Top 10 de-stressors for hurricane season
The future is called “perhaps,” which is the only possible thing to call the future. And the important thing is not to allow that to scare you.
-Tennessee Williams
It’s June and another hurricane season rides into town with its sidekick anxiety. Here’s a “Top Ten List” of the best ways to keep your stress in check.
1. Nurture yourself. Take some time every day to do something you enjoy, something that feeds your soul.
2. Limit your television news watching time. Those weather people with their endless isobars are enough to give anyone the heebie-jeebies.
3. Control what you can. Have your important documents handy. Know where you can go if you must get out of Dodge in a hurry. Invest in extra radio batteries and bottled water. You know the drill.
4. Avoid Chicken Littles. Hang with positive folks with cheerful, can-do attitudes.
5. Get some physical exercise. Endorphins really can help. Plus you’ll be off the couch and away from the television for a while. Aim for a total of 30 minutes on most days. This can be broken down into 5 or 10-minute segments and still be effective.
6. Limit sugar and caffeine. Eat enough protein. Eat food high in tryptophan. This can be turkey, but it can also be bananas, mangos, dried dates, oats, milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, red meat, chickpeas, sesame, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds; and, best of all, chocolate. In moderation, please.
7. Get enough sleep. If you feel tired at 4 p.m., you probably didn’t sleep enough the night before. But sleep is like exercise. It doesn’t have to be done all at once to count. In other words, take a nap.
8. Count your blessings. It worked for Bing Crosby. It can work for you.
9. Help somebody else. Donate your time. Share a hug or a giggle.
10. Breathe deeply. Inhale through your nose, pushing your stomach out. Keep your chest and shoulders as still as you can. Hold the breath for a count of 4. Than exhale through your mouth for a count of 8.
Fran Thomas is a National Certified Counselor and freelance journalist who lives in St. James City, Fla. Visit her Web site www.francesothomas.com