Articles

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY: UNCONVENTIONAL STRESS RELIEVERS

"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt, and live like it's heaven on earth."

-Mark Twain

Sing

LOTS OF PEOPLE swear by the power of music to release tension and stress.

Sing in your car, in the shower, at home, or wherever you feel comfortable.

It doesn't matter if you sing childhood jingles or Billboard hits.

The point is to let go of inhibition and have fun.

If you really want to use up some energy, add some dance steps.

Feel silly? Good. At least you won't feel stressed.

Repetitive, relaxing activity

Try knitting, crochet, pottery making, or anything with soothing movements.

Don't worry about creating a masterpiece or even developing a skill

It's the process that's beneficial.

Sitting still while performing repetitive movements is calming and stabilising.

It could also be an opportunity to collect your thoughts.

Grow something

Start a garden. You don't need a large yard or even any yard. Apartment-dwellers can have a balcony garden or even an indoor 'garden' of potted plants.

Sure, there's work involved in getting started. But tending plants and flowers and watching them grow, bloom, or yield fruit and vegetables is rewarding.

Avid gardeners say working in a garden is one of the best ways of controlling stress and worry. The added benefit being, of course, the creation of a beautiful environment.

Play with a pet

Pet owners have longer lives and fewer stress symptoms than non-pet owners.

It's hard to feel negative or tense when you are stroking a kitten or taking a dog for a walk. It's a form of social interaction with no pressure to meet anyone's expectations!

Star gaze

Gaze at the stars. Preferably in a still, dark and quiet area. Sit back and observe the heavens. Just for fun, try to identify some constellations arid planets.

Accepting the vastness of the universe can make any problem seem very small.

Read, write and rave

Creative expression is a great stress buster. Read a good book Write poetry. Cover the floor with rangoli patterns. Rave about what you have enjoyed with anyone who cares to listen. More than half the pleasure of enjoyment is when you share it with others and see them in sync with your emotions. Share a joke, a thought, a tale...

Since these are unconventional activities, you could think up so many more. Each one as unique in itself as you are. Make them fun, relaxing or as bizarre as you please. Tell the world, or keep your secret.

*6\305\2*