The
“Stress Excuse” Can Be Fun!
By
Ruth Anne Plourde
Stress,
stressed, stressed out and overwhelming stress.
Do these words put fear into your heart? Do they
make you anxious? Do they make you feel stressed?
For most of us the word stress (or any form of
the word stress) is a “six letter word”
that has negative connotations. It stimulates
images of being frazzled, of pulling one’s
hair out and of being tired and crabby. On the
other hand, it has also become a good word to
use as an excuse to get out of things we don’t
like to do or don’t want to do. It is, however,
serious business when we read the research results
of how chronic unrelieved stress can be detrimental
to our health.
I
would like to suggest that we not get bogged down
with the doom and gloom of stress. Let’s
look at the “stress excuse” as a way
to have fun, a way to put joy and happiness in
our life and a way to create balance and harmony
in our lives -- the end result being health, happiness
and less stress.
If
you have not thought about the idea that stress
can actually be an excuse for fun, I’d like
to introduce you to some fun stress relievers,
so when the phrase, “I’m too stressed
out to think straight.” (or similar phrases)
start to pop into your head and out of your mouth
you will have a fun effective antidote. In past
articles I have talked about relaxation being
the body’s natural antidote to stress, which
is true. However, there are many different ways
to “relax” the body and mind, which
will counteract the effects of stress and boost
your energy.
As
you read the following ideas I would like you
to do three things.
1. Put a star by the ideas that sound like a winner
for you.
2. Think about the things you already use or do
(different from these) to help you create fun
and happiness, and less stress in your life. Jot
them down and add them to this list so you have
a longer, “stress less with fun” list
ready to choose from when your needing a energy
boost.
3. If you are willing to share your ideas, email
them to me and I will share them in a future column
so others can benefit from your ideas too. raplourde@ruthanneinnergizes.com
|
Six tips for putting fun into your life and letting
go of stress:
•
Use the Magic of Music
Music can relax us or energize us. It can make us
laugh or cry. It can motivate us or put us on the
edge of our seat with anticipation. I just saw the
movie “The Italian Job” this weekend.
Right from the onset of the first chase scene (a
boat chase) the music helped to rev up the suspense
of the chase just as the motors revved up to increase
their speed. Think of music from different movies.
The inspirational and motivational music of “Rocky”
and “Superman” as opposed to the emotional
music of “Titanic.” Music can “take
you away” when you can’t get away. Organize
your music collection into “feeling” categories
or sections. Music that relaxes you, inspires you,
energizes you, etc. That way when you want music
to energize you, all the energizing music will be
all together and you can choose easily without taking
time to search through your entire collection.
•
Discover the Power of Play
Children need to play and so do adults. “All
work and no play” leads to chronic stress with
no relief. Find something that feels like “play”
for you. Play golf, play tennis, play a sport, but
only if in fact, it is play for you and not competition
with yourself or someone else. Go out and enjoy
whatever it is you like to do. In the summer bike,
rollerblade or swim. In the winter ski, slide, or
build a snowman. Play games with your children,
other peoples children or grandchildren. Go play
at a park. Play on the playground equipment, swing,
play catch, run, jump, roll in the grass. Just go
out and have just plain health fun. Do something
that makes you laugh and smile.
•
Nurture Yourself with Nature
Being out in nature is one of the most enjoyable
and energizing things I can do for myself. Being
by water is one of my favorite places. A lake can
calm me and the ocean energizes me. A stream or
a brook sooths my soul. I love hiking in the mountains
or a Northshore trail. Even just a walk to the park
near my house on a beautiful, blue sky day is rejuvenating
for me. Connect with nature as often as you can
and connect in a way that is fun and enjoyable to
you. A spur of the moment “romp with nature”
can be energizing and centering.
•
Lighten Your Load with Laughter
Studies show that laughter stimulates the immune
system and offsets stress. Laughter release endorphins
– the “feel good” chemical. The “runner’s
high” is created by the release of endorphins.
Well you don’t have to run a half marathon
to get that feeling of bliss -- all you have to
do is laugh. Laughter increases feelings of control,
encourages an optimistic outlook and relieves stress.
Look for ways to add humor into your life. Read
joke books, watch funny films and comedians. Browse
through the humor section of book stores and libraries.
Look for the funny side. A stressful situation can
sometimes be turned into a bit of fun if you can
see the funny side to it. (Especially, if you know
you will be able to laugh about it a week or two
later, why wait? Laugh about it now. It will help
relieve the tension on the spot.) Hang out with
funny/happy people. J
•
Help Yourself by Helping Others
There is a simple law of the universe that says,
“what you give, you will receive” and
“if you do good things for others, good things
will happen to you.” Helping others does not
require a huge time commitment. It can range from
planned volunteer work for an organization to spontaneous
acts of kindness. A few hands-on ideas: tutor kids,
read to the blind, visit the elderly, be a big brother
or big sister. Be on the look out for ways to do
spontaneous acts of kindness as often as you can.
• Make Conscious Connections with Others
Often we feel our world gets so hectic that we stop
doing the very things that help us relieve that
feeling. One of the things I am guilty of is that
I don’t take time to connect with my network
of friends. And yet I know when I do, I feel better
mentally and emotionally. I have to remind myself
that no matter how much work is left on my desk
or items on my to-do lists I will feel better if
I reach out and connect with new people and old
friends. When we connect we energize ourselves and
others. So call a friend you haven’t spoken
to in a while, invite a few neighbors over for a
get-together or ask a co-worker to join you for
lunch. Think of ways you can create your own connections.
I
know if I do any of the above I feel better mentally,
emotionally and physically. Hopefully they will
be helpful for you as well. They have the ability
to brighten your mood and improve your sense of
well-being. They can reduce anxiety, tension and
stress. But most of all using the “stress excuse”
as a way to have fun, can put joy and happiness
into your life and can create balance and harmony
in your life -- the end result being health, happiness
and less stress.
|
