What is THE abolute best stress reducer and outlook improver

[Craig Maltby]

My field involves immune system health. One aspect of immune health is mental and emotional stress. Long-term stress can knock your immune system out of sync, resulting in greater occurence of cold and flu, joint pain, etc. because immune cells are over-reacting or under-reacting.

So one question is, how to pre-empt prolonged period of stress. What is the best stress reducer you've found? What has worked best for you? Listening to Kenny G.??? Vigorous excercise?? Meditation? Yoga? (can a person learn yoga without going to a yoga class for a year?) Chiropractic
adjustments? Spontaneous fun?? I would be interested in hearing what you think, and posting the most notable on my blog. Thanks.

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

Meditation in a beautiful garden works for me:

[Lisa Newton]

Walking and taking pictures are my stress reducers. I love the fresh air, the people watching, and most of all the sweat the activity generates at the end. Plus, the sense of accomplishment is a great self-esteem booster.

[Lauren]

When I feel stressed, and especially when I can't sleep, I mentally rearrange the furniture in my house. Physically rearranging is much better- makes the place feel new and exciting, and you work up a sweat. But I find doing that mentally uplifts me the same way. Something about feeling productive and planning a manageable project.

And it's an easy gauge for when stress has gone too far. When I find myself at 2 am with all the furniture pushed to the middle of the room, I know I need real changes in my life.

[Aran]

Walking and Yoga.
The first to exercise the body in the most natural way known to man and the second to chill the mind.
I a minded of an old Roman proverb. Never run when you can walk, walk when you can stand, never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie and never lie!

[Debbie Petras]

Several things work for me:
1. Consistent exercise - even going for a brisk walk helps.
2. Prayer - helps remind who is really in charge.
3. Establishing a routine - regardless of how I feel (ex: make my bed, clean the dishes, etc)
4. Maintain relationships with at least a few close friends I trust (a great outlet is to talk)
5. Keep a list of things for which I'm grateful. (helps change my outlook)

[myfitlife]

The best pre-emptive stress reducer I have found is eating a healthy vegetarian diet.
As soon as I eliminated meats and processed foods, especially wheat, from my diet, I was able to handle life without the usual stress.

The same "things" were happening, but it seems as though my consciousness expanded and I became bigger than my problems.

This same phenomenon is true for many of my friends and clients.

It's amazing what a healthy diet will do for your mind, body, and spirit.

[Passionate Green]

Reading, writing, music, movies, vegetarian diet, family, Prozac ;-)

The things you DO are not nearly as important as the things you DO NOT DO when it comes to having a stress-free life. A lack of smoking, alcohol, and risque behavior, and surrounding yourself with calm, kind, loving people goes a long way.

[Craig Maltby]

You guys are awesome. These are great.

My stress-reliever (in addition to buying into everything you all have said): Just socializing with groups of great folks. Whether it's church or parties or business gatherings, I just think that sharing conversation and a few laughs puts a lot of things in better perspective and keeps reminding me that no man/woman is an island. Nothing is worse than stewing about something by yourself.

Craig
www.balancedimmunehealth.com

[David]

SEX!!!!!!

[Craig Maltby]

DAVID!!! You dawg you.

[David]

Not only is it true, Craig, it's the first thing that came to my mind!

Seriously everything else mentioned here is worthy, but without
our basic instincts or some might say, base instincts, being met,
I think we'd all be turning out insane.

[Craig Maltby]

You're right. I was just giving you a little raz. Healthy sexual activity can be an effective stress reliever. I appreciated your conciseness.