty sleeping, headaches, tension and fatigue.  I’ve tried many of these and they do help…

*Put on some tunes.  My ear buds are always in arms reach from my desk and I use them often.  When I start feeling overwhelmed, I reach for my ear buds and plug in some of my favorite music.  My taste in music, at times, would not be considered relaxation music, but it works.  Whether it’s Enya or Eminem, a session of some favorite tunes puts me back on track.

*All you chocoholics out there will love this one…studies show that eating just 1.4 oz of dark chocolate a day can lower your stress hormones.  This sweet stress relieving treat triggers the release of endorphins which boosts happiness.

*Talk to a friend.  I’ve had days that have ended in tears due to high stress levels.  I’ve called a friend and vented…cried, yelled, cussed up a storm and got it all out.  By the end of the conversation I feel worlds better and completely relaxed.

*You’re diet can have a huge impact on your stress level.  Opting for vending food items, sugary snacks and processed foods as a pick me up will do more harm than good.  Choose fresh fruit and foods high in omega 3 fatty acids which have been proven to reduce the symptoms of stress.

*Drink lots of tea.  Tea is a natural antioxidant and herbal teas can ease ailments brought on by stress.  A good example is passionflower.  It’s a vine found in the southern US and it’s been known to calm the nerves and ease anxiety.  Do your homework and invest in a couple of natural herb books to educate yourself on herbs that treat specific symptoms.

*The term “take a deep breath” isn’t just a saying…it really works.  When we experience high levels of stress our breathing becomes more rapid, our blood vessels constrict and our heart rate increases.  Take 5 minutes and stop what you’re doing.  Sit up straight in a chair, close your eyes, place your hands on your knees and breath in slow and deep.  Exhale slowly.  Do this for about five minutes.  Deep breathing oxygenates your blood and clears your mind.

*There is a great deal of truth in the expression ‘laughter is the best medicine.’  Laughing releases endorphins and lowers stress causing hormones.  During times of stress, when all else has failed, I play one of my favorite comedians on YouTube.  It lightens my mood and laughing  works off the stress.  After an hour I’m cured.  I always tell people that laughing is free therapy.

*Move!  That’s right, get a little exercise.  You don’t have to rush off to the gym for a strenuous kick boxing class or run a marathon, but just get up and move.  Any type of exercise gets the blood flowing.  In return, endorphins are released and your mood will improve almost immediately.

*Stress can cause you to lose sleep and not getting enough sleep can cause stress.  It’s a vicious cycle and it causes your body to be out of whack.  If falling asleep is impossible for you in times of high stress, it’s okay to take a mild OTC sleeping aid.  I usually opt for Tylenol PM or Advil PM.  Both are very mild and don’t have lingering effects the following day.  Do this for 3 nights and that should break the cycle.  If you are still suffering from stress related insomnia talk to your doctor about other alternatives.

*If lack of sleep from stress has slowed you down or you can’t seem to focus, reach for the jar of peanut butter.  Peanuts are packed with vitamin B-6 and that helps to regulate blood sugar and stabilize your mood.  Stick to the natural peanut butters to avoid a high sugar intake.

*Take your vitamins!  I got on a strict vitamin regimen a few years ago.  Prior to that I only took them when I remembered.  Now, I take them everyday and I have my pill box on my desk to remind me.  Once in a blue moon I forget to take them and I’ve noticed the difference.  Very few of us eat right and get the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals our bodies need.  Taking vitamins and supplements will compensate for that and in return, helps with stress levels and overall health.  Check out Puritans Pride for their buy 1 get 1 free or buy 2 get 3 free sale!

“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?

I am learning that the key do the best job that you can do, after that it’s out of your hands. There is no point in worrying about something you can’t change. Everyone needs ways to relieve the tensions of everyday life and lately my stress relief comes from the gym. My favorite method of torture is the spin classl. The more brutal the better. It feels so good to push the limits and leave all my stress back at the gym when I head for home.

With all that being said Ill leave you with a quote that sometimes helps me deal with life (I have it stuck to my bathroom mirror).

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” -Emerson