Stress Relief: Time Out for Adults
The “time out” is the most well known and most recommended discipline action of our time! Taking a time out allows for fuses to fizzle and actions to be acknowledged. But, who says time outs are just for tots?
Let’s face it – everyone suffers with some types of stress. Babies suffer from stress when they are hungry, tired, in need of a change or if they are startled. Older children can experience stress from any number of things, from peer pressure to taking a test.
Adults, however, are the silent sufferers of stress. Most of us contend with constant controversy – between health issues, relationship issues, financial issues, and simply trying to juggle between work and home can wreak havoc on your well-being.
The answer to handling stress does not come in the form of control – most stress issues are beyond our control. The key is to diminish stress by identifying the issues and successfully squelching strained situations by activating affirmative action. In other words, learning how to cope is the answer, unless of course you can quit your job, sell all your belongings and become a recluse! But, really, who would want to leave everything behind? It would be heavenly, for a while – that’s the beauty of a vacation, but it’s not practical all the time. Besides, there are different stressors that come with being alone all the time!
The number one way to accomplish success over stress? Take a time out! Taking time to raise relaxation can increase your sense of overall well-being!
The good news is – relaxation can be learned. Once you learn to increase your relaxation, you can experience decreased pain levels, decreased stress and an increase in your overall wellness – maybe even lose a few of those stubborn pounds!
Stress activates a series of hormones giving us the biochemical strength to fight or flee. Prolonged stress can cause health problems or exacerbate existing problems. After a while, it can produces things like insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, fear and chronic tension. It can also cause behaviors, which contribute to the development of disease, especially when coupled with unhealthy eating, smoking or alcohol consumption.
The first step to relaxation is interfering with the stress cycle – take a time out! Remove yourself from the stressful situation as soon as possible. Not possible? Try some deep breathing or meditation – anything that may induce relaxation!
Whether its 5 minutes or several hours, taking time for yourself allows you to see more clearly. It allows you to think things through. Take a moment and think about it right now – if you remove yourself from your screaming child, chances are you won’t reinforce the ruckus by screaming back – if your remove yourself from that annoying project, chances are the pieces of the puzzle will fall right into place when you return.
It’s okay – in fact, it’s recommended to take a break every once in a while – why do you think we have coffee breaks and lunch breaks? Even a few minutes away can let you see more clearly! So, go ahead, take a time out!
