(no subject)

[serene]

ailbhe had one useful suggestion for lowering my stress levels -- a return to meditative breathing exercises. Some other things I've thought of are:

- reducing my number of social commitments
- learning ways not to let my boss's stress get to me
- organizing my workspace so it's not so cluttered
- making sure I get my walks every day
- being quicker to ask for help with housework, before it gets out of hand
- have good food in the house

Any other suggestions? I don't promise to use them, but I'm interested in seeing them.

Thanks!

Comments

[inflectionpoint.livejournal.com]

If they treat your body well, Sun Salutations. I don't know what your body does or doesn't like to do, but I find the combination of breathing and moving to work really really well for me.

Getting outside at least once a day. I don't know how it is to work at home, but in the office, I -always- go outside for lunch, to be away from the work place. Since I started doing that, I feel much much better. I also take a break and walk outside for a few minutes, stretch, and soak up a bit of sun just about every day.

Stretching. I do neck and head and shoulder and wrist and elbow work while at my desk, and find them of some help.

Making a cup of tea or something Nice To Drink?

Cutting stressful people and encounters with them to a lower portion of my life. I had a male partner who was not a good fit and who caused me a lot of difficulties. We weren't able to resolve it, and I realized that the relationship was sucking me dry, and I left. It's been a few years now, and my gods, the difference is delightful. You might not need to do this, I hope! But, it can also be applied to other relationships or activities.

More down time. Personally, I don't work well unless I get down and alone time, to spend alone. YMMV.

Keeping good food around.

Enjoying time with four-footed friends. I love my Kitton and other Kittons, and I like being around most dogs. Again, YMMV.

Best of luck with it, I hope you can find good answers for you.

[jb98.livejournal.com]

My suggestion is to drink lots of water. Stress does weird things to your body and water flushes out the toxins.

That and have lots more sex.

*hugz*

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Oh, gosh, how could I forget? The doc also told me I need to drink more water, because my fluid levels are low. :-)

[tiger-spot.livejournal.com]

Do you sing? That usually helps me feel better, but I don't generally think to do it when I'm stressed.

You've got a good list going.

[loracs.livejournal.com]

Here's a few more.

Swimming? The weather's getting better and you're so close to the Temescal pool.
Naps as needed.
Take a class in something you've always wanted to try. Yoga, tai chi, a dance or art class? Of course, if having to be some place on a certain schedule would add to your stress, then this might not be a good idea. 8-)

Getting more sleep - oh wait, that one is for me. I have to be up in 4 hours and I have an all day class tomorrow. POWER WRITING! I told my boss that after tomorrow, she'd better start wearing a helmet when opening my emails.

[epi-lj.livejournal.com]

Honestly, the thing that works best for me is exercise. A lot of other things help, but that has the single largest impact on stress levels for me: regular moderate exercise. I don't know if that works for you or not.

[berkeleyfarm.livejournal.com]

regular exercise (walking is excellent as it gets you out of the house, as is yoga and the like)
try to eat right
drink your water, take your vitamins
as much pampering as you can manage (massages and the like)
ditto on the sex

I find cooking to be therapeutic when I'm not feeling overly obligated to do so - that or gardening is a nice meditative activity.

I find service projects a good way to help relieve things if I'm not feeling way too overscheduled - it gets me out of myself.

[snippy]

Loving and positive self-talk helps a lot, for me. I am my own cheerleader!