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19/03/20

21 Stress Alleviators

Here are 21 stress relievers and energy boosters. They are simple and implementable in your cozy isolation. None of these will cure the virus, boost the stock market or build the economy. What they will do is interrupt the damaging stress response before your immune system and sanity go out the window.

  1. Listen to your favorite music. Amp it up! Or, slow it down for a nice mellow.
  2. Enjoy a long, warm bubble bath. Or, a stimulating shower for you non-soakers.
  3. Go for a walk. Look around you. Tulips are emerging. Ever resilient.
  4. Relax outside. I sit on my front porch and read a light novel every afternoon around 4:30. My front porch faces west. I can wave to my neighbors. The dogs are with me. I’ve got tea. It’s a little bit of heaven.
  5. Read a real book. When did you get the book? Read it before. Enjoy again.
  6. Try a new kind of herbal tea. Savor it.
  7. Reflect on pleasant memories.
  8. Take a nap.
  9. Make a new recipe. Email me for my cozy, comfy, creamy (without cream) cauliflower soup. karen@karensusman.com
  10. Do aerobics to peppy music. YouTube has oodles of exercise videos.
  11. Pet an animal. My dogs are real cuddlers and totally devoted to my wellness.
  12. Work on a jigsaw puzzle.
  13. Watch snowflakes or rain drops fall.
  14. Color in a coloring book. You can download color sheets. https://www.crayola.com/featured/free-coloring-pages/,  www.justcolor.net
  15. Read a cartoon, joke book or book of real really stupid quotes. As baseball great, Dizzy Dean said, “ The game was closer than the score indicated.” Or how about a profound quote?  As bubbly bandleader Lawrence Welk said, “There are good days and there are bad days and this is one of them.” Or, funny quotes to ponder. George Carlin is the master. George asked, “Why is it like this? Why isn’t everything different? Hmmmm.
  16. Learn a new skill that takes concentration.
  17. Work with clay. You don’t have to be talented. This isn’t a competition.
  18. Say loving words to yourself.  Sounds woo-woo, but often we deride ourselves. What good does that do?
  19. Reflect on what and whom you appreciate. Count all those blessings.
  20. Drink a glass of water slowly. Feel it going down, hydrating your throat and nourishing your body.
  21. Sing. Can’t sing? I disagree. I can’t sing on tune, but I can sing. Sing loud. Good for a laugh. Good for deep breathing. Good for you!

NOTE: I have a no-charge bookmark available with 116 Stress Tips. If you’d like one, email me with your mailing address at karen@karensusman.com. Some tips you can use when we can get closer than 6 feet from another, but many will help you now!

Let me know what you do to manage your stress.

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