Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Each of us is wired differently, but one aspect we all have in common: Certain activities relieve stress. When life overflows with tension, we need to make a conscious decision to partake in stress-relieving. But often, instead of pursuing some action that will minimize the affects of stress, we become so bound up in the situation, that we stop doing what helps us.
For me, the list of stress-buster activities is pretty short:
- Exercise. My dog, an Australian Shepherd, lives for stimulation. Give him a job, or he’ll find his own work–usually gnawing on a baseboard or tearing up a rug, or de-stuffing a toy. Given his disposition, I’m pretty much required to walk him. Oh, the miles we’ve covered together. Being out in nature gives me time to take a deep breath, pause from concentrating on whatever is producing stress for me, and a chance to take pleasure in the change of seasons and small things like spotting a heron fishing in a lake.
- Reading. Studies show that individuals relax 10 to 15 minutes after starting to read a book, magazine article, or the newspaper. As a matter of fact, the relaxing effect kicks in sooner when reading than in pursuing almost any other activity. I read in bed because it causes my mind to shift from the day’s events to the book’s events. And then I slip much more readily into sleep.
- Laughing. Laughter often is the best medicine. First, it helps us to realize that humor can be found in almost any situation. Second, it makes us stop frowning! Funny how something so small can reset our mental and emotional barometers.
- Water. I find water inherently relaxing. Apparently I’m not alone in this. Just think about a water fountain’s tinkle, and most of us feel more tranquil. When I slip into a swimming pool, stress slips away. I have a spa in my backyard that signals “relax” as soon as I feel the toasty water surround me. Because our yard backs on a state park, I survey the soft hills of the park or pick constellations out in the sky, or just listen to the crickets chatter with each other.
I’m feeling relaxed just writing about relaxation!
What relaxes you?
I have a daycare in my home as well as freelance for mags and newspapers. I find that writing on my novel relaxes me, (weird, I know) and reading this blog with my feet up like now…but my major tranquil time is spent on the back of my horse on a trail ride or out in the woods, walking my dogs. I let my mind rest from all obligations during these special times and I find that when I get back to work, I can incorporate what I was feeling or thinking about or something that occured in a story I’m writing. LOL! It seems that my mind is always at work no matter how hard I try to give it a break!
After a long, cold winter day, I love to relax in the sauna.
Sue Harrison
Reading–it puts me to sleep in about fifteen minutes, so I always end my day that way.
Riding the exercise bike, while reading or watching a good program.
Hiking with my husband, our dog, and our bows. Shooting arrows at tin cans left on logging roads is very relaxing, and each can is a nickel deposit, if we don’t obliterate them with our arrows first. 🙂
Baking while listening to a good audio book.
Doing something creative with my hands, like scrapbooking, beading or painting, while listening to an audio book.
Ice skating! I get my best plot ideas on the way to the rink. Hot tubs and beautiful views are good too. Also the process of making and drinking a cup of tea.
LeAnne, you’re so right about preparing and sipping tea. It’s such a refined and quieting experience. I make tea for everyone in the office each afternoon. It feels so civilized, even in a maddeningly frantic day.
This is very timely. For a number of years I’ve struggled with not having a “hobby”. The closest I had was men’s ministry filling my spare time, but not the most relaxing thing. I’ve found I really enjoy cake decorating – after too many episodes of Ace of Cakes, Cake Boss, Cake Challenge, etc, my wife and I made a grill cake for my birthday last summer and several since. Only having a couple people over for the Super Bowl but will have an over the top cake. It’s great trying new things and what’s nice is I don’t have a sweet tooth (I have the meat tooth in the family) so it’s not a big temptation to break the diet for.
Pat Morley of Man in the Mirror gave a talk years ago about needing a hobby for recreation, and it was great seeing him last week and telling him how much that talk has haunted me but how good it feels to have that recreational hobby now!
Rich Gerberding
Almost-daily walks (2-3 miles or more) have proved a huge de-stressor for me for nearly twelve years now. While I walk, I pray. The combination of physical exercise with spiritual nourishment brings peace.
And Janet? Our Aussie sounds much like yours. Long, brisk, regular walks make her a peaceful, contented girl. I must be an Aussie, too!
Rich, I love your cake hobby! I wish I saw cooking/baking as recreational, but our family is filled with foodies (sweet teeth, meat teeth, fish teeth–all manner of food is enjoyed); so preparing meals is taken very seriously. Everyone is sympathetic if a meal falls short, but I still feel the importance of placing a winner of a dish on the table. In other words, I’m feelin’ the stress.
I’m with you, Janet. Walking the dog, looking at beautiful views, and reading are what keep my brain from exploding.