Stressbusters!

Many things cause us to be tense. Work deadlines, family schedules, social obligations, relationships, and many more. This leaves us with little time for ourselves to relax and unwind. Some of us are lucky enough to have a hobby that helps you relax, now if you do not have a hobby, you may need some help to relax. Some of us take pain relievers, sleep, or eat our tension away, and there are other things we do. to help us relieve tension.

If you had noticed, those things are rather unhealthy. I have compiled a list of healthier things that I have done to relieve my stress throughout my lifetime.

1. Take a walk. The invigorating fresh air leaves you feeling refreshed and recharged. Any stress and tension you feel seems to be released.

2. Looking at nature - either on a walk or while sitting outside. Doing this gives you a chance to slow down and appreciate every little thing around you. Looking at the world outside of yourself, gives you a completely new slant on things. When you are concentrating on joyful things, you cannot help but relax.

3. Take a bath. I mean a long, soaking bath. Sit and soak while you read a magazine. Listen to your favorite tunes, have a glass of wine, in short, pamper yourself. (For myself, I keep a shoebox with chocolates, a CD, and a book in it.) When your toes start to prune up, it is time to get out of the bathtub!

4. Go to the gym. Do some squats, lift weights, do some kind of exercise to get the endorphins in your body moving. They help the blood to flow and your body to relax.

5. Volunteer. By volunteering, you are getting your mind off whatever it is that is making you tense. Helping others with their needs will make you appreciative of what you have in your life, and cause you to realize that what you are stressing about is very insignificant in comparison. There are numerous volunteer opportunities available to you. Call hospitals, homeless shelters, food shelves, The United Way, to name a few.

6. Clean. Put some tunes on, sing along, do some dancing, and get some cleaning accomplished. There will be no time to be tense.

7. Get a massage. Your body will be very relaxed and, in the process, free of any sore muscles.

8. Performance therapies (music therapy & art therapy) are a great way to release pent-up energies and tension. Take up an instrument, listen to music, sing, or take up art.

This is just the tip of the iceberg but I hope this list will get you thinking about what it is that helps you to relax.