Stress Outlet

[June1]

Hello!

 

I've been under a ton of stress lately, and I need a more spiritual outlet for it. Normally, karate is my way of release, but my dojo is closed for 2 weeks for the holidays. Yes, I can practice some at home, but it's not the same.

 

I don't meditate and was wondering if someone has a technique to share that will help me to calm down quickly when I start to feel awful. Thank you very much!

[MenteReligieuse]

Hmm, usually working out always worked for me. Else I lose myself in a good book. The key is to get your mind off the source of your stress.

[June1]

That makes sense! Thank you!

 

Does anyone else have a creative way they use to rid themselves of unnecessary stress?

[Master Jules]

Ill go with Mente here....definetely go work out......use that excessive energy in a positive way.....Stress can drive you into a really hellacious workout.....always good to have one of those from time to time

[June1]

Don't I know it! One time, I walked into my dojo beyond miserable, and by the time class was over, I couldn't stop smiling.

 

But I can't go to the dojo for another week. (See original post)

[Master Jules]

Yeah .....happens all the time....ever notice how you seem to get an awesome workout on some of the days when you dont even feel like you "have it" ?

[June1]

Yes... Yes, I do!

 

Even "off" days can sometimes turn around unexpectedly.

[June1]

Keep 'em coming, guys!!! These are good!

[monkeygirl]

If you're looking for meditation techniques...these are just sort of relaxation things. I don't do it often, but when I do, this is how I like to do it.

 

Sit in a quiet room of comfortable temperature. I prefer dim lighting because I close my eyes. That way when I open them later, it isn't a shock, which sort of ruins the whole experience. You could light a scented candle that you like. Maybe play some light music, but it's probably better if there aren't any lyrics. You're trying to get to a state beyond words. If you've ever studied art and the brain, you're trying to get to your Left Brain, basically.

 

Keep relatively good posture. Sit up straight, but relax your shoulders. You'll breathe better. and your mom will be happy.

 

Now, you want to envision something. Maybe it's a happy memory or an environment. For me, I like to imagine landscapes, like a sunset on a rocky beach, or the pool at the bottom of a jungle waterfall, or rolling green hills, or anything equally corny. It should be a place you'd like to be, anything that relaxes you.

 

While you have this vision, focus on your breathing. Take deep, steady breaths, and everytime you breathe out, imagine that the stress is leaving your body, little by little. Like squeezing a tube of toothpaste, or shoveling dirt or something. (This also works especially well for pain! Exhale and imagine the pain leaves with the breath)

 

Once that is finished, the next step will leave you energized if you choose to do it. Inhale steadily, taking in as much air as your lungs will handle. Once you've reached max capacity, hold it there for a count of six. Exhale, breathing all of the air out, and hold that for a count of six. Do that three times.

 

Breathe normally for a little while, and when you're ready, gently open your eyes (if you closed them). I usually do it for about 20 minutes or so. This is a good time for prayer, if you choose to do so. That part is strictly optional though. Meditation is by no means limited to religious activity, which is great because it can be so incredibly relaxing.

 

Sometimes people do group meditation, but I don't like that very much. I guess it depends on how you deal with stress. I internalize things and like to be left alone to deal with it my own way. Others probably prefer to be with people, so group meditation would be good for them.

 

An alternative to meditation is a cool "left-brain" exercise I've done once or twice. Some artists like to do it before they begin to work in order to "get in the mood" so to speak. Get a pencil and some paper, and a finely detailed object. This could be a balled up piece of paper or the palm of your hand...anything that has a lot of contours. Now look very closely at the object. Never take your eyes off the object, just start to draw and let your hand move along. Don't think about what you're drawing, just try to notice all of the little lines, and make your hand copy them exactly as they are. After I did that for a few minutes, I felt like I was on another planet. It's kinda weird, like daydreaming about nothing at all...but pretty relaxing.

[Hawkeye]

I like the "exercise hard" way of beating stress. Either a big weights workout or a big cardio workout does it for me. I've recently discovered that doing my all my kata with (BIG) dynamic tension does a good job of wringing the stress out of me as well. When I'm done, I'm wrung out but smiling.