Stress is all around us.
Lurking in the shadows.
It hangs out at you surprise meeting at work.
It flattens your tire during a rain storm.
It sends you an unexpected bill during your vacation.
It even has the audacity to break your air conditioning unit in the dead of summer.
It’s time to fight back.
If we start to feel defeated and let our emotions get the best of us…. HE WINS!
Not on my watch.
11 Simple Ways To Beat Stress At His Own Game
Medicate yourself with laughter. The quickest way to do this is to watch a comedy movie. It’s impossible to stay glum when Dumb & Dumber’s playing in front of you!
This is a tactic my muse (the gorgeous Cece in the picture) and I used when we were pre-comeback a few years ago. We made it a point to ONLY watch comedy movies or sitcoms for about 3 months straight.
It may seem simple but think about how you actually feel at the end of watching a show filled with blood and murder like a CSI type show.
Do you think it relaxes you or enhances your already stressful day?
Cheat on your diet. Go ahead and have a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice-cream.
In moderation of course. If you have been good all week and you know without a doubt it will make you feel gooooooood, then go for it. Just don’t make it a habit. Then you will have a whole new kind of stress.
Get a Cat Massage
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Chill like the Graceful Otter
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Do something you love: knitting, painting, baking. Research shows that simple, feel-good hobbies envelope you in overall serenity and reduce blood pressure. They can be as relaxing as yoga!
This one is my favorite. You should be spending some time each and every day doing something you love. Something for you. You deserve it.
At the end of the day you need to take care of you. There is nothing more I can say about that.
If you are not nurturing your innermost desires on a daily basis you just might find you do not have the enthusiasm for life you once had.
Life this life. It’s the only one you have.
Read the full story at care2.com
30 Comments
Mike
September 16, 2012 at 12:04 am -I’m all for doing something you love. Life is short! I free myself to do things I love by doing for my wife first:)
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 10:06 am -If something you love is bringing joy to someone else…. you have the key to lifetime happiness my friend. You will never run out of lives to enrich. Love it!
Ani
September 16, 2012 at 2:32 am -It is always nice to take a break and fight stress back 🙂
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 10:54 pm -I say give stress an open hand slap in the mouth! Stress is only stress if you let it become stress.
Priska
September 16, 2012 at 2:33 am -Loved the animal clips. I got my comedy fix and warm fuzzy feelings within two minutes, I’ve to chilled out and had my daily massage through my love of animal antics.
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 10:55 pm -Glad you could get your warm fix and massage for the day. Come back often for more
Amit Amin
September 16, 2012 at 9:28 am -“Medicate yourself with laughter. The quickest way to do this is to watch a comedy movie. It’s impossible to stay glum when Dumb & Dumber’s playing in front of you!”
No!! The quickest way to do this is to just laugh. It’s a myth that we need a reason to laugh!
http://happierhuman.com/laughter/
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 10:56 pm -I agree Amit! You do not need a reason. It’s like the saying “I do not sing because I am happy. I am happy because I sing”
Marilyn Price-Mitchell PhD
September 17, 2012 at 12:07 am -Loved the cat video! I have to admit that animals are such a stress-reducer. When I’m stressed-out, I immediately go pet the dog or take her for a walk!
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 10:59 pm -It is even easier to reduce stress for pet lovers like you and I Marilyn. The simple act of just petting your animal has been proven to lower stress levels and release serotonin.
I also like to fill my iGoogle homepage with cute or funny animal videos or pictures so that when I open my browser it is the first thing that I see. Immediately sets the tone for my browsing experience
Ciara Conlon
September 17, 2012 at 7:34 am -Lovely quick uplifting post James, I love the otter!
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 11:00 pm -Thank you Ciara. Glad you enjoyed it
Bobbi Emel
September 17, 2012 at 12:56 pm -The otter and cat videos were cute, James!
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 11:01 pm -Thank you. They were specifically crafted for only the best stress reducers I could find. You cant have a bad day and float on your back in the river carefree. Impossible
Kaylee
September 17, 2012 at 5:06 pm -I totally just walked next door and got a chocolate sprinkle donut before I read this. Haven’t done that in months, and you were right, it made me feel sooo good.. Not that I advocate drugging yourself with food, but every once in a while is okay. 😉 Actually, because it had been so long, I enjoyed it so much more.
Cool tips, James. =)
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 11:02 pm -I bet you totally deserved that donut! I have not had an apple fritter in months! I am so due! Time to take my own advice. =-)
Lee J Tyler
September 20, 2012 at 7:32 pm -Animals are the best stress reliever. And they do put things in perspective; just like kids do. I agree with you that if you allow negative in then it has a subconscious affect on your life so love what you and “Miss Lovely” 😉 did. Great idea. And great article. I already feel more relaxed. 😉
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 11:03 pm -Your welcome! “Miss Lovely” is the single greatest reason for my existence!
Jane Robinson - Art Epicurean
September 21, 2012 at 6:11 pm -Great ideas. I too loved the cat video. Although I feel little stress in my life lately, when I was getting stressed I stopped watching the news for a week or two. I still learned of any BIG world news somehow but didn’t miss the doom, gloom and horrific crimes.
P. James Holland
September 30, 2012 at 8:49 pm -That is EXACTLY one of the main principals of CPR for your life. That is clearing out the energy drains or what I like to call – Turning on your BU.SH Blocker
Sarah | Holistic Hot Sauce
September 21, 2012 at 10:40 pm -Sweet! Thanks for the fun videos! Nice reminder about the value of just chilling out for a change!
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 11:05 pm -Sometimes it is easier said than done. That is the reason for the videos – there is no action needed on your part. Just watch and relax. I love passive relaxation techniques
Liz
September 22, 2012 at 11:07 am -I’m so taking a leaf out of the book of the otter! Super cute! It’s like a lazy river but better.
P. James Holland
September 23, 2012 at 11:06 pm -Make sure you remember to post your own video of you relaxing too! =-)
Kim Watkinson
October 2, 2012 at 2:39 am -Love the kitty cat video. And permission to eat chocolate chip cookie dough!
P. James Holland
October 25, 2012 at 11:49 am -Save me some please Ninja Baker…. well … only if you made it personally =-)
Patricia Anderson
October 25, 2012 at 11:29 am -Great tips here and videos too. One of the best ways to break the stress cycle.is physical exercise. Exercise pumps up your endorphins (feel-good hormones) and decreases your stress hormones. It also reduces chronic muscle tension, helps you sleep better, and decreases anxiety.
P. James Holland
October 25, 2012 at 11:52 am -Yes you are correct Patricia. Daily exercise is probably one of the single most important habits one should create. More important than hard work. More important than a “good” job.
What are some of your exercise practices Patricia?
Patricia Anderson
October 26, 2012 at 11:29 pm -Hi P. James,
I love to dance, it is not just a good exercise but it is also fun!
P. James Holland
October 27, 2012 at 11:22 am -ONE OF OUR FAVORITES!!!! =-) I knew I liked you for a reason. Excellent choice!
I always feel like a hamster in the wheel when I am on a treadmill! lol But dancing, now that we can do for hours on end.