Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques

Archive for August, 2009

As we know there are a million causes of negative stress in our lives. However, the number one cause is rapid change. Anything unexpected causes our stress levels to skyrocket. We have a constant need to continue to adjust to different demands and new information and responsibilities every hour of every day. We live in a rapidly changing world and those changes allow us little time to adjust and absorb to the changes around us.

To understand how negative stress is harmful, we have to understand what happens to our bodies when we are able to not use the “flight and fight” responses that our body sends us. This response allows a person to recognize whether they are in danger or being threatened. This response tells you to either run from it as fast as you can or to stand and fight against it. Unfortunately, when your employer throws you a short deadline you don’t have the option to do either. You can’t run from it even though you want to and you can’t fight your boss without losing your job. This means that this response goes unused and the negative stress is allowed to build. Because you receive an adrenaline rush of sorts and you are unable to use it, the stress on your body builds. Your body exhibits this in a variety of different ways and we know those expressions your body makes as stress.

Our bodies respond to these life events as if they are faced with life or death in the jungles or plains the ancient world. The difference is that they can’t get out of these situations and you definitely cannot flee or flight them! Because you are able to neutralize these chemicals that are being sent to your brain, they build up and cause more strain on your life. We are very overwhelmed and our brains keep releasing chemicals that you can’t get rid of.

In the midst of all this stress, you are forced to continue life as normal. You have to go to work, talk with other people and pick your kids up from school in addition to go to soccer practice, the grocery store, the dry cleaners and you have to cook dinner. It is hard to focus because you have so many different thoughts buzzing around in your head and your daily life suffers from it. You are unable to focus and work effectively because you are so distracted with life’s stresses. You may even feel physical changes such as tension headaches and shaky hands.

When we are in such a state, we are unable to think clearly and you have more accidents. We then get to the point to where we are dealing with long-term stress all of the time.

Like a shot, it was out the door to the mall to buy some much-needed office togs on mega-sale. Talbot’s, my favorite vendor of grownup-appropriate clothing, provided two pairs of washable wool slacks – 40-freaking-PERCENT off! – plus a beautifully designed blouse and a very snazzy blazer at the same markdown. Chico’s sold me a very pretty gray sweater (also washable) at half price to go with the dressy gray Talbot’s slacks, and of course no trip to the Biltmore is complete without a stop at the Apple store. . . .

So smug do I feel about these little coups that I presume to offer my pointers for saving dough at the mall:

1. Shop the sales around major holidays, especially the post-Christmas season. Never pay full price for anything.

2. Reconnoitre your wardrobe before leaving the house. Have a clear idea of what items you need and in what colors. If more than two or three items are needed, make a list. Shop only for those things; don’t spend time window-shopping or browsing through racks of tempting but irrelevant items.

3. Go straight to stores where you have had success before. Avoid departments or shops whose clothes don’t fit well or aren’t your style, and stay away from stores where staff have been rude, pushy, or inattentive in the past.

4. Never shop when you’re feeling especially cheerful or blue; either cast of mind can lead you to overspend.

5. Shop alone. Shopping is a herd activity – you may find yourself buying things for no other reason than that your friend bought something.

6. If it fits and you really like it, get it. If it doesn’t quite fit right or you’re not so sure it’s the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever wrapped around your body, leave it.

7. Learn to embroider and appliqué. With a needle and some colored thread, you can make a $20 pair of Glorias from Costco look like a $200 pair of designer jeans.

How do you feel about shopping for clothes, and what do you do to minimize shopping angst? What are your strategies for getting the best value for your clothing dollars?