Twenty-Four Stress Relief Strategies

I have literally just come back from a two-week deployment as a Stress Counselor working with the FEMA Call Center in Denton, Tx. The folks at this facility take the calls from Hurricane survivors in all manner of stress, including life and death situations. My job was to be with them and share tools and tips that could help them deal with the sometimes intense nature of the calls.

My friend, Maggie Anderson from Albuquerque is currently in Tx working with a ministry team to help the Harvey survivors begin the process of recovery, I am thankful for her photo.

Here are twenty-Four Stress Relief Tips.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know men and women are continually being bombarded with stress. Whether you are married or single, young or old, stress is an ever-present challenge. Stress-related illnesses are on the rise and have you noticed all of the sleep aid ads on television. With all of this stress, we are faced with I thought it would be a good idea to give you Twenty-Five Stress Relieving Tips.

1. Quit whining and try smiling.
2. Take a walk and walk and walk and walk.
3. Remember the lyrics to your favorite song, as long as it isn’t Johnny Cash’s version of Pain, you should be okay. Danger, if you find yourself singing an ACDC, Donny and Marie Osmond, or a Metallica tune call me, you might need some therapy.
4. Remember it’s not about you.
5. Hold spouse’s hand for ten minutes, with no expectations of anything else. He or she will love it.
6. Pray and meditate. You could start with the 23rd Psalm.
7. Get rid of your grungy shower curtain.
8. Admit you were wrong, confess your mess, and clean it up.
9. Shake it off. Have you ever watched athletes limber up their arms, legs, and head? Research shows  “shaking it off” actually helps release stress.
10. Go to Starbucks with some friends.
11. Forgive someone who hurt you. The only one who pays the price of unforgiveness is you.
12. Go to church.
13. Water a plant.
14. Find a great view and savor it.
15. Let someone cut in line.
16. Download Tactical Breather and chill out for a few.
17. Add ten minutes to your Estimated Time of Arrival. Go ahead and drum on your steering wheel or dashboard. A study in Advances in Mind-Body Medicine showed group drumming alleviated stress. A drum solo may bring similar benefits.
18. Hold your tongue. When you want to answer someone quickly, respond slowly. The Bible says God gave you two ears and one mouth. Apply liberally.
19. Focus on the good in a situation. Robert Allen, a bestselling author, says, “No thought lives in your head rent-free.” You always have the power to choose your thoughts. If you opt to focus on negative, non-productive thoughts, it will cost you time, money, health, opportunity, and happiness.
20. Walk barefoot in the park, just watch out for dog flops.
21. Write a gratitude letter. This message can take one of two forms. First, sit down, with a pen and paper (no keyboarding) and begin to work on a list of things you are grateful. Be creative. Second, think of two people you are thankful for, a spouse, friend, mentor, or parent and write them a gratitude letter. Let them know what impact they have had in your life.
22. Get out of Debt Denial. Research shows getting realistic about your financial situation can lower your stress.
23. Drop the butts, if you still smoke, quit.
24. Trip silence. A tough one for me since I am a little ADHD. Try taking a trip without the radio, CD, or your iTunes or MP3 playlist turned off. Trip silence can be a welcome break from time to time.