Ways To Beat Stress In 2006
13 Nov 2005
Voltaire was right when he wrote, "Most people live lives of quiet desperation". As we enter another year, desperation seems to be getting worse. Escalating violence in Iraq, concern about our economy worry us and headlines warn us of the dangers of prescription drugs. So here’s eight non-prescription ways to help you relax in 2006.
One
Massage cures more stress and sore muscles than a cartload of pills. This message has not been lost on industry where anything to help the bottom-line becomes top priority. Some companies are now using massage as a form of stress management to decrease fatigue, headache and back strain in their employees. This results in greater employee retention and job satisfaction. Remember that athletes and boxers don’t get rub-downs just for show business. Muscle activity burns glycogen which in turn produces lactic and carbonic acid. Massage helps to remove these toxic products of metabolism.
Two
Joseph Stalin, one of the worst despots of all time, at least gave good advice when he remarked, "One has to live with the devil until you reach the end of the bridge". You have to learn to separate the possible from the impossible. Every week in my office I see emotional problems that a trainload of psychiatrists couldn’t cure. If you have an idiotic boss who should never have been promoted there’s usually no way to tell him or her to go to hell unless you win the lottery. And if your partner has run off with your best friend only time will heal the psychological trauma. So play for time rather than trying to solve an unsolvable problem.
Three
A study at The Harvard Medical School showed that students who meditated for 15 minutes a day or played solitaire, knitted, read a book or engaged in aerobic exercise inoculated themselves against modern day anxieties more than students who failed to take the time for distraction.
Four
Laughter is a great way to decrease stress. Years ago Norman Cousins, editor of The Saturday Review, was stricken with a crippling illness that involved his joints. He decided to treat himself with laughter and day after day watched humourous movies. Eventually his health was restored and for years after he taught the value of laughter at The University of California Medical School. It’s been aptly said that if it were not for laughs we might be sicker than we are. And no one to my knowledge has ever died from laughter.
Five
Remember that life without stress is death. The late Hans Selye, President of The International Institute of Stress, cautioned patients that since tension cannot be totally escaped they should attempt to keep it within normal limits. And to realize the threshold has been passed and to see medical help if you experience palpitations, headaches and insomnia. His message is to practice "pace, not race".
Six
Learn to live with less. It’s conceivable that life would still go on without the latest electronic gadget. Saving for a rainy day saves a lot of stress.
Seven
Don’t forget the psychological and physiological benefits of sex. It’s one of the best tranquillizers available. After all, who doesn’t sleep like a baby after sex? And since we all worry about getting older here’s more good news. Dr. David Weeks, a neuropsychologist at Scotland’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital studied 3,500 people ranging in age from 18 to 102. He concluded that frequent sex slows the aging process and even if he’s wrong what do you have to lose!
Eight
Tense patients look surprised when I say to them, "Take a train ride. It’s a great way to relax". This past Christmas, rather than face the turmoil of airports, my wife and I boarded Via Rail for Montreal and savoured the delights of Old Montreal. Another short Via Rail trip took us to historic Chateau Frontenac hotel in Quebec City. We walked the ramparts of the citadel, enjoyed the ambiance of this great city and practiced what I preach, that wine increases good cholesterol. Another time we rode the rails across Canada. It provides ample time to read books and relax. Try it. You might like it.
