Friday, October 2, 2009

Activities For Stress Management

Stress can be a killer. Unwanted stress is usually work related. It can happen suddenly or creep up on us over a period of time, without being noticed. Left unrecognized, work related stress can make us sick and have a significantly detrimental effect on our lives.

When you are dealing with a lot of unwanted stress, it is possible to cope with it easily. If you know and use the right activities, you can get your mind off the problem that's bothering you. Having fun may not get rid of the source of the problem entirely, but diverting your mind from it for a short period of time will calm you down and help you regain your composure before taking it on again.

You don't have to leave town or go on an extended vacation to get rid of work related stress. In fact, you can easily relieve stress and have fun in the comfort of your own home to take your mind off it. Indulging in word or board games, sports, music and art, and many other activities will take up your time and help you relax. Consider the following activities:

1. Exercise your mind to relieve stress

Stress is centered on your mind. It is only reasonable to divert your mind into something more productive and fun. Try some games that require your mind to think and be active. Chess is a great way to stop thinking about the problem and focus more on how to beat your partner. You could try playing word or number games that challenges your mind, like scrabble, Sudoku, word puzzles or crosswords. Games such as these will help divert your mind from work related stress and help you achieve a sense of relaxation.

2. Make your body sweat out the stress

Exercise is by far the best stress remover. One stress management technique is to engage in sports. Many people will agree that a friendly basketball game will relieve stress and help you relax. Exercise will help you focus your mind on winning, especially if you can turn it into a competition. This can be an outlet for anger or irritation with work and channel it in a positive way instead of holding it in or venting it out at home or the office.

Engaging in exercise or sports will help sweat out toxins that accumulate due to stress. Exercise that causes you to move around a lot will also help you lose weight and tone up your muscles. Muscles may be cramped and sore when you are under stress.

3. Join a gym for stress relief

Paying money for something creates a commitment to use it. Sometimes it is easier to exercise if we are actually paying for it. If you want to channel your stress in a positive and productive direction and release it effectively then you might want to try coping with it at a local gym. Since stress affects a person physically, mentally, and emotionally, it may be best to address these three aspects at one time.

An instructor or coach can help you divert your mind from your problems by helping you focus on the program he or she has in store for you. You will need to focus your mind and effort to completing a workout routine. You won't have time to think about at home or the office; you will just be able to focus on getting your body in shape.

If joining a gym is not an option, consider taking a physical education or weight lifting class at a local community college. You can relieve stress, improve your body and continue your education at the same time. A real win-win situation.

Another benefit of exercise, whether you do it at home or go to the gym is that you will strengthen your heart to counter the effects of stress. Stress is a common contributor to heart attack and stroke. By exercising with a cardiovascular workout, you will strengthen your body for the future. Then, when you come under unwanted workplace stress, you will be physically equipped to deal with it.

The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency to help reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Marshall Crum has spent more than 25 years working as a safety professional and enjoys writing articles about health and safety issues and other subjects of interest that provide help for people who are looking for ways to improve their health to look and feel better about themselves. He has recently released a book on dealing with everyday stress.

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