find a hobbie
i have found that working on motorcycles helps me to relax. sometimes i just hang out in my garage and look at the stuff i have been working on.
Jimmy. What if you were a mechanic ?
I tell my students all the time... if I teach you mechanics all day, I am not going to go home and work on my motorcycle all night.
It's finding the right balance. Your hobby to me should be something totally disassociated from your career. A totally different mindset. For anyone who has not exercised on a regular basis, this is what I would recommend to start with. It really is amazing how this relieves stress. Bring your phone and listen to music.
Geary, Thanks for sharing. What a truly interesting combination. This is one that has not been shared before. Yes, both outlets can reduce stress in one way or another.
Dr. Melissa Read
Music and guns, now there is no better way to enjoy a stress relief system than these. Playing guitar is my calming factor whereas shooting at the range takes the anger and aggressive feeling I have balled up inside me to be relieved. Those at the range are there to enjoy their time being alone or with just another person. Shooting requires concentration and focus - this take one's mind off the stress at work and transfers your thoughts to something positive like destroying a target and no one getting hurt. I believe a bad day at the shooting range is still better than a great day at work.
Michael, Sounds like a wonderful outlet. Sailing is such a great way to just get away. Sometimes it's nice to escape and take a little retreat from people too. It can help some instructors clear their minds and press the reset button.
Dr. Melissa Read
You have to have your own outlet, your own time. To many people will try and take YOUR TIME away from you and you just have to say NO. Every week end I have MY DAY and go sailing with nobody around.
Scott, Sounds like you have found two wonderful outlets. Yes, working in the garage is something I hear about often from instructors. People love to tinker and work on their cars. Getting back to nature is another great approach.
Dr. Melissa Read
I find that working on my projects in the garage relaxes me but my big stress reliever was hiking in the forest and sitting by a creek for a while. Exercise and solitude.
Donna, What a great method. I should note that there are many games to choose from that you can play on the computer. Some are just for fun, but others help with learning. If you know you need to learn a new subject or something else that's important for your work, you might try seeing out that kind of education in gaming content - since you know how well you respond to this format.
Dr. Melissa Read
Word games on the computer for about a half hour every day is the way I release stress. I find myself concentrating on the words and not on the stress from work. After a while I can feel my shoulders relax and the tension subsides. It works for me!
John, Sounds like a wonderful outlet. Glad to hear you have found a hobbie that you enjoy so much and one that really helps you unwind.
Dr. Melissa Read
I do the samething with my hot rods and just relax working on them nothing has to be done right away so there is no pressure i just relax and enjoy it
I too retreat to my garage,I reload shotgun shells for clay target shooting, which is my hobbie. I found that with some low volume music on I relax and the time fly's by.
Timothy, The garage can be such a great escape. It's wonderful to get away, especially when we can do that in our own homes.
Dr. Melissa Read
I personally find watching my sports teams adds stress but agree with Jimmy in going to the garage to tinker and escape.
I've recently begun taking an introductory course in creating stained glass pieces. While it takes alot of focus and care and dexterity, it helps me to relax and shift focus.
I have found that taking my mind off work and focusing on my favorite sport through news sites is a great stress reliever when I can't get out of the office or away long enough to have a physical hobby.
This is also my preferred method of stress relief, except my hobbie is playing drums or guitar. Turning a bedroom into a sound studio took awhile but has been totally worth the effort. My kids are all musicians so we get to spend some quality time together also when we "jam" together. After a good "jam session" I'm back at Stress Level Zero. ( Hey, that should be the name of our "Partridge Family" band) (JK)
Jimmy, That sounds like a great outlet. Sometimes tinkering with a hobby item is the perfect getaway. I like how you don't have to go too far to get away too.
Dr. Melissa Read
