<p>I would recommend hot yoga. It is truly for all levels and the victory is in making it through the 90 minute class. Sunstone is a great studio and has locations all over your area. I got talked into trying it when I lived there and expected to hate it (or die) and I found it to be one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself both physically and mentally. Look up the Sunstone site before you sit there (like I did ) and say “NO WAY”.</p>
<p>MOWC, LOL. We are SO different when it comes to physical endeavors. I can barely bring myself to exercise at all due to hot flashes. If I went to a hot yoga class, I fear that you’d all read about me in the paper after I flipped out in some very dramatic way.</p>
<p>But because I know that you are VERY fit, does all that exercise help? When you’re at work and under unusual stress (we both know that every day has stressors that we’ve learned to handle), do you think all the exercise you get prevents you from melting down?</p>
<p>I DO think it helps, but remember, I have managed to turn my exercise (competitive running) into another HUGE source of stress. I have mileage goals, time goals, the stupid streak of running days, weather issues… </p>
<p>Some of my tricks when under stress are are (1) repeat to myself “this is finite. It doesn’t go on forever” and (2) what is the worst case scenario?</p>
<p>For a quicky relaxer you can do at work, figure out where the pressure points on your feet are. Then,</p>
<p>Sit down, take off your shoes, close your eyes and give your self a one minute foot massage concentrating on those points. It sounds funny, but it can really help in a very short time.</p>
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<p>I hear ya. I used to hang around with some lawyers who were in to scuba diving. Each person’s stated “dream” was always to open a dive shop in their favorite tropical location. But I always told them that given their personality type, it would not be relaxing…they would have to have the best dive shop, with the* most *products, and the longest hours.</p>
<p>Y’all are giving me some very fun suggestions. I do have the benefit of a large office…I can see it now…I can install a mini-labrynth, a coloring station, a treadmill, a place for the foot massages…I’ll have to wait until after the summer associates leave.</p>
<p>To go along with the idea of coloring, what really helps me de-stress is drawing. I use regular felt-tip pens or whatever is available, but rather than just doodle, like I used to, I actually come up with a theme, a little story - you can really get lost in it, and it’s a great stress relief.</p>
<p>If you are willing to invest some time I recommend reading Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book “Full Catastrophe Living”. He founded the Stress Reducion Program at UMass Medical School. The program requires commitment but the results can be life changing.</p>
<p>Dartboard. :)</p>
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<p>Just ordered it! If anyone read my family lakehouse “hostage vacation” thread (I can’t take credit for that terrific phrase), I also just ordered “Saving the Family Cottage.” And Wolf Hall, for good measure.</p>
<p>Google guided meditation - and you’ll find many you tube links that you can follow. Find one you like, for the right amount of time - that doesnt feel silly. It can be a great 10 minute break in the day.</p>
<p>I was having borderline high blood pressure, and found i could do 60 seconds of deep slow breathing and have pressure come down from 140 to 125.</p>
<p>I also like koosh balls to throw at walls. Or colleagues.</p>
<p>[Breathing:</a> Three Exercises - Dr. Weil](<a href=“http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00521/three-breathing-exercises.html]Breathing:”>Breathing Exercises: Three To Try | 4-7-8 Breath | Andrew Weil, M.D.)</p>
<p>This link has several good breathing exercises.</p>
<p>He has a bunch of books - his most recent “Spontaneous Happiness” is a thorough summary of holistic practices.</p>
<p>I don’t believe he is one of the alternative docs who have been discredited. I’ve been following him for years.</p>
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<p>Actually, this. Years ago we had a dartboard in the office, and one of my co-workers actually had a homemade blowgun.</p>
<p>Great for stress and great for a few laughs, especially when we put certain people’s faces on the dartboard.</p>
<p>Google:</p>
<p>Zen tangles
Zen doodle</p>
<p>It is a method of focused doodling which teaches you something like 30 different doodle patterns, and then teaches you how to combine them into small graphic pieces of art.</p>
<p>I took a class about this with a friend, but really, a class isn’t necessary, there are a lot of videos and photos available on the Internet. No wrong way to do this, no big amount of time required, no investment in tools or equipment. Although they’ll tell you you need a certain kind of paper stock and a certain kind of pen, you really don’t need anything other than a pen or pencil and some paper. The patterns they teach are just enough to get you to consider other ways of thinking of doodling. </p>
<p>Great way to decompress for a few minutes. NO ART SKILL IS NEEDED!</p>
<p>I also agree with previous posters that a great way of gaining some feeling of peace and Zen in my own life is to walk, outside, in all kinds of weather, early in the morning, or in the evening, or at noon, or whenever. Walking in a mall is ok during extreme weather events.</p>
<p>Requires: </p>
<p>Absolutely NO hand held devices of any kind.
Comfortable shoes.
Umbrella/jacket/gloves … As needed</p>
<p>The point is to allow yourself to live in the moment, while moving forward. Thus, the no hand held devices. No music, no books on tape, no checking texts or email, no phone calls. Just breathe, and walk, and look around. If you walk with a friend talking is terrific, although walking with the silence of your own thoughts is also nice.</p>
<p>So many great ideas. I’d like to add a few more to the list.</p>
<p>Jigsaw puzzles
Knitting or crochet
Spinning fiber (very relaxing once you have the hang of it)
Playing a musical instrument
Making friendship bracelets</p>
<p>Missypie, if you tend to stay at your desk and work through lunch, change that. Get out of the building and go for a walk.</p>
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<p>Yes, I do need to stop staying at my desk through lunch.</p>
<p>^^ And breaks! You MUST take breaks!</p>
<p>I like clary sage rubbed on my wrist that I sniff when stressed, but you might find that another oil works better.
[Aura</a> Cacia Clary Sage Essential Oil](<a href=“http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/eo_clarysageessentialoil.html]Aura”>http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/eo_clarysageessentialoil.html)</p>