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 This website is new (begun well into 2009), and I have JUST started putting up sections of Living A Stress Free Life, one chapter at a time, making appropriate changes as I go along. As a matter of fact, I only have placed the Intro Chapter on the site so far. We will change this right now.
In the book, I point out that there are 3 "doorways" into Stress World: Physical, Emotional and Psychological (or body, feelings, mind). Anytime you have a stressor come into your life, all three are involved — must be involved. It is unavoidable. All three facets of stress are always activated together. Usually only one is apparent to the person undergoing stress. This helps to explain why "stress-related illnesses" creep up on you. It also begs you to really know about stress, to learn about it, to understand it. It is not your friendly friend. It is more like the vicious neighbor next door putting a sign up in his window so you see it every day: "I am still here and I will get you someday!" It is a friend in that sense, as it reminds you to take precautions and protect yourself. Not a friendly friend, but a friend — someone who helps you — nonetheless.
So, I know: I know everyone wants a quick fix, etc., but it is imperative people understand the magnitude of what they are dealing with and have all the knowledge they can get on this "thing" that basically runs our lives. So, I ask you to visit the site now and then and read the newest chapter(s) posted. Get on the mailing list and I will notify you when new chapter (article) has posted. We will learn about stress in small doses so you get a food foundation. After all, we are talking about changing your life for the better. This is not a small project, your life, right?
Meanwhile, I will jump ahead and take the Quick Fix List from the book's Appendix. It will hold you while you are learning.
101 Stress Relievers
Things You Can Do or Start Today to Relieve, Eliminate, or Better Manage Stress in Your Life
from the book Living A Stress Free Life
by Doctor Zest
(a.k.a. Anthony Dallmann-Jones, PhD)
- Build select periods of refuge into your schedule. (It's called a 'vacation' — remember?)
- Learn how to take breaks during the day.
- Live within your budget — pay your bills.
- Anything that you can control in your lifestyle, do so. (disorganization = maximum stressors!)
- Keep your number of role responsibilities in line. ("No!" is the word, if you have forgotten.)
- Be ready to streamline your schedule.
- If possible avoid people who stress you.
- Plan — avoid overextending yourself.
- Learn to compromise: Cooperation = Growth but Competition = Stress
- Accept what you cannot change (including other people).
- Frequently ask yourself, "How do I feel?" and listen to the answer!
- Nurture relationships worth developing (Fertilize your friendships!)
- Try a new perspective, i.e., flexibility.
- Ask for feedback from a reliable source.
- Always be prepared to wait.
- Leave time for delays in traveling and appointments.
- Develop TO-DO lists that are accomplishable — only write down what you will complete in one day!
- Explore your spirituality in some way.
- Breathe consciously and connectedly for 5 minutes or more.
- Do something creative.
- Go to an aquarium.
- Start an aquarium.
- Write a poem about your feelings.
- Forgive someone you thought you never would.
- Make peace with your parents (whether alive or dead).
- Make peace with your children.
- Relax, learn to relax, practice relaxing, relax about not relaxing.
- Do yoga.
- Get massaged.
- Get Rolfed.
- See a chiropractor.
- Practice a martial art.
- Practice a marital art.
- Run, jog, walk — Move!
- Go swimming.
- Improve your diet.
- Improve your wardrobe.
- Improve your image and self-image.
- Learn to love your job/work/career.
- Improve your relationship with your boss.
- Spend money.
- Save money — start a new account.
- Earn money.
- Give away money.
- Keep a journal of your feelings.
- Enjoy your successes. (Roll around in 'em like a hound dog!).
- Learn from, and let go of, your failures.
- Read books.
- Sit in a sauna.
- Sit in a whirlpool.
- Shower with a friend.
- Sun bathe.
- Sit in total silence while staying alert.
- Go on a hike, explore.
- Go camping.
- Tell the whole truth as fast as possible.
- Communicate better and more often with your loved ones.
- Write yourself a letter.
- Make some positive long-range goals.
- Visualize success.
- Do guided imagery of peaceful scenes.
- Take a weekend trip.
- Meditate.
- See a movie.
- Do some stretching exercises.
- Learn to do affirmations.
- Learn and apply self-hypnosis.
- Make peace with your childhood.
- Resolve destructive dualisms. (Either-Ors)
- Get the right amount of sleep.
- Make peace with money.
- Invent something.
- Learn to delegate.
- Listen to easy music with headphones.
- Get in touch with your body.
- Make peace with death.
- Make peace with God.
- Make a retreat.
- Try to enjoy everything for five minutes at a time.
- Contact a long, lost friend.
- Play with a pet.
- Remember that a clock is a tool, not an enemy.
- Learn Vivation (see Jim Leonard in Bibliography.)
- Clean up and get organized.
- Treat yourself to maid service.
- Go out to a good restaurant.
- Go to the beach, the mountains, the lake.
- Uncover your healthy self-esteem.
- Skip a meal.
- Go on a fast.
- Eat your dessert first.
- Resurrect an old hobby.
- Buy yourself a present.
- Smile.
- Tell a joke.
- Travel.
- Go to bed two hours earlier than usual once a week.
- Take a wellness day off.
- Eat a bowl of cereal; hold the spoon with your fist.
- Pray.
Notice that "Read the list" is not one of the 101. You must DO something. Pick one from the 101; get going.
Breathe, enjoy life. If your playmates are negative and/or are stress producers — get some new playmates.
Til next time...
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