Stress Relievers

Posted by Jenn Greenleaf Sep 14, 2008

What are your favorite stress relievers? Do you find stress relief through journaling, being creative, writing short stories, or being poetic? Do you find stress relief in gardening, performing home improvement projects, or organizing something that has been neglected too long?

I’m asking these questions because I’ve been holding my stress in too much lately. I keep telling myself that I’ll make time to read, make time to work on creative projects, and take time for ME. I’m not doing this, though, and as a result . . . I’m very stressed out all the time. I try to hide this as much as possible because I don’t like making my problems everyone else’s.

So, maybe I can find some stress relief in baking desserts nightly? (Actually, then I’ll stress out over my paints not fitting me anymore.) Maybe I can find some stress relief in working on a mixed media painting? (Actually, then I would stress about the fact that I should be working on my book rather than painting.) Maybe I can find some stress relief in working on my potted plants? (Actually, then I would stress out about the fact that I can’t seem to keep them alive!)

See how excuses can mount up quicker than that laundry in the basket over there? Yes, it’s stressing me out too. It’s easy to make excuses about why we’re stressed and why we can’t find a solution for our stress. It’s difficult to break free from these habits, but it is not impossible.