Here I am. Once again. Not torn into pieces like Kelly, but blogging with a vengeance.
I have discovered that the busier and more task oriented I am, the more strangled my creativity and inspirational newness becomes. So, in search of simplicity I will dedicate this blog to exposing my pursuit of stress relief.
I realize that blog posts are much more entertaining with photos attached, but I must do what I feel I must do, so if you are stressed, this is the perfect time to hit the snooze button! Sit back relax and stop reading this! Instead, close your eyes and smile for five minutes like some gurus suggest. Which brings me to my first "less stress" point.
1.Relaxation Practice
I googled 'Stress Relieving Techniques' and these 2 little words appeared. A relaxation practice is defined as a special time set aside to practice something that relaxes you (duh) such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or even smiling, I guess.... "Experts" say to set aside 10-20 minutes a day for your relaxation practice. And if you would like to achieve even MORE stress relief to amp it up to 30-1 hour. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for breathing deep, but I would think that any stressed out, frazzled person with an hour to spare would most likely try to nap or veg out in front of the TV.
Maybe, I'm wrong. I haven't tried the whole smiling thing yet, but I think I will. I also think that maybe forcing yourself to feel joy is slightly odd because wouldn't that just stress you out even more having to will yourself to engage in an emotion you don't fully feel at the moment? Or maybe you do feel joy because you have time to sit still for 5 minutes and do nothing but smile....I dunno. I'm of course, not the expert.
I will say the progressive muscle relaxation looks promising. Google that.
2.A Good Cry
One website actually says that a good cry is what you need to relieve stress the natural way. Like sweating, it's healthy and effective for ridding your body of stressful "build-ups". But wait, it gets even more interesting! According to this website there are 3 types of tears..
Continuous or basal tears: Keep the eye surface permanently moist and protected and contain water, lipids or fats, proteins, and compounds that protect against infection.
Reflex tears: Contain a similar make-up, and are produced as a reaction to irritants or foreign objects.
Emotional tears: Have a different make-up, and include enkephalin, an endorphin and natural painkiller.
"Emotional tears contain higher concentrations of proteins, manganese, and the hormone prolactin which is produced during stress-induced danger or arousal.''- Dr. Carrie Lane of the University of Texas
Whatdya know? Maybe you learned this in Science class or something, but I never knew.
That said, I do agree completely with the Good Cry method of relieving stress, although I never willfully engage in a full on sob fest. It usually happens at inopportune times and doesn't end in a dreamy, Oscar winning, uplifting moment. I usually have a migraine after and look like I lost against Mark Wahlberg in The Fighter. But it is effective.
3.Relaxing Thoughts
In my research, (listen to me, I sound all brainy) I discovered a list of relaxing thoughts to recite to yourself when you're feeling tension in the brain. Enjoy.
This too shall pass. Don't take it personally. Be yourself. Stop overgeneralizing. There is no right answer. Control yourself, not others.
I could be totally off here, but most of these things sound like statements my Mother would make that would only make me more upset because they don't actually give me a solution. "Thanks, Mom, but I'm still not relaxed and I have to let you go because the dog tipped over my husbands drink and spilled sweet tea on my freshly steam cleaned carpet."
What does "stop overgeneralizing" mean anyway??
4.Exercise
The same website that listed those relaxing thoughts also gave these as stress relievers:
Do exercises that work your leg muscles, as in "Run away!" Use a treadmill. (It works for lab rats.)
Wow.
5.My Theory
Of course, there are pills and books and so much more to help you relax and live your life stress free, and let's not forget the saintly "too blessed to be stressed" mantra! I agree that recognizing blessings makes the stressing seem a whole lot less mind scrambling, but all in all, I think the best way to relax is to do what makes you happy.
I sound like a real guru here, but the answer is not in forcing yourself to smile until it comes naturally, it's in eating half a pizza and m&m's because you can and it makes you happy to let go of all the rules of being an adult for 10 minutes and forget that you have bills to pay and people that look up to you. It's not endorsing being irresponsible, it's rejecting a lifestyle of man made standards of perfection.
Try as hard as possible to stop comparing, quit overreacting, listening to the worlds' idea of success and do what makes you laugh hysterically and you will be fine, within reason though, people...stay saved.
The more of you that chooses to not be affected by negativity and craziness in your life, the more there will be contagious real happiness to go around. Having a plan is superb, trust me, I'm ALL about having a plan, but the plan can wait for 5 minutes of real smiling....or reciting relaxing thoughts to yourself, if that's your thing.
If you have nothing that you crave that makes you genuinely happy, you may borrow some of mine!
Go to the pet store to hold puppies.
Google pictures of adorable babies. Anne Geddes, what?!
Eat candy or cookies. Either will do. While listening to Disney soundtracks...but only if your female..otherwise, wierd.
Paint by Number! Paint your nails and read magazines.
Simple, yes, and they work. I have more that I would prefer to be my own. So, go find some for yourself! Let me know how it goes.
xo
BC
p.s. 
See, less stressed already!
