Blogger Puts the 'Top 10 Stress Relievers' to the Test

Last week I came to the realization that I had a stressful life.  No, this is not a revelation for most of us, but it did make me realize that stress can do some negative things to the body. 

I knew all about the muscle pain in my shoulders, the increased need for chocolate, and I admit, I get a little irritable when the stress increases. But then there is that whole other mess of bad things.  The link between stress and heart disease, cancer and mental health disorders really made me think about how I deal with stress. 

So being the internet junky that I am, I raced to the computer and Googled "stress relief". I found a top ten list from the Mayo Clinic at www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-relievers. It has good advice so I thought I would give it a try.  So here is my response to the Mayo Clinic Top Ten Stress Relievers that I tried this past week.

1. Get Active--any form of exercise is found to reduce stress levels.  

Diane:  Get real. If I had time to exercise I wouldn’t be so stressed.  I did get up from the desk and take a walk outside but that made me sweat and yuck, I then went back to work all sweaty.  No that one isn’t working for me.

    2.     Meditate--meditation causes you to focus on the inner self and stop the streaming of stress related thoughts.  

Diane:  Good intentions but I don’t think my on/off switch is working.  I sat at my desk and I focused on one word and said it over and over again.  Next thing I knew I was repeating my to do list.  Nope, that one didn’t work for me either.

    3.    Laughter--laughter is found to slow down your stress response producing a relaxed feeling.

Diane:  Now this one I was excited about.  I love to laugh and make people smile so this stress reliever is right up my alley.    Note to self: don’t try this again at an executive meeting.

   4.    Connect--reach out to family and friends to support you during stressful times. 

Diane:  I like this one since it seems everyone comes to me when they are stressed so there must be something to this.  Word of advice: don’t go to someone that is more stressed than you are, they don’t want to hear it.

    5.    Assert Yourself--learn to say NO.

Diane:  I can say NO?  But if I say no who is going to do it then?  Haven’t these people heard, if you want something done, go to the busiest person and it will get done?   I tried this on my teenage daughter. The result was increased stress, resentment, and I think my daughter is planning revenge.

    6.  Yoga--utilizing a series of poses and positions brings mental and physical conditioning together.

Diane:  Sounds lot like exercise to me.  I gave it a try using my daughter's Wii.  See number 1 and  5.

   7.   Sleep--the body uses sleep to recharge and replenish.  Make sleep a priority.

Diane:  I tried this one by going to bed earlier only to wake up every morning at 5 a.m.  Do you know how much work you can get done when everyone else is either sleeping or not at work yet?  Ok, don’t think it helped my stress but man did I get a lot done at work.

   8.   Journal--writing down thoughts and feelings as a way of release.

Diane:  I went and bought a beautiful journal. It has blue paisley print with colored paper and a matching pen.  I haven’t written a thing in it except my to do list.  I don’t think this is what they had in mind.

   9.  Musical-- listening or playing music has been found to reduce muscle tension and decrease stress hormones.

Diane:  I like this one.  I have muscle tension and women in their 40’s have hormone issues.  I tried turning the radio on at a low level while working.  It was great until I heard the staff in the hallway searching for the hurt animal. Note to self:  don’t sing along with the radio.

   10.   Counsel--if the stressors in life are interfering with your ability to cope then seek professional counsel

Diane:  I did this once.  It was an amazing thing.  I went to an office and someone was being paid to listen to me talk, without interrupting, for one hour.  Gotta love it.

So that was my experience with the Mayo clinic stress relief top 10 list this week.  I think they missed out on some of my favorite stress relievers.  Here is a quick run down of my top five: chocolate, reading trashy novels, surfing internet, shopping and VACATION. I think I will try all five next week.