Healthy ways to reduce stress

vim_n_vigor
vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
in Motivation and Support
What are your healthy ways to reduce stress in your life?

Replies

  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    exercise- gives you some great thinking time, and gives your more energy to tackle the things that are stressing you out
    lots of people like meditation and yoga
  • Auzziedoggie
    Auzziedoggie Posts: 66 Member
    Dedicated relaxation time. :)

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (it's not just for the clinically depressed/anxious)

    Baths

    Walks in nature

    Reading with tea

    Watching inspiring documentaries about far away and beautiful places

    Focusing on a hobby and researching the equipment/supplies needed to fulfill said hobby.

    A workout with new workout clothes/heart rate monitor/new playlist.


    For right now? Go read some articles on TinyBuddha.com (it's not religious - more like a psychology blog written by people with personal experience overcoming whatever challenges)
  • links_slayer
    links_slayer Posts: 1,151 Member
    running, lifting, golfing in summer/ice fishing in winter (although the alcohol consumed during these two activities may not qualify as "healthy" to you), chill time with my dog
  • 2_FitNFab
    2_FitNFab Posts: 163 Member
    Headphones on and Running shoes! It works wonders!
  • sculli123
    sculli123 Posts: 1,221 Member
    workout and music
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I like that Tinybudda.com. I'll have to check it out more!
  • luv_lea
    luv_lea Posts: 1,094 Member
    Music, exercise, RUNNING, going on hike to a beautiful place, long hot bubble baths, having a glass of wine on my back porch...
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Exercise. Really, it's the best thing I could have done to help my stress levels.

    At work, it often means that I'm walking during my breaks and during lunch.

    At home, it means I'm walking more, or getting my weightlifting work in.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Sex.

    Which is probably why my stress levels are sky high.

    Nom sayin?
  • lavendy17
    lavendy17 Posts: 309 Member
    Singing!

    I also devised a personal mantra that I repeat when I get all worked up about something. I really like to use the term 'let go'.
    Deep breaths, relaxing when you exhale. Sound so trivial, but works for me.
  • becky10rp
    becky10rp Posts: 573 Member
    Working out - with your favorite music

    Hanging out with your pet

    Talking to your best friend - or Sister

    Reading
  • BioDen
    BioDen Posts: 4 Member
    I agree, jogging/running. Total therapy for me, plus I am getting a lot fitter already after just four weeks. I have never jogged before in my life, but the programme I am following starts you off very slowly and builds up the time you can jog non stop over weeks.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Sex.

    Which is probably why my stress levels are sky high.

    Nom sayin?

    Haha, yes, this too. But that's kind of exercise, amirite?
  • Maryam2207
    Maryam2207 Posts: 16 Member
    Exercise and me time
  • Ilikelamps
    Ilikelamps Posts: 482 Member
    Spanking the monkey
  • Diff3r
    Diff3r Posts: 1
    Exercise, oh yeah!

    Running, which is actually more like dragging myself down the street as I hitch and try to catch my breath right now.

    Serenading my friends and family with annoying 70's and 80's tunes. Makes me laugh every time :D
  • KrzyGal
    KrzyGal Posts: 139 Member
    Working out and the beach helps me reduce the stress!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • Bernadette60614
    Bernadette60614 Posts: 707 Member
    A tough work out every morning. I've belonged to the same gym for 20 years, and I don't think I "know" anyone there. I go there to work out and afterwards I feel fantastic.

    Every night, I note in a journal the following: The Challenge of the day, My plan to overcome the challenge, what I've savored and what I'm grateful for. It helps me to feel as if each day has some progress attached.

    Every night, I write down "The Big 5" for the next day, those 3 things I want ot accomplish in my work, and 2 things I want to accompllish at home.
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    choking the one eyed monster... with or without company... that's HOW Emu's roll babeeee!!!
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    ummm maybe I should have said "me time".. that... that IS what ME time is right? anyone?
  • Leggylass
    Leggylass Posts: 215
    sex (sorry it has to be said)

    music
    singing
    dancing
    yoga
    sketching
    sculpting with clay
    baking cakes
    cooking
    cleaning the house if i am really upset or stressed :tongue:
  • fannyfrost
    fannyfrost Posts: 756 Member
    I have various things, some mentioned above:

    Reading
    Sipping tea
    Word games
    Soak in the tub
    Relaxing and reading by the pool (weather permitting)
    Yoga
    Exercise - Kickbox, Zumba or lifting
    Dancing
    Take a minute to stop and organize what needs to be done, where I am, etc.

    Anything that is an escape, my daughter and I went to Six Flags Great Adventure and all the stress left for a whole day. Its hard to be stressed about work or other stuff when you are on a Rollercoaster :) I love rollercoasters.

    They say the best thing is to calm your mind and bring yourself in to yourself. Deep breathing doesn't do much for me.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Sex.

    Which is probably why my stress levels are sky high.

    Nom sayin?

    Haha, yes, this too. But that's kind of exercise, amirite?

    If you're doin it right. It could be HIIT.
  • lavendy17
    lavendy17 Posts: 309 Member
    Also painting your nails, if you're into that.

    Sometimes it helps to "pre" deal with your stress. If you know you have stuff coming up, having a game plan in advance is a sure way to decrease the exposure to stress in the first place.
  • JeffInJax
    JeffInJax Posts: 232 Member
    My biggest stress reliever is pushing around some iron at the gym, there has been many days where im stressed upset or angry about something, and my workouts benefit from being even more intense then normal and I always leave feeling calm and relaxed compared to how I went in.
  • abs0830
    abs0830 Posts: 319 Member
    Meditation (up to 30 minutes)
    Exercise
    Changing the way I think...positive instead of negative. I have issues on control, so I say "I can't control everything" and believe it!

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