5 Untraditional Ways To Handle Stress
Have you ever found yourself in a position where nothing seems to be going the way you planned? Your to-do list is unbearable and seems as though it is as long as both testaments in the bible? Deadlines are approaching swiftly and all you want to do is scream or take a couple shots of Hennessy to the head? Well, you’re probably experiencing stress.
What Is Stress?
Stress is your bodies response to physical, mental, and or emotional tension. Stress can be brought about externally (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internally (illness, or from a medical procedure). As human beings, we are all susceptible to stress. It doesn’t matter how positive and/or optimistic you are. Your life could be going perfect then BOOM, stress appears.
What Happens When We Stress?
Stress can cause the flowing: Headaches, Heartburn, Rapid Breathing, Risk of Heart Attack, Pounding Heart, Fertility Problems, Erectile Dysfunction, Missed Periods, Increased Depression, Insomnia, Weakened Immune System, High Blood Sugar, High Blood Pressure, & Low Sex Drive.
“AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT” - A Social Media Proverb
Truth is we’re too blessed to be stressed and in the grand scheme of things stress is not necessarily a bad thing. If human beings didn’t have the ability to feel stress we would not have been able to survive in the caveman days. So, shockingly there is beauty and light in everything, even something as negative as stress. Life will try to get you through this adulting phase, but don’t fall into its trap. You’ve got this, and we’ve got you! If you find yourself getting stressed throughout the day, here are 5 non-traditional ways to de-stress on a daily basis. Tell a friend to tell a friend, WOOSAH:
1.FREESTYLE: Write a rhyme and bust an intense freestyle about everything that is stressing you out like Issa Rae from the hit HBO series “Insecure”. Writing and poetry is a great form of expression and a great healer.
2. ADULT COLORING BOOKS: Who said coloring books were just for kids? You don’t have to be Andy Warhol to use art as an outlet, and adult coloring books help to zone in and focus on a beautiful task. While you’re coloring your masterpiece everything that you are stressing about flies out of the window and once you’re done you will feel amazing about what you have created! #artheals
3. DEACTIVATE & DISCONNECT: All of your stress factors can probably be found somewhere on your cell phone because we essentially live through our phone in the modern day. Work problems, family problems, friend problems, and even financial problems have the ability to taunt and haunt us via a mobile device 24/7. We are constantly connected to others and always available, sometimes we should disconnect to refresh and restart. Try leaving your phone at home for the day or step away from it for a couple of hours once a week. Being still and having a clear mind with no distractions will help you figure out your problems and truly think from within without any additives.
4) GUM: Chew gum, and lots of it all day. Chewing gum increases alertness and blood flow in the brain. You’ll be winning all day with fresh breath and a fresh mind.
5. AROMATHERAPY: Have you ever smelt flowers or another lovely scent and instantly felt joyous? That is aromatherapy, and FYI the smell of yummy food doesn’t necessarily go into this category, although food brings comfort which can also temporarily relieve stress or anxiety but not in a positive way. Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being.