Managing Stress - Counselling by Kamo's Counsel Cellar

MANAGING STRESS - easier said than done would be the most common reaction to this. But we have to manage it as there is no other choice!! Stress will destroy us if not managed appropriately. I have self devised ways to overcome this mammoth killer. I will share these and hope they can help the readers fight stress in an easy way -

1. Optimism tops my list. I keep my cool and say things will work out. I keep a positive stance even in dire circumstances. I feel having faith helps conquer stress. Thats how Miracles originate!!
2. Family and Children are such a good company. I learn and relearn while playing with them and beat that monster called stress.
3. If stressed, I start redecorating the environment around me, be it home or office. A good ambience and neat surrounding relaxes me. It takes away the focus from stress.
4. Being organized and punctual helps me a lot as it does not call for last minute closures.
5. Going for a drive is a good relaxant for me.
6. Going to shop turns out the best stress buster for me.
7. Having a social circle is important. It is good to have someone you can meet and talk to. I meet or call on my family/best friend/relations/friends whenever I see stress coming at a distance.
8. Going to the temple and talking to God is important for me. I ask him to share my stress.
9. Charity / donating to the needy or for a good genuine cause brings so much positive energy in me, it is just unbelievable.
10. Just penning down my thoughts on a piece of paper or even on this blog is a good relaxant.
11. Breathing exercises help improve the blood flow and relax my tense muscles.
12. It is always good to cultivate a hobby. Hobbies bring out so much fun into the normal schedules and are good avenues to remove focus from worries and stress. Games like sudoku/word puzzles are hobbies that engross me so much making stress seem distant.
13. Daily routines like cooking / gardening /laundary also keep me involved. I avoid idleness as it can destroy the best of brains.
14. Photography gives me joy when I click scenic landscapes and my family. Then downloading and sharing them with family and friends is another source of positive thoughts.
15. Going for a walk works very well by acting as an accupressure technique and also gives a push to the metabolism. Cycling works in the same way for me though I am not regular at both these activities.
16. Music helps soothe maximum population. But for me music would mean listening to bhajans while driving else it does not help me much. Same goes for movies, they do not help me forget stress rather they rebuild it for me by showing me what I want to forget. But they are popular stress busters for majority of the people.
17. Having pets, if possible, does wonders to our lifestyle. It makes one more humane / kind and affectionate. I had a pet some years ago and learnt a lot from Tiger, my pet dog.
18. Sharing - be it food/ thoughts/ jokes/knowledge /experiences, etc. is also one of my stress relievers.