Stress Less, Live More
How to Deal with the “S” Word | Guest Post by Dr. Jay Warren
Meditating woman sitting cross-legged with back to the sea
Your house is a mess. You got stuck in traffic. You were late to work. Your dog ate your favorite wedges. The humidity has turned your hair into a frizz-ball. And that stupid color wheel of death won’t leave your computer screen.
You can feel tired, frustrated and ready to hit that happy hour hard.
1) Breathe
– Dr. Jay explains that when you go into ‘stress mode’ your breathing shuts down and your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen. Take a few moments to take some big ‘belly breaths.’ Breathe deep in through your nose, letting your tummy expand and let it out through your mouth. You’ll let go of stress and feel more energized.
2) S-T-R-E-T-C-H
– The ‘fight or flight’ stress reaction tightens muscles so that you will be ready to confront a saber toothed tiger or Snooki or Snooki riding a saber tooth tiger (hey, after she’s had a couple of drinks anything is possible). Instead of stressing or fighting, try to stretch out your neck, shoulders and lower back.
Here are a few easy stretches to try.
3) Just Say “NO” – Trying to do too many things in too little time is stressful.
Say “No” to new obligations and say “Yes” to clearing your plate to make room for new things that make you smile.
4) Drink Your Troubles Away – Stress produces inflammation in your body that in turn causes pain, hurts digestion, and increases irritability. Drink more water to flush those toxins out of your body, washing your stress away with it.
5) Recharge Your Batteries – If you think that “someday” you’ll find the time to relax, think again. It’s all too easy to keep pushing off that day. Make an appointment with yourself this week for a little R&R. Read a book, watch a sunset, go for a walk…anything that unplugs you from the day-to-day grind and plugs you back into yourself.
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Loving all of your tips! I definitely need a better way to deal with stress.
Haha I got excited and curious when you said DRINK your troubles away lol – seriously though people do NOT realize they are not getting enough water! I meditate daily for myself and as part of my spiritual work that I do. GREAT article!
I have high anxiety levels so stretching out and taking a breather will help
I need to try these tips because I always feel stressed. One thing I need to start right now is to drink more water.
Those are all great ideas. Sometime we can’t help but feel stressed it’s a good thing we have lots of ways to deal with them.
Great tips for stress management! Thanks for them.
I am so grateful to have clients but they are my biggest cause for stress. I will use your techniques when they get too demanding. Great post.
Be positive is the strongest stress relief solution problem for me.
This is a perfect post for me. lately I’m really stress. and i need to re charge
I’m a person who is mostly relaxed and “zen” in stressful sitations, but sometimes it hits me too – these are very good tips. Thank you for sharing!
Great tips… Life is very stressful and the only thing we can do is to be happy or try to be happy
This is a useful tips for me. and i love this Instead of stressing or fighting
I’m glad you found them useful!
That so helpful and informative. I will share this.
Thank you for your comment and for sharing. I really appreciate it!
I have a hard time dealing with stress in any other way than sleeping. It’s like my body shuts down!
Sleeping is always good. If you can take 5min before you sleep to meditate and appreciate what your grateful for, you can wake up feeling more refreshed and reiterated too! Breath deeply 🙂
I find yoga is a great way to reduce stress and feel better!
Yes!!! I love yoga too. Namaste!
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we communicate?
I have struggled with stress quite often in the past. The biggest thing, taking on too much. I’ve learned that balance is the thing I need most, and yes saying no when I need to. I feel guilt when I say no and then that guilt stresses me out though…so it seems I have to learn not to feel guilty with saying no.
Definitely. You serve others best when you are your best self. Taking care of your needs first, makes you your best self. So important to remember. It’s like when you’re on the plane and they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first before you help your child. If you pass out, because you go to help them first, you both suffer the consequence.
If as individuals we do not learn to deal with stress then we might be in for a rude awakening. So just do it!
i really need to put the “breathe more” into practice as i have seen how much that is impacted when i am stressed out.
Yes, remembering to breath deeply and often is so important. The more you do it, the more it becomes a habit too. All the best!
Love your tips I already follow some of them and although it’s not easy to have a stress free life I’m working on it
That’s great! Thank you for letting me know.:-)
Fight away the S word. Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Someday I’ll find time to relax. OR today I will MAKE time. I think you nailed it, we won’t get it if we don’t make it.
Breathing always works for me. I will try stretching next time I feel stressed.
Ooh yes I absolutely find myself doing the #1 Breathe! Deep breaths. Especially now while I’m healing.
I also agree about the drinking of the water.
Great list. Thank you!
I have to say I deal with stress and anxiety quiet often. These are great tips. I will be saving this to help. Thanks for sharing.
Shhh! Don’t say that S word! I’m knocking on wood over here… And of course pinning this post so I can deal with it when it comes 🙂
Great tips. I use to do deep breathe and stretch. Thanks for sharing
This is a great read to beat stress. I joined yoga classes, workshops when i was in NY. It was really a good experince. My son is 14 this year. Whenever he deals with stress, three deep breaths would be helpful to beat stress, he knows it. I will pin it to read when i need, thanks!