We are making positive changes in our office. We all cut processed carbs, cokes, fast food, alcohol, some people quit smoking. The 5 of us have given up our vices. But there are trying times. One girl had a big blow up with her teenager last night. Afterward she normally would've gone to the garage for a cigarette to calm down and reflect. That's out, so she reached for the kids potato chips, realized that's out, so there she was just frustrated. I started thinking, yeah, we use food to console ourselves, to reward ourselves, to celebrate holidays, our culture is food centered. When you have a hard day at work and happy hour is out of the question, comfort food is forbidden, what do you do? I used to look forward to a cold beer after the kids went to bed. What is physically and mentally relaxing for you? I'm thinking maybe playing an inspirational song sitting locked alone in my car? Reading a Daily Bible Devotional? Doing a set of sit-ups? lol Not just stuff you can do when all alone in the quiet - those times are rare. More something to do in the midst of the chaos that is daily life.
you are all so helpful! these are some great ideas. thank you. I really see some great options here. THe tea, walking, punching bag, yoga, music, and so many more. Thanks and keep em coming. I think I'm going to make a crutch jar and everytime I want to grab a beer, I'll pull one out of the jar and do that instead! Over time I'll see what truly levels me out. THX
If I can, go for a walk
Scream into a pillow :)
Color with crayons (huge stress relief for me)
Read something completely mindless
Play with my cat
All too often, I play computer games or go onto mampedia ;)
I bought a punching bag. It is a reflex bag that is absolutely the best thing I could have bought for myself. Just a minute or 2 can get rid of some of that tension. I have not used it since last year since I was off balance with it while pregnant(the pole the bag is on makes it come back at you) but plan to get back to it. It is awesome for getting rid of some stress, especially when you have those little blowups with the kids. One of my girls has started to use it too when she gets really frustrated. Otherwise, a good fast walk takes care of things for me. My husband's family knows that if I am walking really fast, stay out of my way.
lol, i guess mamapedia is my cruch.
I've been feeling so out of sorts having a few days off with nothing fun planned and not being motivated to do anything, I'm actually depressed,
ihave huge piles of housework to do, and no rewards, so i keep checking in here to see if i can share my wisdom with someone.
It's hard, all the things i can think of to reward myself with require cash and time, a mani/pedi, shopping? maybe a bubble bath but I can't spend all day in the tub. Aromatherapy is all i can think of but you have to have the stuff to smell, lol.
no wisdom here.
You might have to clue her in to this site! LOL
Something mindless maybe? I knew someone who's wife was habitually late getting ready to leave the house. He stayed calm & did macrame. I think he provided plant hangers to half of the free world!
Puzzles, excercise......
Me? Still reaching for a cig. :(
Anyway, I really just wanted to mention the book series called Eat This, Not That. Your group might find it interesting!
Some ideas:
Instead of an alcoholic beverage to relax: How about a cup of some good yummy herbal tea (with a bit of honey if you choose) in the evening?
Or rub your feet with some warm lavender oil, or soak them in hot water with a few drops of lavender oil added...
Instead of fast food, try hitting a salad bar at lunch and sit down to enjoy your meal. Or bring in a 'ploughman's lunch' type picnic for yourself; some cheeses or other proteins, a couple slices of good whole-grain bread, sliced up fruits and veggies and hard-boiled eggs if your office mates don't seem to mind the smell. You can make it as exotic as you like with hummus, dolmas, some pita, olives and feta, a small quinoa or greens salad, or make it more traditional with cold cut slices. There's something simple and wonderful about eating food this way; we tend to eat more slowly and enjoy the food because of the variety (instead of 'sandwich and an apple' on a daily basis).
Instead of a cigarette, how about exchanging that routine for a walk? Or do some container gardening in the time one would take for a cigarette. It sounds silly, but having big pots somewhere with lots of plants might be fun. (I know, this really depends on your office environment, but can be done at home, too.) Gardening completely mellows me out. Walking makes me stop and be present in my own body. If two of the office mates who usually got together for a break to smoke decided to go for a walk around the block during that time, it would likely achieve the same amount of de-stressing and camaraderie as the cigarette together would have.
To replace soda, consider making an iced flavored black or herbal tea and adding fizzy/seltzer water to it. If you want caffeine, black currant tea is wonderful for this. Once again, there are lots of good herbal teas too, some with packets to make several cups of tea at one go.
Popcorn is good, simple sub for more processed carbs. Especially if you make it from scratch with a bit of olive oil on the stove and bring it in to work. For treats, berries and a bit of flavored yogurt are good. Fruit is a nice treat if you take time to peel and slice it and put it nicely in a dish. Or you can make a light dressing for fruit with lemon juice and honey and a dash of cinnamon--drizzle this over something ripe. It's also fun to try warming different kinds of honey and drizzle this over strawberries. Honey has such an array of flavors...
I'd mostly encourage you to enjoy embellishing the things you can have. Fruits, teas, your environment. For myself, I take about 45 minutes every afternoon possible for a cup of tea and a book. This gives me the energy to get back into the mama-game and make dinner with Kiddo. Perhaps you might want to try a little journal of your substitutions and notice which ones provide you with what you are needing. Notice your body when you are drinking tea-- is it tense or relaxed? What about after you are done? Think about this and it will help you discover which substitutions you are most likely to stick with.
What you are doing is admirable. Good luck!
A little bit of exercise can go a long way! A brisk walk or some jumping jacks to clear your head. You can take a few minutes to yourself and do a few yoga stretches. Deep breathing is great as well! You should make up a mantra that can be repeated over and over to help calm you down.
I would also like to suggest starting a lunch break walking club!
Chew gum? Nice cup of tea, no cream?
I also like mindless games (like Angry Birds) and going for a walk.
Good for you guys! Those triggers (fights, stress) are what make it so hard to quit certain things. But if you can associate the triggers with other releases, you'll be on your way to quitting for good. I use exercise -- even just a quick walk around the block. If your office has stairs, you could do a walk/run up and down a few flights. Even if it only takes two minutes, you'll be retraining your brain to reach for exercise instead of cigarettes, chips, etc. Other things that have worked for me:
Tea -- sounds boring but it's easy to get addicted and it's very calming! I drink mostly herbal tea like chamomile, or just drop a slice of lemon in a cup of hot water, to avoid too much caffeine.
Cleaning -- Tackle the junk drawer, your desk, the bathroom mirror. Even just a little distraction -- wiping off the toaster, for example -- can reset your brain to avoid the temptation.
Music -- Put on an inspirational song, focus on it and breathe, and tell yourself you can have the chips if you still want them when the song is over. Chances are you won't!
Good luck, and keep it up!
Music is always healing/refreshing to me....the kind/type/artist/etc all depends on the mood I am in! Sometimes I turn it up in the car and sing along...even with the kids there. It really helps!
A nice walk outside is another good option.
- Go for a Walk!
- Watch a favorite 'guilty pleasure TV show' Mine is Housewives of Orange County after the kids go to bed. :-)
- Hot Chocolate (winter) or a Fruit smoothie (summer)
- coffee with a splash of Kahlua (sp?) or Bailey's. yummy
- Read a good Book
- Facebook / Mamapedia
- Most things are fine in moderation. Buy some small little indulgent dark chocolate candies. 1 or 2 of those can be a life saver sometimes!
- one of my fav desserts that seems like you are cheating but really not.... fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries with Lite Cool Whip on top! Yummy, smells great, good for the kids too, and is very pretty to look at! Hits all the senses!
Good for you!
I sweat!.... Hit the gym or go rollerblade . Whatever gets those endorphins flowing.
I may not be the best to answer this lol. I have bulmia so binge eating is a way I handle alot of my problems. However I use to cut and burn myself to the point of ending up in the ER alot. When I needed to give that up I needed to replace it was something. I took up dance and running. It really helps me get out my agression.
wandering around the orchard, grooming a pony, visiting MP or FB or going for a run are all *good* responses.
but i have yet to find anything that satisfies me in those circumstances like food.
alas.
:( khairete
S.
baths
walk, run, or elliptical
talk to someone (friend on the phone, or hubby)
and here's a novel idea: cope. Actually deal with the emotions you feel instead of stuffing them with TV, alcohol, or food.
My relaxing stuff:
Clean something.
Pray.
Have glass of wine on the porch (I never have more than two...not really a vice).
Turn on the radio and dance in the living room with my fiancee.
A walk in the park with my fiancee.
Go to the YMCA for a workout.
Read.
Sing.
Go for a drive with the radio on my favorite CD so I can sing with it.
Call my sister to vent or chat.
Call my mom to vent or chat.
Vent or chat with my fiancee.
As far as food goes and wanting something good to eat but keeping it healthy...check out Tosca Reno's books/cookbooks. Her whole thing is eating clean, meaning nothing processed!!! She has healthy ways to make some sweet alternative treats. Also, if you like pumpkin, i found this recipe for pumpkin protein bars. They are delicious!!! Plus clean and healthy. You can get the pumpkin bar recipe along with other recipes on bodybuilding.com, once you get on the website search for Jamie Eason's pumpkin protein bars. Also, check out the magazing Oxygen and Clean Eating.
Some random things I do that actually help with the stress of daily life (other than chew my nails... coughcough), I eat pretzels or apricots. They help with the oral fixation and are healthy-ish. Sometimes I sit in a (mostly) quiet room (even if it's the bathroom!) for about 2 or 3 minutes and completely focus on breathing, in through my nose, out through my mouth. After a few minutes of that I feel a lot better, and ready to take on the next task. Sometimes, if I'm alone at home I'll BLAST some oldies music and just DANCE it out til I'm exhausted... then I laugh at how ridiculous I must have looked. It really works! Some days I'll give myself a complete make-up: the eyes, the hair, the outfit, the shoes. Doesn't matter if I don't go anywhere- just feeling sexy once every now and again feels good! Some people do yoga, some go on nature walks, some meditate. I guess just experiment with what works for you. :) Good luck! ... Oh, and I agree with Christy Lee- cleaning something always makes me feel better too :)
Pretend you're a star! Sing, loudly, something fun. If possible, sing into the nearby mike (slotted spoon, tv remote, paper towel roll). Stops my bad mood and gets others in a bad mood laughing, too!
