Things To Do Which Are Great Stress Relievers

By DB
@dgobucks226 (34421)
October 21, 2019 3:45pm CST
Stress hormones can really affect your body in a bad way. Here are some activities you may not look forward to doing but are actually terrific for managing stress. -WASHING THE DISHES: according to some studies standing at the sink cleaning the dishes can act as a form of "zoning out." Reduces your negativity while providing a positive affect? Worth a try... -DECLUTTERING YOUR HOUSE: seems that straightening up a messy home decreases your level of cortisol, a stress hormone in your body. So tidy up! -EXERCISING IN A GROUP: working out in a group is more effective in relieving stress than exercising alone. -SNIFFING LAUNDRY: actually your partner's laundry like their shirt. I would avoid the socks though, -REFLECTING ON YOUR PAST FAILURES: surprising? I would think it would increase stress? Maybe dwelling on the past makes you better prepared to face a current situation better? -SINGING IN FRONT OF PEOPLE: yes, singing in a group like a choir or caroling even if you sing off key apparently reduces stress. It also seems to reduce blood pressure and heart rate too. I wonder how much truth there is to these de-stressors? Maybe you already do some of these activities and find them helpful. What do you think? Source- mental floss Photo- today.com
12 people like this
12 responses
@just4him (307251)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Oct 19
I don't think those first two would be good stress relievers. The conversations going on in my head while doing each don't relieve stress. It probably increases my anger at the situation. Reflecting on past failures - I don't think so, that would be too depressing. The others, maybe. My stress reliever is writing. It's the only thing that works.
2 people like this
@just4him (307251)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
25 Oct 19
@dgobucks226 I'm too sensitive, so when I'm angry and stressed because of it, all the conversations go on in my head. I also find that the house gets a massive overhaul when I'm angry. It's totally clean in no time. There was a time when my anger, my apartment, and my tongue lashed out at the person for whom I was angry. My neighbor told me she was proud of me for sticking up for myself at the time. My apartment was spotless and my anger was gone.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
Ah, we have a different perspective on the first two. I guess I disagree. For me organizing the house puts my focus away from anything that is troubling me (for a time) as I place all my attention on the tasks at hand. Of course, those stressors will return but the temporary relief can be helpful to not let stress fester and intensify. I did find reflecting on past mistakes an odd way to relieve stress too? I also enjoy writing to relieve stress and also making lists of things to accomplish.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
26 Oct 19
@just4him I understand, projecting that anger on cleaning your home actually turned a negative into a positive result ( a clean apartment) Just curious, have you found overtime you've gained more control and have more control over lashing out a people? Sometimes I find it hard to do myself.
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@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
21 Oct 19
Nature, photography, my cats, and my screenroom.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
Nice list of stress relieving hobbies Carol I think pets are great stress relievers..
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@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
24 Oct 19
@dgobucks226 Thanks, I agree.
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@jstory07 (134679)
• Roseburg, Oregon
21 Oct 19
I like washing dishes by hand rather than using a dishwasher.
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@jstory07 (134679)
• Roseburg, Oregon
24 Oct 19
@dgobucks226 I sell on ebay. Make bookmarkers and Christmas cards to sell. I draw but I m not that good at drawing.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
@jstory07 Making a little extra income and creating something is both rewarding and relaxing. I sell stuff on a site called Craigs List
@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
I do both. That's how it was done before dishwashers were invented What do you do to relax?
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@amadeo (111948)
• United States
21 Oct 19
I do not mind washing dishes no big deal.I was a busy boy working in my earlier years and teens.No big deal for me. Most do not want to get their hands poor baby.Most have dishwasher.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
I don't like to wash cutting knives in the dishwasher. It sometimes fades the wood handles.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
22 Oct 19
I agree that some of those things would reduce stress but as for singing it might well reduce my stress but drastically increase others. When my wife sings it increases my stress levels for certain! The harp has been shown to reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure!
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
I'd go along with the singing part for sure. It always makes me feel good but others probably wish they had some ear plugs handy Interesting comment about the harp. I suppose playing an instrument would be soothing.
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@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
24 Oct 19
@dgobucks226 Yes indeed! It is always nice to create or recreate music!
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
26 Oct 19
@Hannihar (129553)
• Israel
29 Oct 19
@dgobucks226 The first two I have done or do do already. I exercise but not in a group. I do not sniff my laundry or sing in front of people. I do not feel stress free of decluttering or doing dishes. I feel lighter when I do decluttering.
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@Hannihar (129553)
• Israel
30 Oct 19
@dgobucks226 I am not sure if when I exercise it relieves stress but I do it to try and keep off the weight and to lose more.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
29 Oct 19
I sing aloud sometimes but never tried sniffing my laundry, lol. Exercise is a great way to relive stress!
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@ano460 (649)
• United States
22 Oct 19
exercise is OK and there are some herds that reliefs street automatically.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Oct 19
I think these are good suggestions.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
Yes I think so too. I find doing chores takes my mind of stress.
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@marlina (154165)
• Canada
5 Nov 19
My best de-stressors were walking and gardening.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
6 Nov 19
Those are good ones. I also do both of them and find both extremely gratifying
@JudyEv (326170)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Oct 19
I don't think singing in front of people would reduce my stress but who knows? Maybe it would. If I did, it might increase their stress.
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@JudyEv (326170)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Oct 19
@dgobucks226 Any time I'm in country or bush areas, I feel relaxed. I don't like towns or cities much.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
No Karaoke for you How about Holiday caroling? You would blend in better there. Singing always makes me feel good but others probably wish they had some ear plugs handy What do you find relaxing?
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@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Oct 19
I see all those things as increasing my stress or having no effect! Let's stick to playing tunes!
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
Well, I definitely agree about the tunes In my view, for me I find some value in some of the suggestions mentioned in this article by "Mental Floss."
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@dya80dya (33655)
21 Oct 19
Really? Washing the dishes? I don't think this is relaxing.
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@dgobucks226 (34421)
24 Oct 19
I see your point doing dishes does not seem like much fun. I'm of the opinion that doing chores keeps you occupied so your not thinking of the things that are troubling you or stressing you out. What do you do to relax?