Focused on Health
Our Publications

Keep up with the latest in cancer treatment, research, education and prevention.

Subscribe

Management and Stress: Tips from Real People

Focused on Health - August 2010

by Laura Nathan-Garner

We get stressed for dozens of reasons. But as we learned from chatting with friends from around the Web, and our Facebook and Twitter followers, there are dozens of ways to unwind. (Thank goodness!)

Below, we share some of their creative strategies for de-stressing.

We want to know: How do you unwind? Join the conversation on our Facebook page.

Highlights

Running clubs
I run with a running club — a group of women [who] run early every Sunday morning, year round, no matter what the season. Our runs are MY therapy. I get the health benefits of the distance running and the emotional benefits from running with a “pack.”
—Mary L.
Cleaning the clutter
I can't believe I am saying this, but I clean house. Of course, sometimes cleaning is not an option and a nap does wonders.
—Lynda H.
Lavender baths
I take a 30-45 minute lavender bath.
—Angela M.
Stretching
When I find myself overwhelmed, I stop EVERYTHING, do a forward bend for a few minutes, and then stand up and say, “For the next few hours, I'm going to do only one thing at a time, and do that one thing very, very well.”
—Jacqueline E.
Serene pictures
I have a small office with no windows. To reduce stress at work, I have taken pictures of the great outdoors and the ocean, and put them all over my tiny office space walls.
—Michael C.
Friends
I reduce stress with yoga, time with friends, or read a book to take me to another place.
—@HealthNut08
Music
I watch short segments of “Mama Mia” when I’ve had a stressful day. It’s impossible to stay stressed out listening to “Dancing Queen” or “If You Change Your Mind.” The music is infectious. I want to get up and sing and dance around for hours.
— Christy M.
Pilates
I started doing pilates recently, and I found it also reduces your stress level. Very relaxing and invigorating at the same time.
—Nancy R.
Golf
I hit golf balls at a driving range. It requires extreme focus, it's quiet, and it’s me against me. Every shot I make, I think of it as a problem in my life. I set up for my shot, I look at something that needs improvement, look at the best possible way to fix it, and swing.
—Blake T.
Reading
I read.
—Sherry Z.
Laugh
I take a bubble bath and watch a funny show. There's no better medicine than a nice bath and some laughter after a stressful day.
—Connie R.