Stress

My office is knee deep in research materials, various stages of various projects, books I want to read, books other people want me to read, and junk I need to do.

As I've said before, I don't think I'm the Lone Ranger. I'm guessing lots of you looked around your office and said, "Amen sister," when I mentioned that my office is knee-deep in stuff. Most of you probably said, "Uh, huh," when I also mentioned that half the stuff in here isn't my doing. It's other people's stuff.

I'm not annoyed by having to do other people's stuff, as much as I dislike the fact that I have no control over what other people give me to do.

And THAT'S where I think the stress comes in. It's the lack of control.

So, okay. I'm thinking that's not going to change. Which means I have to change. Sure, I've made that promise before, but this time I mean it.

Really.

Seriously.

Okay, stop laughing.

Knowing I would need some help with this effort I googled stress relief. I actually found a really cool site.

http://helpguide.org/mental/stress_relief_meditation_yoga_relaxation.htm

They don't say ridiculous things like organize your life. I've finally realized I can't organize my life when so many people seem to have a say in it. Instead, helpguide.org suggests I try deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques. In a world where file folders and books are positioned to eat my feet, a little deep breathing actually goes a long way.

But more than that, I know the benefits of deep breaths. Good for oxygen. (Obviously) Which is good for your body. And it costs me nothing. And I don't look silly doing it. Even in the checkout at the Walmart, I can breathe deeply when the person behind me runs over my foot with her cart.

But I digress.

Continuing on my quest to conquer stress, I went here: http://www.quotegarden.com/stress.html

Nothing like a good quote to calm you right down. Or make you laugh. Some of these made me laugh.

The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on. ~Elbert Hubbard

That's certainly food for thought!


There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them. ~Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

True enough!


I really like this one...

Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness. ~Richard Carlson

Men for the sake of getting a living forget to live. ~Margaret Fuller

Ah. That one will make you stop and think!

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. ~Ovid

I actually prove this one out every day. Things I write when I'm tired are not what anyone would consider bountiful!

For fast-acting relief, try slowing down. ~Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin! One of the greats of our time.

But here's my favorite...

No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it. ~Harry Emerson Fosdick

Go to the site with the deep breathing techniques and muscle relaxing techniques. Draw a bath. Make Thursday night stress relief night!

susan