De-Stress and Detox

De-Stress and Detox

April 30th, 2009 @ 11:22 am by Mrs. Caramel
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I never wanted to be one of those high-strung, whining, stressed out people that you felt nervous being around. I always thought of them as weak, annoying wimps who couldn’t take control of their own lives. Harsh–yes, but I’m just being brutally honest! However, as much as I hate to admit it, I think I’m becoming one of them. How do I know this? Well for starters, my body is telling me so. My jaw is sore from clenching, I’m starting to have major stomach problems, and my upper shoulders are so tense that I had to visit the chiropractor for the first time (And not just for a massage!). I will say over and over again, “I’m fine! Really, I’m okay. I’m in control.” But my body is angry at my denial. It’s wagging its finger at me and saying that I need to lie down and deal with my issues.

De-Stress and Detox : wedding health Stress http://www-static.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/29/stress.jpg

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Here are some ways I’m preparing to help de-stress and detox my suffering brain and body:

Taking a moment each day to lie down, stare into space, and concentrate on breathing (I wish I could be a yoga person, but I’m usually trembling and sweating so much that I can’t really relax!).
Drinking a lot of water & Gatorade. So much that I have to pee all the time.
Lessening my coffee intake. This is truly difficult, but I think it will help with my dehydration and stomach issues.
Spend more time outdoors and less time on the laptop/TV
Not RUSHING everywhere! Taking my time getting to my location… on purpose.
In addition to not rushing, arriving 5-10 minutes early to wherever I need to be, so I’m not frazzled.
Stop denying my stress. It hurts so much worse when I suppress it!
Typically, since I’m an animal person, I like to chill with my cat. But because I don’t have one anymore, I’ve decided to volunteer at the local animal shelter. It’s very rewarding!!

I know that my work has been causing me a lot of stress, which is why I’m grateful that I’m changing careers completely. (Bad work environment = emotional and physical hell!) However, I found this article about this very issue:

The Truth on Stress

Repeat after me: Work does not give you stress. Feeling bad about work gives you stress.

This means that changing your work hours, your responsibilities, your priorities or your work environment is meaningless, unless it also changes the way you feel at work.

Those stress management courses will not do the trick either, unless they can achieve just that.

If you’re stressed, you must take charge and make whatever changes are necessary to go from feeling anxious, inadequate or drained at work to feeling appreciated, proud and energetic, which will not only remove workplace stress, but will also make you more efficient, creative, successful and happy at work.

Do you agree or disagree? What are some of your tips for relaxing & detoxing? I would love to hear your tips!

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15 Responses to “De-Stress and Detox”

Member

harmonyeee (message) 688 posts, Busy bee

ive added massages to my life. i really think they do wonders for de-stressing, allowing your body to release toxins, and just making you feel good.

i could never afford to visit a spa frequently, but ive found massage schools in my area that offer hour long massages by senior-level students for about half the cost of a regular spa. i try to get one 4 times per year. you have to drink LOTS of water afterwards to flush your body of all the released toxins, or else you can get sore and cranky =/

maybe massage would help you deal with your work-related stress?

4/30/09 @ 11:29 am (reply)

Hostess

Mrs. DG (message) 8,491 posts, Bee Keeper

Great post. I’m still in the process of learning to manage my highly internalized stress. I do think animals are the best medicine. I’m also a huge fan of yoga… not so much for in the moment (when I’m just struggling to stay balanced and in the position) but afterwards when I feel so peaceful.

4/30/09 @ 11:34 am (reply)

Member

DEGirl (message) 61 posts, Worker bee

Hi Mrs. Caramel! I just wanted to mention that you should be careful of your gatorade intake. It’s full of electrolytes. Electrolytes = salt. Perfect for after an intense 1 hour + workout. Not perfect for any other time. High salt intake is not good for your body and can add to hypertension (high blood pressure) which you would think we wouldn’t have to worry about at our age, but we do!

4/30/09 @ 12:05 pm (reply)

Member

lobstergirl (message) 260 posts, Helper bee

running!! I know the first few times hurts and you can’t think about anything other than the fact that you are out of breath, but once you get in the habit, it is a huge source of stress relief, and you feel great about yourself afterwards. Note I am not talking about running on a gym with a tv and earphones in. I am talking running sans electrical equipment. Not everyone is lucky enough to live near nice nature scapes. but if you can easily get to a creek or a trail that takes you out of the hustle and bustle of cars it is awesome. It is just you, the pavement, and quiet solitude with your thoughts. Don’t run for speed, just jog, and think if you want to. organize your day, your life, a conversation, whatever. Trust me, it works!!! For those that can’t run, I am sure walking presents the same rewards

4/30/09 @ 12:12 pm (reply)

Member

TicaChica (message) 99 posts, Worker bee

I too feel that way too it happens to the best of us, but you are taking control which is wonderful. Watch out for the gatorade though it is full of SUGAR I don’t think that will help your stress. Try Chamomile tea at night instead and stick with water throughout the day.

4/30/09 @ 12:36 pm (reply)

Member

TicaChica (message) 99 posts, Worker bee

From WikiAnswers:

water, sugar, table salt, carbohydrates, electrolytes (110 mg sodium, 30 mg potassium, 93 mg chloride), high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, glucose, fructose, and sugar.

Gatorade was designed to keep athletes hydrated during competition. The “unique blend of fluid, electrolytes, and carbohydrates” creates a drink that hydrates better than water during times of active workouts.Because of the amount of carbohydrates in Gatorade, over consumption can cause obesity.

4/30/09 @ 12:38 pm (reply)

Hostess

MightySapphire (message) 7,632 posts, Bee Keeper

Gatorade is actually good for people who are overstressed, since they are taxing their bodies systems.

4/30/09 @ 1:09 pm (reply)

Hostess

Lillindy (message) 7,974 posts, Bee Keeper

I sound just like you, aching shoulders, constant clenched jaw, and and stomach problems! I was also going to mention the same thing about the gatorade and how much sugar it has, so I would check that out if I were you. I don’t really have good ways to reduce stress, obviously, but I’ll be reading to see what else is suggested.

4/30/09 @ 1:20 pm (reply)

Hostess

MightySapphire (message) 7,632 posts, Bee Keeper

I like your idea of volunteering at an animal shelter, how cool!! Something else that I’ve started to do is get my head straight about what really matters. Pretend you’re on a plane that is about to crash. You are about to die. What do you think about? What is important? What do you wish you could have done? Who do you want to talk to? Play this scenario out every day. Take 10 minutes to think about what you value in life. I found out that a lot of things I was STRESSING about, aren’t really important to me when I thought about it. And now I don’t stress about them anymore. I let A LOT more slide off my back.

Another way that I de-stress is to imagine my life timeline (visualize it!). Think of all the important things on that timeline. Your birth. The time you broke your arm. Getting your period. Your engagement. Your wedding. Are all the little details on that timeline? Are your SAT scores on there? That test you failed in high school? The spot on your wedding dress? What is on that timeline? When you begin to get upset about something, think of that timeline and whether that incident will be on it. If not, it’s not worth too much worry. Limit how much you will invest emotionally to that issue, then move on!

4/30/09 @ 1:25 pm (reply)

10.

Member

Gilneas (message) 1,393 posts, Bumble bee

Wow - that truth about stress thing - so incredibly true (mostly because I’m having an AWFUL week at my day job - that really puts it in perspective.

My fiance and I adopted two kitties at the end of January, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much they’ve helped my depression and dealing with stress. Coming home to them every night is the best stress reliever I’ve ever found. I think that perhaps volunteering at an animal shelter will not only make you feel good (’cause you’re helping out!), but hanging out with animals can help SO much.

4/30/09 @ 1:40 pm (reply)

11.

Guest

Beth

I can’t recommend exercise highly enough. Any exercise will do. Just get your blood moving!
I have had digestive issues due to stress for years and they have all but disappeared now that I’m exercising regularly.

4/30/09 @ 1:42 pm (reply)

12.

Member

LovestheBear (message) 1,250 posts, Bumble bee

I am the same way with stress. Exercise helps. I try to get at least 20 minuntes of cardio, 4 days a week.

4/30/09 @ 1:44 pm (reply)

13.

Member

xLailax (message) 414 posts, Helper bee

I agree with the article excerpt you posted. I tend to get riled up and antsy about work because I allow myself to. I’m going to try out some of the things you mentioned you’re doing to battle stress. I like the idea of taking my time to get to point B and getting there a few minutes early. Please post in a few weeks about how it’s going for you? Wish you the best!

4/30/09 @ 3:28 pm (reply)

14.

Member

West Coast Bride (message) 708 posts, Busy bee

Totally agree girl! It was like a big black cloud was lifted when I made the workplace changes that I needed to. A lot of healthier, stress-management habits followed suit naturally, once I didn’t feel so down on myself, anxious and inadequate. I feel for ya!

4/30/09 @ 4:05 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Mrs. Caramel (message) 202 posts, Helper bee

Thanks everyone!! I would love to exercise more, but now I’m standing on my feet 8 hours a day, serving cupcakes or doing hair/makeup! I wish there was something other than running I can do to exercise… I’m usually wiped when I get home! I guess I’ll keep thinking!!