How to destress quickly
3 things I do quickly to destress as soon as possible.
Stress….it’s clearly everywhere! Sometimes life takes us down these paths to create change in us. Sometimes it is a lesson we must learn, or it’s something we have asked for and this event will take us where we need to go. Then there are times, you are taking the monorail at Disney, your mind and body don’t seem to like the ride. It happens to the best of us, even at Disney.
We won’t always have a way out, we just need to get through the storm. Yes, you can include those office meetings as a storm. We rather be at the beach, and get the information by email.
In those times, I like to use these “quick fixes”, if you will, to get through as best as I possibly can.
1. “Think happy thoughts!”
As used in the great Disney movie “Peter Pan”. Or even the real life grown up version “Hook” with Robin Williams for a real laugh. Positive thinking can have a great impact on both our mind and body. If you can’t focus on your thoughts with eyes open, then close them. May seem weird, but until you master this, you gotta do what you can. Try it out now, close your eyes, think of your favorite place in the whole world. Don’t forget to breathe in and out while you are trying this. Since this is a judgment free zone, you can think of anywhere possible. I used to like thinking of my favorite mall. Just walking while strutting to my favorite itunes music, window shopping and at times splurging at my favorite stores. Happy thoughts can also be your kids, your family, being with your friends, it can be a memory. Anything that can harness your inner peace to relax. Once you have that image, you will notice your shoulders drop. Remember that feeling of relief. Next time you are in a stressful meeting, in a class, anywhere you feel stressed, remember that image, that scene and breathe. Caution, you may end up smiling at the end of this exercise.
2. Breathing
Not like you already normally do. I’m talking about deep breathing. Inhale through nose and exhale through mouth at a slow pace. It seems a bit tedious. But once you get into the flow of doing it, you will realize that instead of hyperventilating (breathing in and out really fast!), you will quickly regulate and start breathing in slowly, exhaling slowly. Try it out as often as you like. Deep breathing is one of the things that gets me through a serious panic attack. It helps slow down the heart rate, stabilize blood pressure, bringing you back slowly to a good place. I had a little trouble in the beginning, I picked up a good yoga dvd to learn to relax. I’m an exercise dvd person, going to a class gave me anxiety, except for ballet and similar forms.
3. Acupressure
This was an awesome discovery. Acupressure is basically applying a certain amount of pressure on specific points for a specific purpose. From what I’ve read, it uses the same points as Acupuncture. Many of us believe in the energy of the body, the flow of the meridians, how our entire body is connected and stimulated in different points. Now, for many this is a very effective alternate medicine, for many it may not be as effective, and shouldn’t be substituted from your doctors treatment. Only you can determine what works best for you on the long run. Always do your own research. A good doctor will clear your doubts and work with you. Assuming you are an invested patient. So, back to acupressure, a few months ago, I was having a few episodes of tremors, sweating, serious panic attack, I just wanted to go straight to the ER. Unfortunately, I don’t have that kinda of money to make such trips unless I am 100% sure I need to go. Thankfully, it was a Sunday morning, at church and there was this girl that did acupressure on me. I was hooked. My symptoms were under control enough for me to go home, eat and rest. After resting, I looked up what this was all about and got myself a book on acupressure from Michael Reed. If you use the points how the book instructs plus breathing, it should calm the symptoms. Remember to always play detective of the root cause. I went to later find out I was simply overmedicated for my condition. And that is a big huge no-no. One point I use often and quick in a moment of stress, like even in the middle of an exam is using my index and thumb and place it on the opposite hand like in the picture below, and deep breath for 1-2 minutes, and repeat on other hand. Yes, the points usually hurt. But, as you pressure it will release, and the pain usually stops, and you will relax.
Happy Relaxing!
