When you hear the term stress release, what does it make you to think of?
The World Health Organization says that everyone experiences some form stress and one definition of stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by difficult situations. Their report continues to say some stress can be good as it helps us to preform better yet too much stress may cause various health problems. Long term stress can lead to chronic anxiety.
The phrase stress release always made me think of jogging, bike riding, going to the gym to workout or even someone punching their fist through a wall. All of these activities involve some form of physical movement.
The act of moving is important because any physical motion releases the excess amounts of adrenaline in the body caused by stressors. (As a side note, physical movement also moves glucose through the body faster, reducing the steep sugar spikes.)
While assertive physical movement is ideal for stress release, it is not always possible for a person do so. Some examples are feeble senior citizens, people with health concerns or a person at work with limited time and space. Also, a bad environment such as smoke haze or frigid temperatures makes it difficult to be physically active.
Here are 12 suggestions for releasing stress-induced adrenaline when activities such as going to the gym or jogging are not options. These all involve some form of physical movement and are safe for anyone including senior citizens, those with health concerns and any employee at work with limited space:
1. Call a friend and talk out your frustrations
2. Chew on healthy, crunchy foods such as nuts or carrots
3. Do a few Tai Chi routines or wall push ups
4. Do calisthenics or isometric exercises
5. Doodle
6. Journal, moving a pen or pencil back and forth across paper is most therapeutic
7. Massage your hands, arms, legs and/or your feet.
8. Squeeze a stress ball or play-dough
9. Stand up and stretch, and then count backwards
10. Try deep breathing exercises which lowers heart rate and blood pressure
11. Work on a favorite project
12. Scribble on a piece of paper using a wood pencil
I will confess that I have broken more than one pencil while scribbling because of acute stress. The interesting thing is once the adrenaline was dispersed my ‘creative juices’ flowed more freely which resulted in some of my best writing.
While engaging in some physical activity, engage your mind as well. One example is to mentally carry on a heated discussion with the person, or persons, who contributed to your stressful situation. Another example might be to mentally share your anger and frustration with a safe person.
As a final note, all of the experts agree that a healthy lifestyle helps the mind and body cope with the stresses of life much easier, especially getting enough sleep and eating healthy.
Do you have other ideas for good stress release? Email us and share those ideas. I personally respond to each email. info@wellnesswithage.com.
Crystal Linn is a multi-published author and an award-winning poet. When not writing, or teaching workshops, she enjoys reading a good mystery, hiking, and sailing with friends and family. See crystallinn.com.
