Dogs seem to know how this works, sometimes almost too well. When you see a dog vivaciously shaking its entire body, it has been translated to mean that they just went through something that was a bit intense for them, or they needed to calm down. It almost seems to be a way for them to reset.
Soft Reboot
Have you experienced a shortening of breath, lack of sleep, tight shoulders, or even a short fuse temperament when under stress? Maybe you’re experiencing that now. We hope this article can bring you some relief.
Have you experienced a shortening of breath, lack of sleep, tight shoulders, or even a short fuse temperament when under stress? Maybe you’re experiencing that now. We hope this article can bring you some relief.
It’s true, we may feel that we relate better to our furry friends more than we do to our fellow sapiens. How can we use what they have seemed to master, to help us shake off our stress?
5 Steps to Relieve Your Stress
Laugh
Laughter has been proven to decrease stress hormones. There is even an official name for the exercise of laughter called “Laughercise”.
Laughter has been proven to decrease stress hormones. There is even an official name for the exercise of laughter called “Laughercise”.
Knowing that not everyone has the same sense of humor, it’s best to try something that gets that lol (laugh out loud) effect for you. It could be the comic section in the daily journal, or your monthly planner jokes of the day, or maybe a clip from your favorite stand-up comedian. Try what works best for you.
Another thing about laughter is that it is contagious. Have you watched a show, and noticed they have added in a group of people laughing, and maybe you wouldn’t have laughed, but they were laughing so you began to do so? Don’t be afraid to be the one spreading laughter around, it’s great for all who catch it.
Full-Body Scan
Our bodies are amazing under pressure. We may not always feel that way, but it’s true. So much that you may not even be aware of how much stress your body is actually under until you do something that brings it relief.
Our bodies are amazing under pressure. We may not always feel that way, but it’s true. So much that you may not even be aware of how much stress your body is actually under until you do something that brings it relief.
Have you been in one position so long, maybe at your desk, that your shoulders now are permanently stuck up in your neck? A full-body scan can help you become aware of where your body may be holding the stress. Again this can be different for you than it is for someone else. The process can begin with you closing your eyes, or simply drawing your attention inward to your body. Then try focusing on one body part at a time starting from your toes and visually move all the way to your head, or vice versa. Sometimes it helps to squeeze/flex a body part then let it rest completely. You may discover that you were already flexing that body part, and you will be able to experience a little relief when you let go.
Simple Surroundings
The environment we find ourselves in day to day can really have an effect on the way we feel. Life can get crammed with many things we feel we need, need to keep, need to hold onto. Those feelings can often lead to our workplace, home, and probably even more so our cars being crammed with unnecessary things.
The environment we find ourselves in day to day can really have an effect on the way we feel. Life can get crammed with many things we feel we need, need to keep, need to hold onto. Those feelings can often lead to our workplace, home, and probably even more so our cars being crammed with unnecessary things.
When we can have clean, organized spaces to live, work, and travel our mood tends to improve. Maybe it’s time for all those receipts, sticky notes, coffee cups you have lingering on your desk, or in your car to go find a new home, so you can start fresh.
Lavish Yourself With Love
There are personality types out there that are super generous, always caring, would give you the shirt off their back, even if that meant they would lose everything thing they had. Unfortunately they also are the ones that often get left by themselves to deal with the hard times when they come. This maybe you, or someone you know. Are you the one that everyone goes to, to vent? Stress can really build up when that happens.
There are personality types out there that are super generous, always caring, would give you the shirt off their back, even if that meant they would lose everything thing they had. Unfortunately they also are the ones that often get left by themselves to deal with the hard times when they come. This maybe you, or someone you know. Are you the one that everyone goes to, to vent? Stress can really build up when that happens.
True love of others involves loving yourself. That may mean that you’ll have to get use to saying the word “NO”. This is not to say that you can’t do nice things for people, but it’s good to pay attention to when saying yes could cause you more harm than good.
Dance
Last but not least. Dancing!! There is just something about dancing like no one is watching that is freeing. If you’re like most, you probably don’t like to admit that you may have shaken everything you got listening to Taylor Swifts - Shake it off song. It’s o.k. we won’t tell anyone.
Last but not least. Dancing!! There is just something about dancing like no one is watching that is freeing. If you’re like most, you probably don’t like to admit that you may have shaken everything you got listening to Taylor Swifts - Shake it off song. It’s o.k. we won’t tell anyone.
| For years, dancing has been used as an outlet for creativity and stress reduction. Don’t like to dance, that’s o.k. there still is benefit from listening to music. Listening to music that makes you feel good from the inside, can help life look, and feel a little brighter on the outside. |  |
We hope you have enjoyed this article, and will find some of these steps useful in helping you shake the stress off. Please leave your antidote to stress in the comment section below, we would love to hear how you get relief when feeling stressed out.
