Stress. We all have it. We all hate it. Thinking about it causes more stress. What can you do to get rid of it? Well, we all know that the answer is “nothing”. There will always be sources of stress in our lives. What can we do to RELIEVE it momentarily, though, is a better question.
There are all kinds of websites out there that will give you recommendations on how to relieve stress. Sites like 25 ways to relieve stress, 25 MORE ways to relieve stress, and even 99 ways to relieve stress. (That last one would have done me in.) I have taken the time to cull through some of these, increasing MY stress level, so that you don’t have to.
There were some common themes that I saw building as I read through them. The first dealt with time management. Get up early. Get organized. Don’t procrastinate. Getting control of your time will greatly reduce your stress level. I know that one of my most stressful times is getting my wife and 4 daughters to pull together and get out the door on time. If I can get things started early…diaper bag packed, snacks for in the car…and loaded in the car, my mornings can be much more relaxed.
Will Rodgers said, “Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.” And so, the second theme that jumped out at me was to start something new. Learn something new. Plant a garden. Try a new activity.
The third theme was to create a distraction for whatever is stressing you out. Listen to music. Write a journal. Write a story. Doodle! I love that one. I know that when I am just sitting with my 2 and 3 year olds and doodling mindlessly, it is VERY relaxing. Henri Matisse said, “Drawing is putting a line (a)round an idea.”
And so, I guess I can sum it up this way. Organize your time to get done what needs to be done. Get out and do something. After you’re done, take time to reflect on it. It’s in the reflection that I find my most relaxing moments.
