Ways to Relieve Stress


	Ways to Relieve Stress: Saying "Yes!" One of the best ways to relieve stress is learning to say "yes." It might feel like you already say "yes" too much; that's how you got so stressed out to begin with, right? But think about the kinds of things you are saying "yes" to. We're talking about saying "yes" to taking care of yourself, not to adding to your stress levels. It's when you can't afford to take a break that you can't afford not to. Often when we are overstressed, we get too focused on digging ourselves out of the situation by working harder, trying to squeeze more into a day. We may think now is not the time for a break or to do something relaxing or nice for ourselves. But it's precisely when you don't feel you can afford to stop for a minute that it's most necessary. Little things make a difference. So practice saying "yes" in those moments -- yes to a quick walk around the block, yes to a short nap, yes to a meal (you probably worked through lunch, didn't you?), yes to a bathroom break (yup, you know you hold it too long when you're busy). You deserve a reward, not punishment. You are not naughty and you don't need to be punished for finding yourself bombarded by stress. What you really need is to be nurtured and rewarded for dealing with everything you have going on -- with soothing, healthy food and ample sleep, just for starters. A massage, a glass of wine, a bath, some good music, a workout -- what sounds good? Whatever appeals to you, do it. You know what ways to relieve stress you need; what will make you feel better. Short breaks and longer indulgences. Practice saying "yes" to self-care in the form of short breaks in the middle of the fray, and "yes" to more thorough pampering in the lulls in the action. Saying "yes" to your own needs will sustain and revitalize you and allow you to keep up with your workload and keep your stress at bay, whatever form it comes in.	Stress News It's National Stress Awareness Month! Did you know April is National Stress Awareness Month? Since 1992, thanks to the Health Resource Network, Americans have a month to focus on the problem of stress and how to better handle it. According to HRN's website, health care professionals and people who promote health are disseminating information and leading forums, discussion groups, and community events to raise awareness and educate the public about stress. There's also a National Stress Awareness Day -- April 16, the day after taxes are due. Which may make it a great occasion on which to reflect about starting your taxes earlier next year. Gene Reduces Vulnerability to Stress If you handle stress well, you may have mom and dad to thank. UCLA researchers studying the IL6 gene and the biochemical pathway that triggers it have discovered that people who have a less common variant of the gene may be more able to withstand life's stressful events. The IL6 gene controls the body's immune response, causing inflammation when activated during the body's "fight or flight" response to stress. The most common variant of IL6 is associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer, and people with this variant have an increased risk of death for 11 years after suffering a stressful life event severe enough to trigger depression. But a less common version of IL6 lacks the pathway for stress to trigger it, resulting in no increased risk of death following major stress for those who carry it. The study will appear in an upcoming issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (UCLA News Release, 2/10) Want More Stress News? Check out the Stress News Archive
Contents Home This Just In! Quote of the Day Thought of the Week What is Stress? Stress Symptoms Effects of Stress Stress and Health Stress Statistics Coping with Stress How to Learn to Relax Conditioned Relaxation 101 Stress Tips Work Stress Kids and Stress Holiday Stress About Me Disclaimer Privacy Policy Contact Me Enjoy This Site? Then why not use the buttons below, to add us to your favorite bookmarking service? Subscribe to StuckFress.com Stress During Learning Affects Ability to Remember Stuff If you want to retain what you learn, don't try to learn it when you're under stress. German researchers subjected people to stress (immersing their hands in cold water -- ouch!) while they were learning words. During recall and recognition tests 24 hours later, the numb-handed people performed less well than control subjects who were not exposed to stress during the learning exercise. (Journal of Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 2/10)
Return from Saying Yes to StuckFress.com Home
Copyright © 2009-2010, StuckFress.com. All rights reserved.