TheWorldJournal.com

Stressed Out?
By Gauri Nawathe, TheWorldJournal.com

I don't need to discuss how stress is a part of our life. We all know it. But do you know how bad stress can be for you?

Stress causes loss of memory and lessens our ability to learn new things. A new study reveals that people may have similar trouble remembering new information or activities learnt before or during the stress period. Stress affects the electrical activity in the hippocampus (the part of the brain that stores information) and makes it hard to remember things. Stress also reduces the capacity to learn new things, so that people take longer to learn than they did in unstressed conditions.

Besides, stress is bad for our physical health too. It can cause many problems ranging from hair fall to loss of appetite and weight loss.

So now that you know how bad stress can be for you, let me let you in some secrets about tackling stress.

1. Meditation - It is one of the best methods to relieve the body of both mental and physical stress. It is probably the most easiest too. So here is how to go about with it.

Sit cross - legged. Close your eyes. Breathe through your nose, softly. Try and release all the thoughts from your mind. It takes time, but it is quite possible. Otherwise, think of all the good things you have experienced. Maybe, think about the pleasant vacation you spent with your family or visualize the beautiful flower that bloomed in your garden. Or maybe you can think about God and say a prayer or two in your mind. But, don't think of too many things at a time or something negative. Continue meditating for at least five minutes.

2. Walking - Walking is a very good exercise, not only for your body but also for your mind. Take a walk early in the morning or in the evening, in an area with lots of trees and fresh air. Ask your spouse or friend or whoever you are close to, to accompany you. If you like solitude, you might go out alone. But warn yourself not to think of your problems when you are going out for a walk. Exercising can also help you take off your mind from problems, thus relieving stress.

3. Hobbies - If you find yourself a prey to stress, immediately inculcate a hobby or develop your old ones. Hobbies too, believe it or not, can help you to relieve you of stress. Indulging in a hobby refreshes your tired mind and fills you with happiness. Doing something creative makes you feel a sense of achievement. Thus, hobbies fill you with all good thoughts, which take off all the stress from your mind. In fact, feeling good will always keep you tension and stress free. Dancing, reading, singing, gardening, carpentry, painting, writing, studying, playing some sports are some of the hobbies that are always good for you.

4. Writing down your thoughts - Here is a wonderful method of relieving stress I read about in a book. Just write down your tensions and problems on a sheet of paper. Then take another sheet of paper and write down the all the joys in your life, how much ever little or insignificant they are. For example, playing with your pet or eating ice creams. You shall notice that you joys far outnumber your sorrows. Also, maintain a diary. Once you have some inlet to let your thoughts in, you shall be a stronger and a happier person.

5. Speaking - When you have any problems, learn to talk about it to your friends or relatives. Maybe you might get the solution to your problem or you might just feel better. So, open up and speak.

6. Laughter, the best medicine - Laughter, as you must be aware, is one of the best multi-purpose medicines we have today. And it doesn't take much to laugh. Join a laughter club, or better still make laughter a part of your life. Just as you need to have three meals a day, make sure you get your daily dose of laughter. Read jokes and funny stories or keep company of humorous people! I would like to share a little technique I read about. Look at yourself in the mirror and…laugh. Soon you will find yourself roaring with laughter. Try it. It is terrific. And an another thing I read yesterday. Write down your sorrows on paper. Read out one, aloud and then say hee…hee. Go on with the list and soon you shall find yourself laughing at your sorrows!

So, if you are stressed out, do try at least one of the techniques I have suggested. They do work, believe me. And if you have been using alcohol or drugs to fight stress, stop at once. They might relieve you for the time being, but some time ahead you might find yourself fighting another enemy - addiction.

© June 11, 2001