I have a job that I like very much but is crazy crazy stressful at times. The short version: my whole job is about talking with and visiting people, and then talking to other people about the visits and talks we had. Then I talk to the people I visit about the people I talked to them about. Then I have to write notes and reports about my talks and visits. Now, a good percentage of the people I talk to are lovely. But given that my job is talking and listening to people I have it on good authority that people are CRAZY. Which leads us to today’s blog about relieving stress.
My punching bag.
At the moment I’m trying to get back into using my punching bag a minimum of 15 minutes a day (or 14, or 10 or 5). If someone drives you crazy about something dumb, I find that punching and kicking a bag is generally a better option than that person. About 10 minutes is usually is enough to make you realize how preposturous it was that you were angry in the first place. I got mine on craigslist, but kickboxing classes are also fun. Just check to ensure they have bags and you’re not just punching the air (not as satisfying). Added bonus: good workout.
Dog and Bunny
The new way I am dealing with people being nuts is practicing my more difficult conversations with Dog and Bunny. Dog and Bunny listen calmly when I reason with them. Reasoning with them in a funny voice also tends to be a great stress reliever. When people call and yell at me on the phone, sometimes I can pretend that bunny is yelling instead. And that is adorable.
I highly recommend this. It has some obvious pros in that it takes much less space than a punching bag and you can keep stuffed animals in your office (depending on where you work). This has the obvious con that people will think you are crazy if you tell them about it. In my professional opinion the therapeutic and comedic benefits of this are so great that you should ignore them. Or keep your office door shut.
When all else fails come home and watch some Degrassi-ridiculousness….
Obviously you can engage in more traditional stress relief like journaling, making a stress ball out of a balloon, playing with your many guitars, watching 90210, crafting, etc.