Question:
Would be very interested in hearing your best "stress reliever" ideas.
I thought I was doing better, but the last couple days I have felt very
stressed and it is definitely taking a toll on my flare symptoms.
Answer:
Simple relaxation methods. Deep breathing for a start. Or a good
exercise to do is to lay flat, scrunch up your toes and feet as best as
you can (to tense the feet muscles), and let them go, relax them. Then
do this with your legs. Then with your buttocks. Then your pelvis and
lower back. Then the pectoral area. Then your fingers and hands. Then
your arms. Then your neck. Then scrunch up your whole face, ears if you
can tense them. After that routine your body should feel nice and
relaxed.
You can also practice changing your reactions to things. Most of the
time it's ourselves that causes us the most stress. If someone says
something to you, or a situation occurs which is annoying, it's only
your reaction to it which causes stress. So change your reaction.
Sounds easy, but it takes a lot of practice to do that. Once you can
though, your life does seem to go smoother. If you think about it, why
would you want to cause yourself harm by being annoyed or upset,
stressed? So don't!
Another good idea is putting one dab of lavender oil on your pillowcase
when you go to bed. This aids a restful and relaxing sleep. Just one
dab though on your pillow, or top pillow if you use more than one. If
you sleep with a partner, then put one dab on their pillow too if they
want to. No more than one dab though, as if you put too much on it can
have the opposite effect of causing anxiety.
Bach's Rescue Remedy is also a good one to use at the times where you
feel stress or anxiety coming over you. You can get it as a dropper
which allows you to drop the recommended dose onto your tongue, or as a
spray which you spray onto your tongue.
Also, distraction is a very good idea. When the above suggestions fail
and I can feel myself getting really stressed, I need to do something
that will take my mind off of what caused that, rather than it running
through my head. Put the tv on and make yourself really take interest
in what's on the tv. Or read! Or play a computer game or play with a
deck of cards. Last time I put the tv on, and decided at the same time
to write down my Xmas pressie list lol! It worked. It was after I was
in the supermarket and a guy walked right into me, then started
shouting "You got a f***ing problem kid?!!?" That really made me angry
and I had to hold it all in on the way home and then I noticed I was
thinking about it way too much so did what I just said.
Great suggestions from Musashi, I had read that systematic relaxation
method somewhere else - supposedly the astronauts do that one to relax
and de-stress so they can sleep.
Exercise is usually best for me - I like to run, but whatever you are
able to do. Maybe Tai-Chi?
I used to juggle tennis balls or raquet balls to do something light and
physical after a long study session. Doesn't take much time and you
get a lot of stretching exercise as you chase the balls around and pick
them up! ;)
Oil painting relaxes me. If I run out of paint.....then one of the
following will help......a nice bubble bath, Reading a good book,
watching a good movie, jump roping for 10 minutes then a good shower, a
long hike. Working in the perrenial garden or projects around the
house. Some if not all help to get your mind away from what is
stressing you. Do something that YOU enjoy.
Jin shin do accupressure! I cannot tell you how much this has saved my
sanity when all the other stuff like meditation and aromatherapy don't
work on big stress. Try googling it or check out this link...
http://www.suswellness.com/treatment.htm
This is the woman I go to in Canada. There would be more info on the
web to look up as well.
