Do you have much stress?  Is stress about such important issues in your life like money, marriage, kids, health, job?   Most people have some of those types of stress inducers. Other people get overly stressed about some of the less important things, i.e. the darn DVD won’t work, the golf course isn’t maintained to your standard, etc… Stress is not really about big or small things per se; it is about how your brain reacts to them.

People vary as to how they react to potentially stressful situations.  If someone or something is a stressor for you, your brain releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol which trigger the “fight or flight” response in you. What direction do you typically go?  It is important to know what type you are and what particular stressors impact you the most.

Unhealthy responses are common. Emotional retentives tend to go to something outside of themselves to relieve their stress. This is where addictive orientations come in. Emotional expressives usually get the stress out by angry behavior in some form of excess.

Better positive reactions and choices to stress are preferred to minimize the pain that occurs. An article by Susan Swimmer in the Ladies Home Journal lists “50 stress cures.” I would like to pick out some to share with you.

1. Talk to someone: Share your stress concerns with a trusted friend and/or a trained professional. Just unloading helps, plus you may actually get some help to solve the particular concern.

2. Cry: Tears coming from stress actually release toxic chemicals that have built up in your system.

3. Laugh:A hearty laugh decreases stress hormones in the bloodstream and relaxes you.

4. Put fun on your to-do list: A balanced life needs leisure time fun to offset the many stressful things you have to do in your life.

 5. Become a believer: Focus on optimism and the many successes that you have had in life. Believing in yourself and your ability reduces stressful fears and pessimism.

6. Start a stress journal: Write down the people and situations that give you stress. Getting it out in your writing helps distance you emotionally.  Also, over time you may see trends in those factors that cause you stress.

7. Ditch toxic people: There are some people in your life that are negative and stressful. Reduce your exposure to those who are not additive to your life.

8. Say ‘no’ to negative talk: When your inner voice is critical and negative, “change the channel” to respond with a positive “can do” message to yourself.

9. Breathe deeply: Long deep breaths slow the stress response by getting energizing oxygen to your body.  Preferably this is done in a quiet relaxing place with eyes closed.

10. Stretch: We hold tension in the soft tissues of our body’s muscles. Stretching restores energy, flexibility, and mobility.

11. Have sex: Research is clear that a massive endorphin release happens during orgasm that has a calming effect on the body long afterward.  Ms. Swimmer says that’s “partner optional.”

12. Plan a real vacation: Getting away, even for a short time is relaxing. Even the planning process lowers stress.

13. Exercise: Exercise increases blood flow, causing stress hormones to dissipate faster.  It helps with depression and bad moods as well.

14. Do someone a favor: This allows you to be a problem solver instead of a problem sufferer.  Getting out of yourself to give to another reduces stress.

15. Sleep well: Biochemical housekeep takes place during this time, particularly during the first few hours when REM sleep occurs.

16. Get a message:  Tightness in the soft muscles is released which relieves stress.

17. Practice Yoga: Yoga releases stress hormones and quiets the mind.

18: Treat yourself: Do something special and fun for yourself. You will decompress and de-stress.

19. Break out the vino: A glass of red wine with its antioxidants forces you to stop, sit and relax.  If you are an alcoholic, skip this one.

20. Crank up the music: Losing yourself in music is a great stress reliever.

Stress is a killer. May some or many of these stress reducers be added to your repertoire of living a long a healthy life!

— Dr. Stathas is a counseling psychologist, licensed marriage and family Therapist, in the Lake Oconee area. He is the founder of the Stathas Life Development Center. He can be reached at (706) 473-1780. E-mail: Stathas@plantationcable.net Web site: drstathas.googlepages.com.