So have I said before that when I am stressed out, I'm not feeling super creative. I plan to have lots of holiday recommends coming later but until then I am going to throw a few things out right now. They all relate in some odd way to stress.
First, I just want to throw this out there. I am sorry friends on Facebook but I really don't want to hear what you are thankful for all month long. I know you probably think differently but some of it feels disingenuous. If you need to be thankful, instead of posting on the internet every day, my recommendation is that you either call someone or perhaps write them a letter or note. I am sure they would be really thankful for that personal contact.
There is something to be said for loud and pounding music when you are feeling stressed out. I used to want silence or classical music and certainly there is a time for that as well. But I have had more days where I just want something with a loud, pounding bass. Green Day's "Know Your Enemy" is a good choice, also Ministry does a cover of "Thunderstruck" that is pretty great. I've recently refound the song "Oh My God" by Jay Z. They have been using it for a movie promo in January and I just loved how they edited it. There are a few other songs that can be turned up loud..."Starships" by Nicki Minaj, "Waka Waka" by Shakira, "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, "Seether" by Veruca Salt & don't forget the Offspring.
Laundry can helps with stress. I'm a big fan of those scented Downy fabric softeners. They are downright lovely smelling and can help to make your laundry feel good, even if you aren't necessarily feeling so great.
I also find that action movies are helpful. Old episodes of "Alias" since there is always guaranteed to be some kind of fight/heist/travel are pretty great along with anything other knock 'em out, drag 'em out fight style movies. I find that when others are fighting or running, how I am feeling seems inconsequential.
Baking! Seems today that you don't have to do the slow process of rising and pounding the dough. But just in case you feel like taking it out on some yeast, flour and water. Here it is! Try some new recipes. Maybe some biscuits or cinnamon rolls or honey rosemary bread. I always recommend Mark Bittman but you can always find some new recipes especially in magazines around the holidays.
Finally, a massage. I belonged to Massage Envy until that was one of the things I had to cut out of my budget. Most companies like that offer a reduced rate for the first one and less than standard massage prices if you have a membership. I have the same person that I have gone to for some time but if I ever have a new person, I usually ask for someone who specializes in medical massage. I want to know how to avoid pulled muscles in the future but since I have a low pain threshold, I also want to be sure that I will relax and not be worried about a heavy handed massage. Stress causes me to pull all kinds of strange muscles so a massage is just what the doctor ordered.
So go out and find something positive to do with that stress!
