Stress Reduction Techniques
We all have moments in time when we’re faced with a little bit (or a lot) of stress. It might be over our bills, the in-laws coming to visit, or whether or not to have Thai or Tapas for dinner. Regardless of what hits your stress button, it’s important to recognize when you’re stressed and what you can do to alleviate it.
According to MedicineNet.com, stress is simply forces of nature impacting us on an individual level. Those forces could be internal or external. External factors are our jobs, relationships, home life, etc. Internal factors are the way we deal with stress including our overall health and fitness.
When faced with a stressful situation, we have to realize two things:
- That we are experiencing stress
- The best way for us to handle stress
Here’s an example of why these are important: if you’re a person who gravitates toward comfort foods when you’re stressed, you want to know that so you can make sure you manage your food choices well during stressful situations.
While it’s tempting to just say ‘drink more wine‘ or ‘get a massage’, stress is a bit more complex than that. I’m all for a great glass of wine and a massage (and if you can manage both at the same time…I say go for it) but you can’t always leave what you’re doing for such distractions.
So, I’d like to leave you with my own personal stress relief tip. Works every time. Ready?
The next time you’re stressed, grab an assorted handful of Jelly Belly jellybeans. (NOTE: this only works with Jelly Belly brand). Close the door. Put a few JBs on your desk. Now close your eyes and eat one. Try to guess the flavor. (That’s why it only works with Jelly Belly brand.) Repeat about 5 times.
By the time you finish the fifth one, you’ll be so completely engrossed in this taste bud exercise that you’ll have forgotten about your stress. (Disclaimer: stress relief by use of jellybeans has not been endorsed by the Surgeon General, has not been proven to offer long-term therapeutic properties, and may not be appropriate for all stress-related situations.)
That being said, Jelly Belly therapy is a pretty effective way to help put those nagging annoyances behind you so you can get on with the rest of your day.
And, before you say I’m crazy…try it. It really works!
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