Since stress joined the major league of medical killers, it has been a subject of intensive study. With all the attention it got, it even became a mainstream malady.
Headache? Indigestion? Lack of sleep? Lack of concentration? Obesity? Anorexia? Poor eyesight? Go, de-stress. Chilling out is now our curative mantra. And, opportunistically, a huge industry has grown around it.
As a stress reliever, the yoga-meditation path is an established one, but we're too time-stressed for it. We start in earnest, go for a few sessions and then falter. Stress-busting satvik food is fine, but is it practicable? We travel, we have to eat what we get.
There is good news. New trails have been discovered in our hike towards a relaxed dawn.
“Different people have differing ways of chilling out — reading, walking, playing — whatever is possible in the prevailing environment,” says Brigadier (retd.) Subramanyam, who signs his mail with “Always have a positive attitude to life”.
His own stress-buster is sending inspirational videos to his Google group. The latest clip shows how our soldiers stay high on morale in freezing altitudes. Enough to shame us on our “I-can't-take-it-anymore” whine.
You don't have to “do” anything, says Uthra, a software major employee. She's into, what she calls, audio-visual imagery.
“When we feel run down, my friend and I get together, have coffee, crib, and plot ways to do in the enemy. At one point, we wanted to author 101 Ways To Best The Boss! The person who comes up with the better (read more imaginative, far-fetched, even bloodthirsty) solution doesn't pick up the bill.” Never fails to cheer, she says, even if the execution is halted at the ideation stage.
Unlike diet, yoga, exercise and equanimity, the new methods endorse what we've always done: indulge ourselves. In a good way.
A tantrum helps!
Shocking, it sounds, but throw a tantrum sometimes. Short bursts of anger may release stress, calm you down. (But, remember to apologise.) Display of anger gives you a feeling of control, counteracts your helplessness and frustration. Works in the short term.
For long-term relief, find a comfy seat or get on the gentle oonjal. Deep breathe. Several times. Make it a habit. Fill lungs with air, let it out. Inhale-exhale, before facing a tough decision, a belligerent boss, a clinging colleague.
Consider chocolate (bitter/dark/less sweet).
Chocolate is good, walnut is better (has Omega-3 fatty acids), so why not a combo brownie/cake when you feel awful? Sure to perk you up with some impressive levels of serotonin, the happiness hormone.
Buy/bake a batch, sit down to munch. Switch on the music, curl up with your favourite mag. Feel the stress ebb.
Feeling out of sync? Sidle to the park, morning or evening. Why spend awful amounts in a home/commercial gym? Walk a bit, sit, look at the trees. Watch people. Where did she buy that dress? It's called the “taking mind off” technique.
Can't get out? Surf channels. Priya would do it often, post-divorce. “Six hours straight,” she says. “I'd watch a mindless comedy, stupid thrillers, or just click channels. I always felt better.”
Shopping for clothes is another healer, she says. Head to the footpath stalls. The bargain is bound to cheer you up. If you have a charitable streak, read to the local kids, teach them songs, card tricks, or origami folds. Their “wow” combats stress, cost-free.
Sleep is a powerful antidote to stress, a counsellor will tell you. Stretch comfortably, sleep the stress off. Wake up, clean the fish tank, re-arrange furniture, buy new cushions, sew, knit, sing loudly, exercise vigorously — be with yourself.
Pets to the rescue
Current research shows you needn't talk endlessly to overcome grief-induced stress. If you have a pet, you have the antidote to anxiety. Pet owners will tell you how relaxing pet companionship is.
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