Stress Management

I'm a creature of habit, what can I say?

Here I am again:

And this is what I had for dinner:

Look familiar?  Yeah, I know.  The bottom roll was a Tex Mex Roll (shrimp + jalapeno tempura with veggies & yumminess) and the top one was a Rainbow Roll.  Oh lil fishies, you are some heavenly goodness.

My plane was delayed last night (again) and then I had to drive across the state of VA (ok, just Northern VA)...(again).  I fell face-first onto the bed at 2:00 A.M. and had to get up early for a meeting.  I am so done with this traveling for work thing.  Three more days and my happy butt is on a plane back home.

The first couple of weeks I traveled back and forth, it was somewhat exciting.  It was nice to work with my ole gang again, and be in the middle of the action again, and have a crap ton lot of things going on all at once.  Then I remembered why I wanted to move away in the first place.  I'm just over it already.  So, the weekend leading up to yesterday's travel became increasingly stressful.  And as I sat on the plane last night I thought about how far my stress management has come.

I've tried many stress-management tips from many sources, and these are my golden ones. 

* Limit caffeine 
Some people are way more susceptible to caffeine than others, but it is a drug that affects us all.  That's why Starbucks is so popular.  That's why I would choose a good cup of coffee over a good meal any day.  However, caffeine in any form can do a number on your body if you are already anxious or nervous.  I learned (through trial and error a few years ago) that I am much calmer in general, and throughout the work day especially, when I limit my caffeine.  I have one cup of coffee in the morning (and it is a true cup (6-8 oz), not the jumbo size I used to buy at Dunkin' Donuts) and no other caffeine at all throughout the day.  No sodas, no tea, no more coffee.  My anxiety may not completely disappear, but it fades into the background a heck of a lot easier without a stimulant coursing through my veins.

P.S. Limiting sugar has the same effect.  And is also good for the waistline.

* Exercise
It releases endorphins that make you feel good.  Or at least feel better.  Nine times out of ten I work out for the mental benefits rather than the physical, although those are great, too.  They'd be even better if I hadn't just eaten two cookies but that's only adding to my stress, not managing it, so let me get back on point.

Exercise is also a good way to re-establish your mind/body connection.  I realize how crunchy that sounds, but it's true.  It's very hard for your mind to gnaw away on an issue when you're running at top speed and feel like you're going to throw up.  Or when you're concentrating on breathing during yoga, or trying not to get punched in the face in a martial arts class.  You get it.  The exhilaration causes your mind to focus on the immediate action, and consequently the anxiety has to take a back seat.  Also, exercise reminds you of what you can do, rather than all those stresses in your mind telling you what you can't do.  There are some nights when I get home and crash on the couch, defeated.  And then I remember that, heck, if nothing else, I walked 5 miles today...

*Breathe
A lot.  Very deeply and very slowly.  Until your lungs feel like they can't expand anymore.  Breathe from your abdomen, not your chest.  Inhale and hold it.  Exhale and breathe normally, then repeat.  A few deep breaths can calm me down as much as a glass of wine.  And oxygen doesn't have any calories!  Now if only they would export some to Denver...

So, I combined these three tips yesterday when I knew I was likely to stress out:

I made myself a 6-oz cup of coffee in the Keurig and didn't even drink the whole thing.  I could drink my weight in coffee, people.  Restricting my daily amount is pure discipline but let me tell you: it is foolproof.  This one tip works without fail.

Then I ran on the treadmill.  I purposefully worked myself very hard because (1) I wanted those endorphins, (2) I wanted the physical challenge to distract my mind from the mental challenges, and (3) I wanted to wear myself out so even if I got nervous on the plane, my body wouldn't have much energy left to use for worrying. 

And when the plane took off (and landed), I breathed and breathed and breathed.  The thing is, I wasn't even nervous but I did it anyway because it has become a habit.  I do it when I get a stressful phone call, or deal with a mean person.  I realized a couple of years ago how little I actually breathed in difficult times - my body clamped up and my lungs shut down.  Just remembering to open them up again has been huge.  And taking the time to breathe gives me time to think and consider things rather than feeling immediate pressure to respond to whatever that stressful situation is.

None of these are new or even that interesting.  But they work.  Prayer works too, but that's a post for another day.  Good luck de-stressing.

:)