Restlessness, Crying, Boredom, Aggression, Can't concentrate, Inability to sleep, Illness , Headaches, Stomach upset, Diarrhea, Tapping of fingers, Sleep or go to bed to escape, Nervous habits such as tapping your fingers or jiggling you feet, Misuse of drugs and or alcohol and more, are all part of a list of symptoms. Well, that is all well and good but now what do I do about it? The following are great interventions and it may mean doing one or more of them and doing them for more than a day, week or even a year. My top favorite is self talk, positive affirmations- " I am ok and where I need to be at this time and place."
Laughter, yes and belly laughs are even better. Try to find humor in places you never thought to laugh at before. Another red light, how silly is that- wonder what the odds are of hitting three red lights in a row(in Meadville- the percentages are very high!).
I no longer practice saying "NO", I can do it quite readily as if I don't know my limits-who will? Do the things you enjoy and find hobbies you like and not something that will further stress you out. Look to ways to build your strength and endurance, walking is an awesome way to blow off steam and do that for you as well as get you outside and focused on other things than yourself. I also think that warm baths, foot rubs, or even massage and yoga and stretching and deep breathing and of course, meditation/ prayer are high on my list of coping mechanisms. Now, I do have to admit I am not so great at this next one. I am not exceptionally good at giving away some of my tasks and problems or to stop worrying as that is like breathing to me. I do think that women stress more than men though and I am at the top of that list. The final aspect I want you to think about is, what did you worry about a year ago? How important is that to you now? Was there or is there anything you could actually do about it? I actually had to stop and think about what was stressing me last year and I wasn't quite sure what it was exactly. That certainly makes me stop and rethink what I do to myself and my stress. My finally tidbit is- to MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!. The ball is in your court and how to tackle the day and all it has in it is up to you. Wishing a great day and hoping that you take the time out you need for yourself and learn to laugh and enjoy today. S
DISCLAIMER: the views of this article are mine alone and not reflected on any institution, medical or