I agree! Going home and straight to the deck for at least 30 minutes of Zen! No books, no phone, no TV. Free your mind! Great way to start the day as well!
Like many other people, I have a TON of stress, both from my personal and professional life. Sometimes, they will even overlap and effect each other. My "secret weapon" is deep breathing. When I feel the stress creeping up on me and I feel like I'm going to snap, I sit in a quiet area for about 5 minutes, close my eyes and just take slow, deep breathes until I feel better. I also snuggle with my cat and give my hubby a long, embracing hug!! It's the small things that make the big stuff tolerable!!!
Shannon, Great to hear you have a nice range of outlets. It's wonderful to have a diverse set of 'secret weapons' in your arsenal when coping with stress.
Dr. Melissa Read
These are my top 3 ways of alleviating stress:
1. get a massage
2. talk and laugh with friends
3. listen to music
I live an hour from my school, the long drive home helps me unwind
1. praying
2. reading the Bible
3. Exercise
These are the three things that help me to alleviate stress.
Rebecca, These all sound like great outlets. I really love how you mentioned gardening. That's such a great outlet and yet I don't hear about that a lot from instructors.
Dr. Melissa Read
I find gardening, weeding, digging and petting my 2 pups... anything to do with nature relieves my stress and makes me feel productive and refreshed all at the same time.
Yoga definately makes my top three, as well as taking a little time out in the morning to journal and really, to be still.
I also love tending to my little balcony garden!
Oh, and petting the cat--that's a great, not to mention quick-and-easy, stress relief.
Marsha, Thanks for sharing. Line dancing is certainly a unique secret weapon that I don't hear about too often! Sounds like you have found some wonderful ways to relax and unwind. Good for you!
Dr. Melissa Read
I have a top three also
1. walking in the shopping strip (next to my job)
2. Line Dancing
3. sitting on my patio, sometimes I plant flowers
Karla, Those all sound like great outlets. Thanks for sharing. Over the many years that I have instructed this course, I've heard all kinds of suggestions. In addition to the ones you mentioned, walking pets, breathing exercises and yoga also tend to be popular.
Dr. Melissa Read
