Thursday, June 30, 2011

Things on Thursday: Stress Reduction

Years ago, I owned a sound machine that played rainforest, ocean, thunderstorm, and other nature sounds. It was wonderful, and then it broke. So sad. It had been rather expensive, so I didn't replace it.

Monday, my children were driving me crazy. The bickering! The whining! It. Would. Not. Stop.

At Target, when the whining and begging reached a fevered pitch, I pushed the cart past the shelves loaded with foot massage and spa machines and saw this little beauty. Prices have plummeted on these since I bought my first one, and I grabbed the box like my life depended on it.


This machine is WAY cheaper than babysitters or therapy or a straight jacket. Just a few minutes listening to it while sitting in a room behind a closed door gave me the strength to face the bickering and deal with it like a grow-up instead of like a snarling rabid dog. Isn't it amazing what pleasant sounds can do to our brains?

What are your favorite, most effective stress relievers?

6 comments:

  1. OMG I'm pretty sure this is exactly what I need also.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Judy

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  2. Stress relief = stamping, not much more to add really.

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  3. My stress relievers include thumping the heck out of a lump of dough - the more thumping the lighter the bread :) Chopping wood.

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  4. Early morning when everyone is still sleeping and the birds are singing right outside my window...when I feel overwhelmed or stressed...I play their happy song in my head and remember Matthew 6:25-34 HE TAKES CAR OF US ALL AND IT ALL
    blessings
    patti moffett

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  5. Fab ideas here! Thanks, ladies!

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  6. This may sound really sappy but when I am very stressed about my kids' lives I finally have to sit or lie down and close my eyes and picture Jesus and me handing all of my worries over to him. I also use stamping and, unfortunately, food to relieve stress. If I'm someplace where I can go for an extended walk - that helps, too.

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Thanks so much for taking time to comment!