Stress: A Threat to Your Health

This is an article called "7 Simple Stress-Busters" by Zach Van Hart, for SparkPeople.com

Stress happens. No matter how organized you are, how good your systems are, or how friendly your work and living environments are, stress can find a way to poke its ugly head in from time to time.

What can you do? Turn to a convenient Stress Buster - a small, simple activity that clears your head and calms you down. When you feel a stress attack coming on, it's the perfect time to turn to one of these busters and kick that stress out the door.

Here are 7 of our favorite Stress Busters, but feel free to develop your own:

1. Take a walk

Want a break from the office? Does your house feel like an insane asylum? Slip out the door and let your feet take you somewhere. Not only will walking give you the opportunity to clear your head and take a break from that hectic situation, but it's great aerobic exercise, too.

2. Call a friend

We all have someone whose voice alone perks us up. Give them a buzz, even for a few minutes. Whether with a joke or a funny story, or just by listening, they will likely put a smile on your face and calm you down. Besides, what are friends for?

3. Write in a journal

Expressing our feelings could be the best way to deal with stress. Keeping a journal is a way to capture those feelings at any moment. You don't have to worry about what others think or say, just let your pen do the work. By the time you're done, those feelings will be on their way out of your system.

4. Play a board game

Remember these? Maybe there are a dozen stashed in your closet, waiting to be dusted off. Monopoly probably should be saved until you have a few hours to spare, but quick kids' games like Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Connect Four, or even Twister are always good for a smile.

5. Work up a sweat

Have some pent up frustrations? There's no better way to get rid of them than by exercising. Pop in a workout tape, hop on your bike or grab your jump rope. You'll be too busy working up a sweat to worry about what's stressing you out. Picture the stress leaving your body through your pores.

6. Plan something fun

Is there a trip you want to take but never had time to get it together? Or a dinner you've always wanted to make? Now's the time. Not only will you take your mind off things, but you'll be spending time eagerly anticipating a great getaway or meal later. It's a win-win situation.

7. Take a hot bath

A hot bath will initially give your body a kick, which in turn will give your mind a kick too - and then it'll slow both down. Add bubbles and a few candles and you have the ultimate soothing atmosphere. A rubber ducky is optional.

MyAchingKnees stress busters:  Get lost in a good book,.... play and hang out with animals - they are uniquely honest and are always glad for human attention.  Don't believe me?  Lock your spouse and the dog in a closet for six hours,....when you open it see which one is glad to see you.  Note:  You can tell from the wagging tail.


MyAchingKnees comment:  I think too many of us underestimate he effects that stress can have on us,...from relationships, work issues, financial and healt problems.  Years ago, I had a work stress issue that affect my ability to sleep soundly and also manifested itself in itching hands of all things.  I got a handle on it by realizing what I could control or change and what I could not and also focused on the important things in life,....my family and my health. 



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