Stress relief: A sniff away?

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Quick note: For those of you who may not already be aware STEVE is launching his challenge today. Get thee to his blog and get thy arse in goal-achieving gear.

MizFit, I know you are a fan of yoga and meditating but sometimes I need in the moment stress relief? any tips for fast relief (like before a meeting with my boss 🙂 nothing life or death but stressful anyway)?  Thanks.

I picked this email because I can entirely relate.

While I love to do yoga and have come to adore my morning meditation minutes and alliteration some days life is just too jam-packed for me to make time for either.

Yes that rings close to an excuse—but some days it’s merely the way it is.

As a result Ive found a few ways which work for me to de-stress in an instant.

My go-to’s for those moments when the Tornado has me frazzled, work deadlines loom and, inevitably, 8000 other things are shouting for my attention as well.

  • I Dr. Phil myself.

Back in the day, before he had his own show, I actually liked the Phil.

One of my favorite things was when he’d ask people in crisis/at a crossroads: What’s the worst that could happen?

99% of the time this “worst” really wasnt even all that bad & the realization of this allowed the individual to move forward/get ‘unstuck’  in a much more calm and zen fashion.

The majority of the time my asking what’s the worst that could happen allows me to realize what *feels* highly stressful in that moment really isnt so in the scope of life.

  • I tartlet the situation.

Anyone else remember when Jon Lovitz was a guest on the show Friends?

Yada yada yada J.L. ended up high, in Monica’s kitchen & yammering about tartlets.

The more he said the word the more hilarious it sounded to him ( Tartlets? Tartlets? Tartlets? The word has lost all meaning.).

Many times that’s precisely what I need to allow myself see how unfounded my stress really is.  Please to try it with the word fork. Repetition can make most anything seem, well, silly.

  • I take control of how I interpret my body’s signals.

It was a life changing experience for me when I realized the body interprets the feeling of stress and the feeling of excitement in practically the same manner.

In both instances our bodies become tense & all of our senses grow increasingly aroused.

When we view a situation as stressful we identify the bodily feeling as “bad.” When we are in an exciting situation we define these same sensations as exciting or thrilling!  (think about it. pretty cool huh?)

As a result, whenever possible I try to change my INTERPRETATION of the messages my body is sending.  I instead try and view the sensations as STRESSCITEMENT if nothing else.

  • I sniff my way stress-free.

This is something Ive recently started doing and it’s nothing if not PERFECT for stress-reduction on the go.

Lavender, jasmine, vanilla and chamomile are examples of four scents (ones Ive tried) which  are purported to have calming effects on the sniffer.  Everything from lowering blood pressure to easing anxiety. (There’s a full listing here)

A few years ago I would have entirely mocked this approach. Now, with my busy life & hectic schedule, Im a firm believer in the power of taking a moment to stop, sniff and visualize/inhale my way to calm.

Finding my tips a smidgetad lame I also took a moment to hit up Twitter & see what other ideas people had for stress reduction on the go.


img_0370_normal@brandapolk Deep, focused breathing as I pray.

default_profile_normal@beginning2tri Deep, deep breaths. And I put the problem in perspective…is the world going to end if this doesn’t work out? Nope.

photo_on_2009-09-04_at_2349__2_normal@amerrylife Usually a quick walk. Or I pace. It relaxes me, haha.

fbg_final_logo_normal@fitbottomgirl I remind myself I’m in control of how I feel.

cacaksimpsoncollage_heather_normal@thewwchick When I need to destress, that means it’s time to do something for me instead of for everyone else. Alone time is good.

coconut_normal@balancesusan A good laugh will decrease my stress level in an instant!

bigstockphoto_half_face_of_woman_2335477_normal@goodskinla Music. It affects the nervous system and generates emotional responses!

twitterprofilephoto_normal@dbwrite4u Controlled breathing & concentrating on my heart rate works 4 me. Also fresh air. Close my eyes & picture someone/thing I love.

me_cropped_normal @cashmereclutch I recall a wonderful moment in my past.

09_0811_all_sorts_of_stuff_016_normal@gazellesoncrack gin.

So, there you have it.

Everything from tartletting, to music, to laughter.

Now it’s your turn.

Have a better idea for vanquishing our emailer’s stress?

Tips on the best music gin or scents to select in our quest for less stress?

please to hit us all up in the comments.

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Comments

  2. You make an excellent point and I am so glad that you bring it up.

    Finding time for for things that you enjoy, whether they are large or small, is crucial to maintaining a balanced life in an otherwise unbalanced world. I am a strong believer that a happy personal life will lead to a happy professional life!

  3. Seagers gin… er, um, I mean Bob Seger?

    I don’t know what I do. Sometimes I go through all the possible scenarios and workout how they could turn out so I don’t feel unprepared for what I’m stressed about. It doesn’t actually work, though 😀

  4. I always ask myself:

    “Will anyone die from this situation?” or “Will it matter in ten years?

    A camp counsellor told me these two when I was 15 and I have been using them ever since. It can really help put things into perspective. The only things that are worth stressing about are those things that fall into the above categories.

  5. I love the idea of redefining the signals the body is sending.
    Stresscitement is my word of the day.

    (What are those pics? I need to get on twitter don’t I?)

  6. Gin 🙂

    I’m a fan of the basics: deep breathing.

    Did you see you have started a juggling revolution on the internet?? Isn’t that a stress reliever too?

  8. I didn’t respond to that tweet because I am really bad at managing my stress! Thinking about it now though, I usually stop and make a quick list when I’m worried about something and I immediately feel better 🙂

  10. Lavender is nice though if I am no where near lavender, I bring myself to the moment right now and shoot all that crap out of my head like a rocket to the moon. and Breathe.

    If I’m in this very moment, there’s nothing stressful unless the gun’s pointing to my head (and it isn’t).

  11. It sounds strange, but if I am super stressed, I sing. It’s probably the forced breathing that helps. And believe me, I can’t sing very well, so this usually causes my little stressors (seven children) to leave the room. Magically, the stress disappears!

  12. I usually close my eyes, breath deeply, and try to think about absolutely nothing! It usually makes me feel quite a bit better.
    Thanks for the extra tips!

  13. I think I tend to get stuck on the Dr Phil’ing myself one 😉

    Often my stress can feel life ending to me even if it wouldn’t feel that was to another.
    I’ll try tartletting LOL.

  15. peeking in.

    Had to say YES.

    I did see that FatLazyGuy and AMerryLife hath kicked my GLUTES with their juggling videos.

    A new challenge cometh.

    You know, since I’m entirely Juggling dethroned and all.

    Watch for us in Vegas please.

    They’re juggling.
    I’m revealing my new skill.

    Together we are CIRQUE DU KICKASS

  16. Deep breathing. Count to five or six or 10 as you inhale, hold your breath for a count of three, exhale to the same count you inhaled. Do it at least three times.
    Or, deep slow breathing following the breath all the way down to the abdomen. This is good if you need a quick energy lift as well as to calm yourself. Works for me.

  17. I LOVE the Jon Lovitz one!!! 🙂 Me, I do the deep breath thing. Sometimes when I am so stressed, my heart rate speeds up too fast & I can feel it big time. The focusing on deep breaths in & blowing them out for a few minutes seems to help me. I also like your “what is the worst thing that could happen”.

    Great post!

  18. Oh God – I love thespian Lovitz! And the Phil-ster lost me for a while but his latest book about how to handle life’s 7 worst days is bringing me back around.

    Deep breathing helps me occasionally but when all else fails I turn to a SNL skit with Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell – “MORE COWBELL!!”

    Thanks for all the other suggestions.

  19. I used to really love Dr. Phil too! I haven’t seen is show in years but back when he was Oprah (haven’t seen that show in years either…) he was one of my fave guests. I’ll have to give the smelling thing a try!

  20. I am in the gin camp, myself! 🙂

    Actually, deep breathing and visualizing a positive outcome usually works for me.
    And when it doesn’t?
    Gin.
    Sapphire, in case anyone cares.

  21. Deep breathing helps me sometimes, but lately the thing that brings me back to earth when my stress level are skyrocketing is…knitting. There is something oddly satisfying and soothing about it.

  24. Ooooh, great tips! Since mine is up there I don’t have much to add!

    But hurray for the juggling greatness that is CIRQUE DU KICKASS!!

    hehe. I’m looking forward to see what else you put up to challenge me with.

  25. Aahh…I find the work Spork cracks me up no matter how angry I am.

    To unwind…music. I have some favourite jump around and lipsynch like I’m 12 albums (hello Jagged Little Pill) and some mellower stuff (like Ott). And a cat in the lap doesn’t hurt either.

    I’m crap at meditating…wish I could use it better to relax. I usually end up thinking about how I’m not supposed to be thinking and “wow! I’m actually not thinking about thinking…oh wait…”

    A good workout helps. Nothing like pouring all the GAH into a workout…feels good to get it all out. 🙂

  27. we almost named our bullmastiff SPORK, Geosomin.
    Im with you on that NEVER failing to make me giggle as well.

  28. For me, smelling BK is a big de-stressor. Unfortunately he thinks it’s weird and freaks out when I do it, so I have to be stealthy and go in for a long hug.

    I’m not sure that’ll help answer the question of anyone else.

  30. I do the same thing with changing my interpretation to “stresscitement”.

    My brain also automatically thinks in terms of “well the worst case scenario would be…” It sounds like it’s a rather pessimistic view, to always imagine the worst, but I think it’s optimistic, because it means that things are actually going really well!

    De-stressing is so important.

  33. I just remember that there is an end to everything. If I’m frustrated at work, I remember there is an end to my week, an end to the project, and eventually, an end to my employment at the company. If I’m having a rough workout, I remember that I just need to get through it and eventually I can plop my butt back on the couch. =)

  34. Your list of tips is great! I never really cared for Dr. Phil, but I like his “What’s the worst that can happen?” idea.

    I basically do many of the same things you do to relieve stress. What I fall back on most often are meditation (works best when combined with a good walk), and plenty of positive self-talk all throughout the day.

  36. Lavendar and other scents don’t often work for me. But the taste of sesame oil calms me on a deep deep level. Yeah, since I can’t carry a bottle of oil around with me, when necessary i:

    1. tap right in front my ear. There is a sympathetic nerve there that helps to calm you.

    2. if I can-walking and meditative moving. I work out some of the stress in the motion.

    3. If everything fails and I’m getting out of control: the very rare use of an anti-anxiety drug. But I haven’t needed this is ages.

  38. Sorry about the unrelated question… I go through stages every month or so where I have trouble staying asleep at night and it gets to the point when, while trying to read during the day I actually begin to nod off. Where does one draw the line between genuinely too tired to exercise and mere laziness?

  39. Yo ho ho and a bottle of…lavender essential oil. 😉

    – Call a friend, preferably my BFF in Portland…oh, wait, this was supposed to be *quick* stress relief. I usually get her voicemail, but sometimes just the act of leaving a message is destressing
    – Breathe/meditate
    – Walk to the breakroom and get a cup of tea
    – Walk up and down the stairway next to my cubicle for a couple of minutes
    – Yep, I too use the “what’s the worst case…?” and “will this matter in x years?” items, too.
    – Favorite mantras sometimes help, too. Like “This too shall pass” and “Just do it” and “Mongo only pawn in game of life.”
    – Put on the headphones and listening to Hawaiian music or something rocking or swashbuckling, depending on what I feel would be most helpful at the moment. (That is, do I need to accelerate or decelerate to best make the stress pass?)

  40. Oh Miz, you must not have been raised by my mother,because “what’s the worst that can happen?” is not a good question. She could always come up with THE WORST! Unfortunately, I eat. I am better. It’s like a recovery process. Its taken a long time.

    But now I have a kettlebell! That is hot stuff. You’d get a little too sweaty before a boss meeting, but concentrating on not crashing the bell into your face or a small pet takes your mind off of anything!

  41. I use a form of “what’s the worst that could happen,” where I go through the escalating scenarios until they’re completely ridiculous. Then I laugh and feel disarmed.

  42. I’ll be putting some relaxing sense in my desk drawer and work and in my husband’s car for his drives home!

  44. I’m so glad that I’m the only one that handles stress with alcohol. Although I love that the Bag Lady shares my preference for Sapphire.

    (And Merry! Who said anything about tonic – I eliminate calories by skipping that unnecessary ingredient.)

  45. I like the sniffing one!

    My ex-co-worker, Des, had this really insane giggle that would start me laughing and this way we both felt relieved of some of our tension

  46. My favorite way to de-stress is going on a run and releasing some happy endorphins. Exercise allows me to reflect on my day and detach myself temporarily from all the chaos and stress going on in my life.

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