This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light.
When I was right out of college and working for the 49ers, my way of handling stress was to lash out at everyone and yell and scream. Good plan, huh? It’s a wonder I kept that job for six years.As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to manage my stress levels better. I realize that no good comes from becoming a stress ball and taking it out on those around me.
Some of the ways I have learned to manage the stress in my life is to be cognizant of it. It would be nice if we could all live stress-free lives, but that is just a fantasy. Stress is part of our everyday lives. So instead of getting so stressed I explode, these days I try to recognize the stress and take a step back and take a deep breath and analyze the situation before reacting.
When I’m at work, I usually get up from my desk and take a walk through the building. Just getting away from the stressful email/project/phone call reminds me to relax and work through the stress.
I also try to exercise when I’m feeling stressed. It gives me something to focus on and gives me the endorphins that make me feel carefree.
Stress tends to affect my sleeping habits. If I have a lot going on, especially at work, I tend to not be able to sleep and spend the night tossing and turning, thinking about all I have to do the next day when I get into the office. I usually wake up tired and cranky and stressed.
On those days, I start my day with Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange. It has 100% of the daily Vitamin C I need, plus antioxidants and is a good source of calcium. It is a perfect way to start the day refreshed and take away the stress from a bad night’s sleep.
So tell me, how do you manage your stress levels?
Let me know by leaving me a comment and you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card that I will be giving away at the end of the month to one lucky winner! (Please be sure to leave an email address in your comment so we can contact you if you win!)
And don’t forget to check out the Blogher.com CLB exclusive offers page for the other six participating blogs for more chances to win!
Click here for my Crystal Light Home Page for a list of all my posts throughout this campaign.
Official Rules
Lately...not well. But usually, I try the exercise thing too.
ReplyDeleteI tell my husband to give me a massage. He is a state licensed therapist, and I paid for a lot of that tuition. It's the least he can do. :)
ReplyDeleteI play piano. Seriously.
ReplyDeletedifferentbird (at) gmail.com
Does crying and eat cookies count? No? I guess I clean. Or more like pick up all the crap that has accumulated on the surfaces of my house and put it where it actually belongs. Having clean horizontal spaces seems to help.
ReplyDeleteThis might sound crazy but sex definitely takes care of extra stress for me... and if not that then exercise followed by a HOT shower usually works :)
ReplyDeleteI try to exercise -but that doesn't always go so well. Otherwise I eat (a lot of junk food). Ideally I would do these in conjunction, but that is not always the case...
ReplyDeleteExercise....although by the looks of me you would think I am the most stress free person in the world right now =-)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, a few miles on the treadmill or eliptical or doing a weight circuit is enough for me to have the negative energy taken away!!! I just began blogging so that may become my new stress reliever!!!!!!
I usually manage stress by bottling it all up until it's too much and I totally freak out. I would not recommend this method.
ReplyDeleteI think writing and list-making help me manage my stress.
I'm a stress cleaner. The day before my maternity leave ended=scrubbing the floors on my hands and knees, dusting the blinds, and making the house sparkle.
ReplyDeleteSometimes also Oreos. Lots of Oreos.
dawnknudtson AT gmail DOT com
I manage stress by taking time out, walking away if I need to, and taking deep breaths.
ReplyDeletemami2jcn at gmail dot com
um. I sit on my ass and watch reality tv and eat cookie dough and drink lots and lots of water.
ReplyDeleteIf that doesn't work, there's this little pill I sometimes take. heh.
I buy a large bag of potatoes, and make voodoo dolls out of all the people responsible for causing my stress. When I am finished stabbing them with pins, I microwave them until they shrivel, then eat them one by one. Of course, eating a 25# bag of potatoes has done wonders for my waistline, so then I get to add that stress of gaining weight and blame it on them cause clearly IT'S ALL THEIR FAULT! Healthy, no? Methinks I could us the giftcard for some retail therapy STAT!
ReplyDeleteI usually bitch about the person/thing/event that has caused the stress. SO 7th grade, but it makes me feel better.
ReplyDeleteLately, I am not managing it well, too much work. But when I can manage it, I like to go for walks or long drives to clear my mind and my spirit.
ReplyDeleteAnd if somehow my car or my feet take me to a spa, well then, I guess I have to let my spirit guide me into a massage ;-)
lifebycassie(at)gmail(dot)com
Somedays I'm not sure I DO manage :-) I clean though. It sounds crazy but if I can get my surroundings in order, it helps clear my brain.
ReplyDeletesamanthajocampen at gmail
I play golf. Seriously. It helps.
ReplyDeletesupermezz1(at)gmail.com
Denial is my method of choice. I vow I'm not stressed while eating my fingernails, any food not actively moving away from me and waking up with the cold sweats.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to come up with some new idea...
I am a stress eater. Doesn't work so well while trying to lose weight. I have tried taking walks lately and that has seemed to work little bit.
ReplyDeleteLinda
lchorba2005 (at) yahoo.com
I'm a list-maker. So much stuff gets to churning around in my head that I start to freak out that I'll never possibly get it all done/remember it. So I write it down, and most of the panic subsides. It's much easier to prioritize, and crossing things off is a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteanimalcracker82 at gmail
Retail therapy always works...even if it's just window shopping.
ReplyDeleteI turn on music that makes me calm and remember happier times, usually female singer/songwriter stuff. Pandora radio literally saved me from freaking out at my desk last week.
ReplyDeleteI also take photos for my 365 project. http://angelplaysfl.blogspot.com
amanda.granner(at)gmail.com
I love staying hydrated with crystal light and I hate stress, Crystal light is wonderful and I think that by staying hydrated you can remain unstressed and I love to stay hydrated using crystal light!
ReplyDeleteOh, in my other comment I forgot my email
ReplyDeleteit is
ajmclay@q.com
or
ajmclay at q.com
I de-stress by listening to some of my favorite music and I usually sing along really loud with it too, that usually gets me calmed down fast. If it happens to be something really stressful, I'll call my husband and vent to him, it's a major stress reliever!
ReplyDeletevsavo520@gmail.com
I go to the Gym to my Body Sculpt class and let the instructor kick my ass for an hour. Then, I go home, shower, and pile down with the cats. Works every time!
ReplyDeleteI handle my stress by being a raging bitch!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't. ( sometimes yes but mostly no)
I honestly just try to keep a positive outlook, keep a good sense of humor about things
And make lots and lots of dirty jokes to lighten the stress levels
I sing.
ReplyDeleteReally, really, loud.
It helps a lot.
My stress levels.. mwahaha. Well, I manage them by stalking my (non cuddly) cat and indulging in some baby talk. Sad, yes. Comforting, also yes.
ReplyDeleteLately I've been heading outside for thirty minutes a day with a favorite coworker and we just sit in the sun (or the shade) and read and chat and sometimes drink coffee. It helps to just get out of the office to clear my head every once in awhile.
ReplyDeleteWhen life gets too stressful I go for a "long run"
ReplyDeletescottorbsmith at gmail dot come
I try to close my eyes for 10 minutes and totally relax my body.
ReplyDeleteI manage my stress by listening to relaxing music or watching something funny on TV or DVD. LPoser1 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI go out and enjoy nature. Garden, walking or just relaxing outside is great for stress.
ReplyDeleteI get a pedicure if possible or take a walk.
ReplyDeleteAlthough these days being pregnant in this heat I just lay around a lot and think relaxing, cool thoughts.
Spending time with my dogs and cats helps zap the stress away. I also like to read books and surf the internet reading the blogs I enjoy. Even though I can't do these things at work, just thinking about being able to do them in a few hours when I leave work helps calm me down somewhat. I don't usually get to take a full lunch hour, but if I'm having a very stressful day, I will be sure to take 20 minutes to either read or walk if it's not too hot outside.
ReplyDeletemfaulk1@gmail.com
Running. If I don't run, I'm no fun. And ironically, as a grad student, I teach a class called "relaxation techniques," so I'm armed with all kinds of good ideas (breathing, imagery, coloring, humor, PMR) that usually aren't implemented in my life. Please don't tell my undergrads.
ReplyDeleteliserickson(at)hotmail(dot)com
Mostly prayer, but also a little chocolate cake. :)
ReplyDeleteembree@galaxycable.net
I read or go running to relieve stress. If I can drown out the world by doing these things, it really seems to help
ReplyDeleteI REALLY REALLY try and keep stessors in perspective. If I can't change it I TRY to let it go.
ReplyDeleteTake a walk and just be alone work well for me.
ReplyDeleteHmph, apparently my previous comment didnt post! I drink the White Tea blueberry with antioxidants to fight the nasties that make everyone sick. I also drink the raspberry green tea for the same reason, and it just tastes damn good. Knowing I am helping my body fight off whatever is coming my way is stress relieving!
ReplyDeleteMy first effort usually goes to concentrating on my breathing. But I'm about to start something new--yoga. I have friends who love it. They have inspired me to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great giveaway!
Not very well I'm afraid. I try to spend some time outside relaxing each weekend. And I've been taking public transportation instead of driving.
ReplyDeletedawniawnie@aol.com
I manage kid-induced stress by remembering how funny it will be to blog about it later.
ReplyDeleteoldnicholsfarm@hotmail.com
I exercise. I leaned years ago when I had toddlers that getting up about half an hour early was WELL WORTH the effort...there's just something about the combination of prioritizing ME and sweating that keeps my stress levels LOW!
ReplyDeleteLIB
I try to accomplish something I have been putting off. If that doesn't work, I WINE. tee hee.
ReplyDeleteTime alone helps me manage stress. I've been known to invent errands to get out of the house.
ReplyDeleteajolly1456 at gmail dot com
Going off by myself to work on a Sudoku puzzle helps me when I'm stressed out.
ReplyDeleteI manage stress by taking hour long walks three times a week with a great playlist blasting on my ipod. Just me, my thoughts and my music :)
ReplyDeletedreamzz12{at}aol{dot}com
I do relaxation exercises
ReplyDeleteGoing for a walk helps.
ReplyDeletekristisdeals1 at yahoo dot com
Exercise! Ok, and to be honest, occasionally I hang out with my friends Ben and Jerry.
ReplyDeleteI go for a long run! It refreshes my mind!
ReplyDeleteI practice my breathing exercises, and they help calm me down.
ReplyDeletecharisscharity at yahoo dot com