Category Archives: Stress Busters

Four Ways to Deal with Stress

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Here are four simple techniques for managing stress:

  1. Positive Self-Talk
    Self-talk is one way to deal with stress. We all talk to ourselves; sometimes we talk out loud but usually we keep self-talk in our heads. Self-talk can be positive (“I can do this” or “Things will work out”) or negative (“I’ll never get well” or “I’m so stupid”).
    Negative self-talk increases stress. Positive self-talk helps you calm down and control stress. With practice, you can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones.For example:

    Negative Positive
    “I can’t do this.” “I’ll do the best I can.”
    “Everything is going wrong.” “I can handle things if I take one step at a time.”
    “I hate it when this happens.” “I know how to deal with this; I’ve done it before.”

    To help you feel better, practice positive self-talk every day — in the car, at your desk, before you go to bed or whenever you notice negative thoughts.
    Having trouble getting started? Try positive statements such as these:

    • “I’ve got this.”
    • “I can get help if I need it.”
    • “We can work it out.”
    • “I won’t let this problem get me down.”
    • “Things could be worse.”
    • “I’m human, and we all make mistakes.”
    • “Some day I’ll laugh about this.”
    • “I can deal with this situation.”Remember: Positive self-talk helps you relieve stress and deal with the situations that cause you stress.
  2. Emergency Stress Stoppers
    There are many stressful situations — at work, at home, on the road and in public places. We may feel stress because of poor communication, too much work and everyday hassles like standing in line. Emergency stress stoppers help you deal with stress on the spot.Try these emergency stress stoppers. You may need different stress stoppers for different situations and sometimes it helps to combine them.

    • Count to 10 before you speak.
    • Take three to five deep breaths.
    • Walk away from the stressful situation, and say you’ll handle it later.
    • Go for a walk.
    • Don’t be afraid to say “I’m sorry” if you make a mistake.
    • Set your watch five to 10 minutes ahead to avoid the stress of being late.
    • Break down big problems into smaller parts. For example, answer one letter or phone call per day, instead of dealing with everything at once.
    • Drive in the slow lane or avoid busy roads to help you stay calm while driving.
    • Smell a rose, hug a loved one or smile at your neighbor.
    • Consider meditation or prayer to break the negative cycle.
  3. Finding Pleasure
    When stress makes you feel bad, do something that makes you feel good. Doing things you enjoy is a natural way to fight off stress.You don’t have to do a lot to find pleasure. Even if you’re ill or down, you can find pleasure in simple things such as going for a drive, chatting with a friend or reading a good book.Try to do at least one thing every day that you enjoy, even if you only do it for 15 minutes.Such as:

    1. Start an art project (oil paint, sketch, create a scrap book or finger paint with grandchildren).
    2. Take up a hobby, new or old.
    3. Read a favorite book, short story, magazine or newspaper.
    4. Have coffee or a meal with friends.
    5. Play golf, tennis, ping-pong or bowl.
    6. Sew, knit or crochet.
    7. Listen to music during or after you practice relaxation.
    8. Take a nature walk — listen to the birds, identify trees and flowers.
    9. Make a list of everything you still want to do in life.
    10. Watch an old movie on TV or rent a video.
    11. Take a class at your local college.
    12. Play cards or board games with family and friends.
  4. Daily Relaxation
    Relaxation is more than sitting in your favorite chair watching TV. To relieve stress, relaxation should calm the tension in your mind and body. Some good forms of relaxation are yoga, tai chi (a series of slow, graceful movements) and meditation.Like most skills, relaxation takes practice. Many people join a class to learn and practice relaxation skills.Deep breathing is a form of relaxation you can learn and practice at home using the following steps. It’s a good skill to practice as you start or end your day. With daily practice, you will soon be able to use this skill whenever you feel stress.

    1. Sit in a comfortable position with your feet on the floor and your hands in your lap or lie down. Close your eyes.
    2. Picture yourself in a peaceful place. Perhaps you’re lying on the beach, walking in the mountains or floating in the clouds. Hold this scene in your mind.
    3. Inhale and exhale. Focus on breathing slowly and deeply.
    4. Continue to breathe slowly for 10 minutes or more.
    5. Try to take at least five to 10 minutes every day for deep breathing or another form of relaxation.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/StressManagement/FourWaystoDealWithStress/Four-Ways-to-Deal-with-Stress_UCM_307996_Article.jsp#.WHfLC9IrKM8

Holiday Blues?

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The season is a time full of joy, parties, and family gatherings. However, many times unwanted stress and depression can creep into our holiday cheer. Nonetheless, there are a variety of simple things you can do that may help lift your spirit.

 

What Causes Holiday Blues?
Many factors can cause the “holiday blues”: stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization, financial constraints, and the inability to be with one’s family and friends. The demands of shopping, parties, family reunions, and house guests also contribute to feelings of tension. People who do not become depressed may develop other stress responses, such as: headaches, excessive drinking, over-eating, and difficulty sleeping. Even more people experience post-holiday let down after January 1st. This can result from disappointments during the preceding months compounded with the excess fatigue and stress.

Coping with Stress and Depression During the Holidays

  • Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable. Try to set realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself. Organize your time. Make a list and prioritize the important activities. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Do not put entire focus on just one day (i.e., Christmas) remember it is a season of holiday sentiment and activities can be spread out (time-wise) to lessen stress and increase enjoyment.
  • Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely; there is room for these feelings to be present, even if one chooses not to express them. Everyone experiences feelings of being overwhelmed and it is good to recognize your limits. Pay attention to your feelings and feel free to express them when wanted.
  • Leave “yesteryear” in the past and look toward the future. Life brings changes. Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its own way. Don’t set yourself up in comparing today with the “good ol’ days.”
  • Do something for someone else. Try volunteering some time to help others.
  • Enjoy activities that are free, such as driving around to look at holiday decorations; going window shopping without buying; making a snowperson with children, enjoy street carolers.
  • Be aware that excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of depression.
  • Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.
  • Spend time with supportive and caring people. Reach out and make new friends or contact someone you have not heard from for awhile.
  • Save time for yourself! Recharge your batteries! Let others share responsibility of activities.

Can Environment Be a Factor?
Recent studies show that some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which results from fewer hours of sunlight as the days grow shorter during the winter months. Photo-therapy, a treatment involving a few hours of exposure to intense light, is effective in relieving depressive symptoms in patients with SAD.

Other studies on the benefits of photo-therapy found that exposure to early morning sunlight was effective in relieving seasonal depression. Recent findings, however, suggest that patients respond equally well to photo-therapy whether it is scheduled in the early afternoon. This has practical applications for antidepressant treatment since it allows the use of photo-therapy in the workplace as well as the home.

http://www.mymentalhealthday.org/2012/12/what-to-do-with-the-holiday-blues/

Active Family Fun Through the Holidays

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family-sledding

The holidays are full of delicious feasts, turkey dinners, and tantalizing sweets left and right. Add on top of that the inherent sense of laziness that comes with vacation, and finding a chance to exercise feels impossible and nearly useless.

Just 30 minutes of activity each day can keep your weight gain under control. Exercise also relieves stress, which you might be experiencing a lot of during the holidays, and makes you feel better about yourself. But exercise doesn’t have to be something exhausting or strenuous, and there are plenty of fun ways to keep yourself and the kids active during the holidays.

Making Time

During the holidays, it’s easy to find your schedule full of activities. For those with busy schedules, the best plan of action is to make exercise the first thing on your agenda. Working out first thing in the morning helps make exercise a priority. Working out in the evening can prove difficult because you have places to go and people to see—and plenty of time throughout the day to come up with excuses for why you can’t exercise.
Remember, just 30 minutes a day is enough to keep in shape. If you have trouble finding time, try to spread those 30 minutes into three 10-minute workouts over the course of the day. Ten minutes is enough for a simple workout routine that includes jogging, jumping jacks, jump rope, or weights.

Out for a Walk

Walking is a low-impact activity that offers limited strain, making it great for everyone in the family. The great thing about walking is that it can be done just about anywhere: the mall, the local high school track, a parking lot, or just around the block. During those holiday shopping trips, park a little further away to extend the amount of walking you have to do (and avoid fighting over parking with other holiday shoppers).

Get creative and include your family. Take a nature walk during the day and explore the natural beauty around you. If the area is familiar enough, you can set up a scavenger hunt for the little ones. After an especially filling dinner, take a walk around the block with the family. You can stay active while taking a look at all of the holiday decorations in the neighborhood.

Incorporating Chores

We have all experienced the tiring effects of doing chores around the house. As strange as it might seem, doing those tedious chores is also a great way to burn some calories. Grab a shovel and clear that snow in your driveway, or rake those leaves scattered across the front yard.

Just walking around your house can be considered a physical activity:

  • Walk up and down the steps
  • Carry your laundry
  • Sweep the floor
  • Clean those windows (yes—even the top corners!)

Aside from burning some calories, these activities will help your home look clean and tidy and leave you more room for holiday fun.

Holiday Activities

While some people assume “physical activity” means sweating it out at the gym, many of the fun holiday activities you do with your family could quite easily be exercise.

Spending an evening out ice skating is sure to get your heart pumping, but you might not even notice with all the fun you’re having (or the falling you might be doing). The same could be said of skiing and snowboarding, both of which are great workouts for your legs and heart.

Even more unconventional holiday activities could help you burn some calories. Going out for an evening of caroling is a classic way to spread the holiday cheer while getting your butt off the couch. A holiday dance party will keep everyone happy, moving, and grooving for hours on end.

Playing in the Snow

Snow doesn’t fall in all parts of the United States, but it can make for some fun physical activities if you find yourself in a winter wonderland.

  • Making a snowman (or snowwoman) takes a lot of work, exercising your muscles and your heart perfectly.
  • Gather your family and friends for a good old-fashioned snow ball fight. All of that running, ducking, and throwing burns several hundred calories per hour. Keep it safe—no hard-packed snowballs, no ice, and faces are off limits.
  • Even making snow angels works out your upper and lower body.
  • Sledding is great because in order to enjoy the fun of flying down the hill, you have to walk up first—and everyone will want several turns. Add challenge by making your own trail up the hill. The resistance of walking through untouched snow offers a great workout!

Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

As important as working out is, understand that the holidays are here, and that means spending time with your family and friends. When it comes to your well-being, it’s important to keep a proper balance between your social activities and your physical care. Be sure to squeeze in some fun physical activity, but make sure you enjoy every moment of the holiday season, too.

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photo courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt

– See more at: http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/ways-to-be-active-during-the-holidays/#sthash.EjcpDwzW.dpuf

Hold the Line – “bing/bulge” Control

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buffetTurn away from the buffet. Move as far away from the buffet as you can. One study on buffet eating behaviors observed that diners with higher BMIs were more likely to sit facing the buffet, use larger plates, and pile the food on before seeing all the dish options. You might want to grab a napkin, too. Diners with lower BMIs placed napkins in their laps, used smaller plates, chewed their food more per bite, perused the offerings prior to serving, and did not sit near or face the buffet (3).

Think before you drink. Holiday beverages can contain an obscenely excessive amount of calories–with or without the alcohol. A cup of eggnog can deliver 350 calories, a creamy White Russian has 260 calories, while a medium pumpkin spice latte will set you back 380 spicy calories.  Lower calorie choices include a flute of champagne at 90 calories or wine spritzers–a diluted sparkling water and fruit mixture, even a “skinny” peppermint mocha comes in at 130 steaming calories. And as a reminder, alcohol can also interfere with proper nutrition, recuperative sleep, hydration levels, muscle recovery, stress hormone levels, and the immune system.

Snug in their beds. Sleep is important for adults, eight good hours a night is typically recommended. Getting enough sleep helps control weight, keeps the immune system functioning optimally, reduces feelings of stress and stress-related illnesses, and helps put you in a better mood.

http://blog.nasm.org/nutrition/battle-holiday-bulge-begins/

Holiday Tip for Decreasing Stress

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Set a family intention for the holiday season

Intentions are extremely powerful. Have your family determine and express exactly what you want this holiday season. What is important to the family? Time spent together at home or out at parties? A family vacation? Treasured traditions (and which ones)? Lots of gifts? Discuss your intentions as a family and perhaps arrive at some new ones.

Thanksgiving_1900

http://www.frugal-mama.com/2012/12/8-ways-to-simplify-the-holidays-for-more-joy-and-less-stress/