De-stressing/Re-Focusing
May 7, 2008 1:07 PM Subscribe
Help me de-stress and refocus my moods.
How do yall refocus after being extremely stressed for short bursts on end? Any activities, tips, thought patterns you think, stretching exercises, exercises in general??
I try to take deep breaths with some self talk and/or exercise, but it seems to work only about half the time.
I'm also a huge tea drinker as well, but that works sparingly sometimes.
How do yall refocus after being extremely stressed for short bursts on end? Any activities, tips, thought patterns you think, stretching exercises, exercises in general??
I try to take deep breaths with some self talk and/or exercise, but it seems to work only about half the time.
I'm also a huge tea drinker as well, but that works sparingly sometimes.
We just got a wii at work. I'm stunned with how useful it is. The sports games that come with it take three-to-ten minutes to play. Employees (including me) take de-stress breaks by boxing or bowling for a few minutes. It involves mind and body. And ten minutes later, you're back to work -- energized.
posted by grumblebee at 1:32 PM on May 7, 2008
posted by grumblebee at 1:32 PM on May 7, 2008
If the tea is caffeinated, you might try switching to decaf or herbal tea.
In terms of practices, I've found meditation and tai chi / chi gung both to be calming, and to have a measurable effect on lowering my blood pressure over a short time. Plain old deep breathing is like meditation but without a focus, so if you find some calming image or idea to focus on when doing your slow deep breaths, it might be more effective.
I also have been a lifelong rabid reader and for me sitting down even for as little as 15 minutes with a pleasurable book can be as effective as meditation or deep breathing.
posted by aught at 1:47 PM on May 7, 2008
In terms of practices, I've found meditation and tai chi / chi gung both to be calming, and to have a measurable effect on lowering my blood pressure over a short time. Plain old deep breathing is like meditation but without a focus, so if you find some calming image or idea to focus on when doing your slow deep breaths, it might be more effective.
I also have been a lifelong rabid reader and for me sitting down even for as little as 15 minutes with a pleasurable book can be as effective as meditation or deep breathing.
posted by aught at 1:47 PM on May 7, 2008
Lately I've taken to jewellery making and I've found the whole process of selecting beads, making up a design and then stringing the beads/wire wrapping them to be very relaxing and therapeutic. Maybe something similar that doesn't require a ton of mental activity would be destressing for you too.
posted by peacheater at 2:15 PM on May 7, 2008
posted by peacheater at 2:15 PM on May 7, 2008
i hear knitting/crocheting is very relaxing. i personally like to cook--chopping veggies is a great de-stresser. yoga's nice, too.
taking a walk seems to help. you need to do it for at least 15 minutes, though, and 30 is better.
if you are really hopped up and tense, a hot shower/bath and a valerian tablet will help (don't take the recommended dosage, as that will put you to sleep).
posted by thinkingwoman at 2:38 PM on May 7, 2008
taking a walk seems to help. you need to do it for at least 15 minutes, though, and 30 is better.
if you are really hopped up and tense, a hot shower/bath and a valerian tablet will help (don't take the recommended dosage, as that will put you to sleep).
posted by thinkingwoman at 2:38 PM on May 7, 2008
I knit. It requires very little concentration (once you get into the pattern), though enough to keep your mind minimally engaged. And in the end - voila, another scarf, set of mittens, hat... Living in Montreal, this is both a fantastic way to de-stress as well as keep constantly bundled up. If I ever move to Hawaii, I'd probably have to come up with something else. But who could get stressed in Hawaii?
posted by Herman Hermanson at 2:45 PM on May 7, 2008
posted by Herman Hermanson at 2:45 PM on May 7, 2008
I put on loud and happy Bollywood music and jump insanely along on a mini-trampoline. It's a crazy-happy cure for whatever ails you.
posted by PatoPata at 4:31 PM on May 7, 2008
posted by PatoPata at 4:31 PM on May 7, 2008
I've been more stressed than usual lately, and it causes in me a great urge to knit. And then I go back to studying :(
I'd suggest crochet as well, because only one needly thing! Bonus!
posted by MadamM at 4:48 PM on May 7, 2008
I'd suggest crochet as well, because only one needly thing! Bonus!
posted by MadamM at 4:48 PM on May 7, 2008
After my first semester of law school I decided to de-stress by knitting a pullover sweater vest. A couple of years ago I came across it in the back of the closet and realized it was knit so incredibly tightly that the fabric was actually stiff. I thought that was hilarious. Maybe knitting is only good for people with moderate stress and not those whose heads are about to go spinning off into outer space.
Here's what I do now that I've regained some of my sanity:
Take my dog for a really fast, long walk
Jump on the elliptical and pedal really, really fast when stressful thoughts enter my head
Have a long soak in a hot bath, put on a clean pair of jammies, and get in bed with a hot toddy and a good novel
Bake a homey cake, like a Bundt cake--nothing too fancy
posted by HotToddy at 7:16 PM on May 7, 2008
Here's what I do now that I've regained some of my sanity:
Take my dog for a really fast, long walk
Jump on the elliptical and pedal really, really fast when stressful thoughts enter my head
Have a long soak in a hot bath, put on a clean pair of jammies, and get in bed with a hot toddy and a good novel
Bake a homey cake, like a Bundt cake--nothing too fancy
posted by HotToddy at 7:16 PM on May 7, 2008
I lift weights for at least 45 minutes after work each day. I do this without talking to anyone and try to put all thoughts of work out of my mind. I leave the gym much more relaxed.
posted by charlesv at 8:10 PM on May 7, 2008
posted by charlesv at 8:10 PM on May 7, 2008
I run. If I'm really pissed, I run fast.
2ndng the 'Whoa on the caffeine"
posted by eclectist at 12:18 AM on May 8, 2008
2ndng the 'Whoa on the caffeine"
posted by eclectist at 12:18 AM on May 8, 2008
Find something that makes you laugh. Do it. Repeat.
posted by hulahulagirl at 12:57 PM on May 9, 2008
posted by hulahulagirl at 12:57 PM on May 9, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by meeshell at 1:22 PM on May 7, 2008