Fun Ways To Conquer Stress

Has anyone recently made you so angry that you felt like screaming? Have you ever had someone push your buttons? Do you ever find yourself sitting and worrying about how you will handle a certain situation? Are you mentally replaying embarrassing situations? Of course, we have all experienced such negative feelings, such stresses.

The increasing demands of modern life often put tremendous stress on our minds and our bodies. Of course, some stress is not necessarily bad. Some stressful situations prompt us to wake up and achieve, while other stressful situations arise to protect us from hazardous situations.

Although stress is not an illness per se, negative stress creates both emotional and physical effects on the body. Unfortunately, some of the long term effects of stress are not noticed until it’s too late.
The term “stress” was coined by Hans Selye who, as a medical student in the 1920’s, noticed some interesting similarities in his patients as they experienced many different illnesses. He found that our bodies react to stress following a certain pattern of responses. When we are faced with a stressor, our resistance levels go through one of three phases:

Alarm Response- When people are exposed to stressors, the body at first copes with the situation by using available energy and protective stress hormones, thereby triggering a biochemical reaction known as “the fight or flight” reaction. Stress hormones are released into the bloodstream, creating an increase in blood pressure, heart palpitations, excess perspiration, muscle tension, increased blood-sugar levels and faster and deeper breathing. In addition, we may experience a sudden surge of adrenaline, should we need it, which would provide us with extra physical capabilities.

Adaptation- If the stressor no longer exists, the body resumes functioning in its normal level of resistance. However if the stress continues, the body must adapt. The body may feel temporarily okay, however the stores of energy begin to be used up and over time the body begins to lose its’ ability to function properly. Feelings of irritability, fatigue, apathy and lethargy may develop.

Exhaustion- When high levels of stress continue for a long period of time, and the body does not have enough time to recharge, our resistance is decreased and an imbalance in hormones often occurs. This can cause a suppressed immune system, a decrease in metabolism and a decrease in the rate of cellular repair. The body may begin to feel exhausted, run down, or psychologically and physically “burnt out.”

Selye’s findings point out however, that if we allow ourselves to get occasional relief from stress and we take good care of our bodies, it is less likely that we will suffer the effects of exhaustion.

Our reaction to stress can easily be changed. Sometimes we may feel like a dartboard, with stressful situations being thrown at us from all directions. Financial worries, arguments with loved ones, pressures at work, health issues are all stresses we deal with at one time or another. If it is raining, I would give you an umbrella to shield you from the rain but, I cannot stop the raindrops from falling. And of course, I cannot stop the stresses that occur daily, however I can show you wonderful, effective, fun methods you can easily use, at any time, that will help decrease stress and with a little practice, eliminate the negative effects stress has on you.

We all know how wonderful it feels to laugh. Norman Cousins wrote a book entitled, “Anatomy of an Illness, “ in which he discussed how, through the use of laughter, it is actually possible to heal illness. Bernie Siegel MD, in “Humor and Healing” emphasizes the importance of laughter to help prevent disease. Deepak Chopra, another noted author states that laughter and having fun, actually changes the body chemistry and creates “happy molecules” that help fight illness. In addition laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces pain, boosts the immune system, exercises your lungs and relaxes your muscles.

So let’s laugh as often as possible!!! Laughing out loud is wonderful. But, did you realize that any time someone upsets you or you feel stressed, you can actually laugh in “your mind” to yourself? Nobody has to know what you are doing. Just focus on the laughter in your mind and with practice, you will be able to magically block out any negativities aimed at you.

Here…Ready…Let’s laugh for a few minutes!!!

How great is that?

Another wonderful and effective way to block out stress, to block out someone’s yelling, nasty remarks, criticism or your own negative mind chatter is by using gibberish, by making sounds out loud or to yourself and saying nonsense, not actual words. Allow yourself to really get into it, making silly sounds and even moving your hands and body if possible. Concentrate solely on the sounds you are making, blocking out all outside noise. Do this exercise for a few minutes. Estimate two minutes and abruptly stop…and sit still.

Here…Ready…Let’s do it!!!!

Dabadadadaddadmaticallitalipatinuratiomnietterpitikuookielatiti!!

Didn’t that feel great? You actually released the stresses, as you used the gibberish. This occurred because it is impossible to have two emotions or two thoughts at the same time. So when you were concentrating on the gibberish, everything else was blocked out of your mind. What a wonderful trick!!

Another great way to rid oneself of stress or any discomfort is to merely blow it far away. Think of something that upset you slightly. Take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds and then blow it out of you. We’ll do this a few times, and as you do this exercise imagine the stress or discomfort floating far away from you, till it actually disappears.

Okay… Ready…Take a deep deep breath of positive energy…hold it…hold it…Now blow it out..Blow it out…Blow it far away….Imagine the stress or discomfort floating away…Allow it to disappear…(repeat a few times)

How wonderful to be able to blow away any discomfort and anything that upsets us!!

You can easily take control of both your mind and your body by practicing the three techniques described.

1. Laughter
2. Gibberish
3. Blow it away

They will reverse the stress response and help you cope better with life’s challenges.

Remember to use these methods as often as possible, until they become a habit, whether you’re feeling stressed or just want to relax, clear your mind or to meditate. The results are powerful!!!

You’ll be amazed!!!

By Maggie Ferenczi Ph.D, MPH