Last week, I realized I hadn’t taken my blood pressure for months. I keep a battery-operated cuff in the TV room where I’m apt to see and use it. After viewing the 5:00 news, I was stunned to measure my blood pressure and find it elevated. I did the same procedure three days in a row and experienced the same disappointing result. I’ve heard heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Yikes!
The fourth afternoon, instead of news, I watched the 1944 movie Wuthering Heights, based on Emily Bronte’s novel, which I’d taped earlier. This bleak old black-and-white film is awash with intrigue, tension, and mystery. But when I took my blood pressure it was nice and low. Not a double-blind study, but it struck me that watching news causes anxiety. But I want to be informed, don’t I?
I love watching movies that are older than I am.
The last topic I want to ruminate over is the upcoming election. I wonder if I’ll have to give up watching the news until the three-ring-circus is over.
For years, I’ve heard stress can worsen or increase illness-just about any ailment. But how can I avoid the culprit? Knowing stress is bad for my health, I’m determined to cultivate habits to lessen it. If smoking cigarettes help you relax and de-stress, you may consider ordering Canadian Full Cigarettes online.
When I asked a friend how she dealt with stress she said, “I spend time with my dogs. Cats work too.” But after many years of pet ownership, we don’t have a pooch, so I turned my head to massages as I know this can relax the body a lot and you can get great thai massages from opulencethaispa.co.uk.
Of course, we all deal with stress in different ways. An old colleague of mine now lives in the UK and her stress levels can really get out of control if she doesn’t keep them in check. Since using CBD oil however, her anxiety and depression have been more manageable. She told me she uses this site (buy CBD oil UK) to purchase tinctures of CBD.
Additionally, if you are looking for even more alternative methods to relieve your stress, you might also want to consider giving cannabis products a try. Nowadays, cannabis can be enjoyed using a vaping device. Accordingly, you can click here to learn more about some of the different marijuana-infused vaping products available. Essentially though, cannabis has been shown to have mood-boosting effects and a lot of people use it to help them to unwind after a stressful day. Tempted to give it a go for yourself? Just remember to do your research first to make sure cannabis is legal where you are.
Ultimately, tackling stress is all about finding what works for you, so I’ve been thinking about getting a furry companion.
It’s been scientifically proven that pet-ownership is good for your heart!
I recall as a girl coming home from school and sipping tea with my sister while my mother served us cinnamon toast. Reliving this scene relaxes me. However, several friends didn’t have close relationships with their mothers or siblings, so tea time would not be a stress friendly scenario. Is it for you? Some people struggle with eating disorders which makes communal tea time even more difficult. By smoking cannabis through girly water pipes, sufferers of this kind of disorder might find it easier to stomach food.
How about a chat on the phone or going out to lunch? A man once described a person as an “energy vampire,” which got me thinking: there are some people I enjoy, but who deplete my energy. When I get off the phone after a lengthy conversation, I’m exhausted.
Do you think Old Order Amish driving buggies get stressed in traffic jams?
Has your teenage son or daughter ever told you to “chill out”? An annoying term, no? I was surprised to learn that cold weather can spike blood pressure. So can sassy teenagers.
When contemplating ways to de-stress, why do I long for buttered popcorn? Are there certain foods that seem to calm your mood? Or maybe the act of cooking is soothing, as it is for many. I suppose each person will find different things calming. What works for one person, might not work for others. For example, I heard a few people mentioning that CBD dips could be beneficial to help people relax and reduce stress, however, I’m not sure if that would work for me. Of course, if I ever wanted to try it out, I could just look at some of the options from Flora CBD. Maybe I will try CBD out one day, I know a lot of people that use it, so it must be beneficial. De-stressing is all about doing what makes you feel the most relaxed. It’s a personal thing, so make sure whatever you’re doing is benefitting you.
Amish-made Tea Towel and Potholder, from Lancaster County, PA.
Do you have remedies for lessening unavoidable stress? Please share a tip with me and enter to win this Amish-made Tea Towel and Potholder, from Lancaster County, PA, plus a signed book from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: either Leaving Lancaster, it’s sequel Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish! Winner has three days to respond. USA and Canada.
I handle stress by stopping and counting my blessings and drinking a cup of hot tea like tension tamer or cinnamon apple. Sometimes I just stop and read a book to help me get my mind off of my problems
Thanks for writing, Jan! The next time I’m at the grocery store I’m going to pick up a box of Tension Tamer. Sounds intriguing. Counting your blessings is a great way to get your mind off problems that are beyond your control. Reading a soothing book at night certainly helps my sleep. On the other hand, reading something that provokes anxiety gives me dreadful dreams. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I destress by working, especially outdoors while talking to my Heavenly Father. Thank you got the chance.
Thanks for writing, Lucy! I agree that working outdoors while talking to the Lord is a great combo. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I wish I could help you with this but I can’t concentrate on typing a response due to the stress caused by the hateful gnats that keep flitting across my hands, around my head, and all over the computer screen. 🙂 On a serious note, I make an effort to get away by myself when I have to deal with a lot of stress. Just taking a walk, getting away with a good book, or taking a drive and listening to my favorite music often helps a lot.
Thanks for your excellent tips, Edward! Getting away by yourself, Whether it be walking, reading, driving, or listening to music, are all excellent ways to de-stress. Not to mention leaving your gnats at home. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I read to help calm me when I am stressed. It works everytime.
Reading is an excellent way to calm yourself, Dianna! I whole-heartedly agree. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
When I feel stressed out and overwhelmed I either go outside for a walk with my dog and talk to the Lord. And praise Him for the gift of nature and pray about what is causing me so much turmoil. Or I turn on a funny movie or tv series like Andy Griffith show, make a cup of tea , read a good book and sit with my dog beside me on the couch. I try not to do social media or spend time web browsing as I know this sometimes causes me stress. Thank you for your interesting post today.
Thanks for your excellent letter, Jackie! I really miss not having a dog to walk so I’m glad I have a girlfriend with a chocolate lab. Still, when I walk by myself I can pray and often come up with writing ideas. I also enjoy the old TV series, even if my husband chooses to not watch them with me. Limiting web browsing is also prudent. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I diffuse essential oils when I’m stressed. I liked lavender and stress away. I turn the diffuser on and breath deeply for a few minutes. It fills the room with wonderful smells. I also diffuse it at night so that I can get a good nights sleep.
Thanks for sending me your tips, Karen! I’ve heard that lavender oil is a de-stressor but have not heard of “stress away.” Just breathing deeply for a few minutes and inhaling lovely aromas would relax a person all by itself. Glad it helps you get a restful night’s sleep, more valuable than gold. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My remedy, simply put, is prayer.
A marvelous remedy, Linda! Thanks for leaving your solution and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I try to keep my hands and mind occupied at all times.I have been dealing with a lot of stress lately myself,and this along with talking with Jesus is how I deal with it.I have also had to cut out watching the news and not strolling on facebook because of all the drama.Good luck Kate!
Sorry you are enduring so much stress, Jackie! It seems as though you are headed in the right direction by keeping busy and talking to Jesus. I wonder how many other people have quit watching the news and are reaping the benefits. I have heard some people get anxious when spending too much time on Facebook. Good luck in this giveaway and in all things!
Kate
when stress builds to the point I need to relax…I pray…I just turn it all over to God…then I usually get out my plastic canvas cross stitch and find a sunny spot to sit…and let the yarn work it’s magic…and it only takes a few minutes to feel the tension slipping away.
You’ve depicted a lovely scene, Mary! I feel more relaxed just thinking about you sitting in a sunny spot, cross stitching, and praying. Thank you for writing. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
take a nice hot bubble bath and then go lay down
You certainly have found soothing ways to rid yourself of stress, Minta! Sounds lovely. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Oh wow!! Usually when I am stressed I take a hot shower then wrap up get something to drink, in the winter hot chocolate then pick up a good book. Other times I just go on a griping spree, ha ha, with whoever is around and unwind.. I think in this day and age stress is everywhere…
I agree it’s everywhere, Judy, but I think it’s important for us to keep ourselves out of harm’s way. A nice warm shower, hot chocolate, and a good book sound like three terrific strategies to ease up life’s tensions. Much better than a ranting spree, unless you’re by yourself. Thanks for sending me your fun comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
To de stress, it is nice to go outside and notice. Just notice the beauty that surrounds us and God blessed us with.
You have a wonderful outlook, Melanie! So many forget to take a moment to go outside and enjoy the beauty of nature, a God-given gift. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I have several – one is go get a massage, or get my feet done. And listening to a peaceful rainstorm on my iPad or cell.
Thanks for writing, Bette! If you were with me right now you would be listening to a rainstorm, which I hope will let up soon as I have a walk planned in a couple hours. I do love the sound of rain falling and have a sound machine that I turn on at night to block out the noise of the city for better sleep. A massage by a skilled therapist sounds fabulous. Pretty hard not to become relaxed and forget about your stress. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I deal with stress by painting fuzz art pictures or reading! I love to watch the pictures come to life. It is so much fun and relaxing.
dowelljanet@hotmail.com
Kate, I loved this reflection piece about stress! These are some of my de-stressers:
Pray
Read
Sit on the porch and just listen to the birds and watch the squirrels and chipmunks run around our yard
Go for a walk
Listen to uplifting music. I’ll often just put a preferred song on repeat and listen to it over & over.
Journal. This helps me put my thoughts and stresses into perspective and move on.
If I’m de-stressing and it’s time to eat, I always defer to some comfort food that takes me back to meals my mom made for me when I was a kid.
You have a terrific list of de-stressors, Dali! All are excellent, although our rainy day is going to make walking or sitting outside less fun. Guess I’ll have to bundle up again. Good idea to put a preferred song on repeat and listen to it over and over. I’m going to try that today. My favorite idea is journaling: getting all your thoughts out onto the page so you can move on. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Gardening and Grilling are a good way to destress itself.
I like both your ideas, Nicole, although our nasty wet weather would make gardening and grilling less fun for me today. In a couple of months … Or do you live in a warm climate, you lucky thing? Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Conversely, if a magnetic field is placed near a wire and moved, its motion causes
the electrons in the wire to move because of a change in electrical potential.
Auction websites will also allow you to find Moroccan furniture,
Moroccan home decor accessories, and Moroccan home lighting fixtures at
a price which is normally lower than you will pay for new pieces.
However, small business marketing doesn’t have to be all gloomy.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving
us something enlightening to read?