Quick note:For those of you who may not already be aware STEVE is launching his challenge today. Get thee to his blog and get thy arse in goal-achieving gear.
MizFit, I know you are a fan of yoga and meditating but sometimes I need in the moment stress relief? any tips for fast relief (like before a meeting with my boss 
nothing life or death but stressful anyway)? Thanks.
I picked this email because I can entirely relate.
While I love to do yoga and have come to adore my morning meditation minutesand alliteration some days life is just too jam-packed for me to make time for either.
Yes that rings close to an excuse —but some days it’s merely the way it is.
As a result Ive found a few ways which work for me to de-stress in an instant.
My go-to’s for those moments when the Tornado has me frazzled, work deadlines loom and, inevitably, 8000 other things are shouting for my attention as well.
Back in the day, before he had his own show, I actually liked the Phil.
One of my favorite things was when he’d ask people in crisis/at a crossroads: What’s the worst that could happen?
99% of the time this “worst” really wasnt even all that bad & the realization of this allowed the individual to move forward/get ‘unstuck’ in a much more calm and zen fashion.
The majority of the time my asking what’s the worst that could happen allows me to realize what *feels* highly stressful in that moment really isnt so in the scope of life.
Anyone else remember when Jon Lovitz was a guest on the show Friends?
Yada yada yada J.L. ended up high, in Monica’s kitchen & yammering about tartlets.
The more he said the word the more hilarious it sounded to him ( T artlets? Tartlets? Tartlets? The word has lost all meaning.).
Many times that’s precisely what I need to allow myself see how unfounded my stress really is. Please to try it with the word fork. Repetition can make most anything seem, well, silly.
- I take control of how I interpret my body’s signals.
It was a life changing experience for me when I realized the body interprets the feeling of stress and the feeling of excitement in practically the same manner.
In both instances our bodies become tense & all of our senses grow increasingly aroused.
When we view a situation as stressful we identify the bodily feeling as “bad.” When we are in an exciting situation we define these same sensations as exciting or thrilling! ( think about it. pretty cool huh? )
As a result, whenever possible I try to change my INTERPRETATION of the messages my body is sending. I instead try and view the sensations as STRESSCITEMENT if nothing else.
- I sniff my way stress-free.
This is something Ive recently started doing and it’s nothing if not PERFECT for stress-reduction on the go.
Lavender, jasmine, vanilla and chamomile are examples of four scents (ones Ive tried) which are purported to have calming effects on the sniffer. Everything from lowering blood pressure to easing anxiety. (There’s a full listing here )
A few years ago I would have entirely mocked this approach. Now, with my busy life & hectic schedule, Im a firm believer in the power of taking a moment to stop, sniff and visualize/inhale my way to calm.
Finding my tips a smidgetad lame I also took a moment to hit up Twitter & see what other ideas people had for stress reduction on the go.
@brandapolk Deep, focused breathing as I pray.
@beginning2tri Deep, deep breaths. And I put the problem in perspective…is the world going to end if this doesn’t work out? Nope.
@amerrylife Usually a quick walk. Or I pace. It relaxes me, haha.
@fitbottomgirl I remind myself I’m in control of how I feel.
@thewwchick When I need to destress, that means it’s time to do something for me instead of for everyone else. Alone time is good.
@balancesusan A good laugh will decrease my stress level in an instant!
@goodskinla Music. It affects the nervous system and generates emotional responses!
@dbwrite4u Controlled breathing & concentrating on my heart rate works 4 me. Also fresh air. Close my eyes & picture someone/thing I love.
@cashmereclutch I recall a wonderful moment in my past.
@gazellesoncrack gin.
So, there you have it.
Everything from tartletting, to music, to laughter.
Now it’s your turn.
Have a better idea for vanquishing our emailer’s stress?
Tips on the best music gin
please to hit us all up in the comments.
Quick note:For those of you who may not already be aware STEVE is launching his challenge today. Get thee to his blog and get thy arse in goal-achieving gear.
I picked this email because I can entirely relate.
While I love to do yoga and have come to adore my morning meditation minutesand alliteration some days life is just too jam-packed for me to make time for either.
Yes that rings close to an excuse —but some days it’s merely the way it is.
As a result Ive found a few ways which work for me to de-stress in an instant.
My go-to’s for those moments when the Tornado has me frazzled, work deadlines loom and, inevitably, 8000 other things are shouting for my attention as well.
Back in the day, before he had his own show, I actually liked the Phil.
One of my favorite things was when he’d ask people in crisis/at a crossroads: What’s the worst that could happen?
99% of the time this “worst” really wasnt even all that bad & the realization of this allowed the individual to move forward/get ‘unstuck’ in a much more calm and zen fashion.
The majority of the time my asking what’s the worst that could happen allows me to realize what *feels* highly stressful in that moment really isnt so in the scope of life.
Anyone else remember when Jon Lovitz was a guest on the show Friends?
Yada yada yada J.L. ended up high, in Monica’s kitchen & yammering about tartlets.
The more he said the word the more hilarious it sounded to him ( T artlets? Tartlets? Tartlets? The word has lost all meaning.).
Many times that’s precisely what I need to allow myself see how unfounded my stress really is. Please to try it with the word fork. Repetition can make most anything seem, well, silly.
It was a life changing experience for me when I realized the body interprets the feeling of stress and the feeling of excitement in practically the same manner.
In both instances our bodies become tense & all of our senses grow increasingly aroused.
When we view a situation as stressful we identify the bodily feeling as “bad.” When we are in an exciting situation we define these same sensations as exciting or thrilling! ( think about it. pretty cool huh? )
As a result, whenever possible I try to change my INTERPRETATION of the messages my body is sending. I instead try and view the sensations as STRESSCITEMENT if nothing else.
This is something Ive recently started doing and it’s nothing if not PERFECT for stress-reduction on the go.
Lavender, jasmine, vanilla and chamomile are examples of four scents (ones Ive tried) which are purported to have calming effects on the sniffer. Everything from lowering blood pressure to easing anxiety. (There’s a full listing here )
A few years ago I would have entirely mocked this approach. Now, with my busy life & hectic schedule, Im a firm believer in the power of taking a moment to stop, sniff and visualize/inhale my way to calm.
Finding my tips a smidgetad lame I also took a moment to hit up Twitter & see what other ideas people had for stress reduction on the go.
So, there you have it.
Everything from tartletting, to music, to laughter.
Now it’s your turn.
Have a better idea for vanquishing our emailer’s stress?
Tips on the best music gin
or scents to select in our quest for less stress?please to hit us all up in the comments.