How one woman de-stresses

I take a nice long bath in a warm tub of water when my arthritis has been aggravated by the cold. No scents, and door open, letting the steam out so as not to aggravate my asthma.

I eat safe comfort foods that have taken the places of the comfort foods of my youth.

I take naps.

I make hot tea with honey and sit quietly for a few minutes.

I close my eyes and fantasize about whatever makes me happy at the moment... a favorite tv show, pretty things, music, etc. Whatever is in my "happy place" at the moment works.

I snuggle down with my dogs and cats and kids and hubby and put in a video.

I blow bubbles. Keeping a bottle in the car for traffic jams is helpful... when people are all pissed off stuck in traffic, you get smiles from folks when you roll down the windows and blow bubbles. Blowing bubbles for my dogs and kids to chase and catch is fun too.

Visit with friends. Nothing de-stresses like sitting with friends, relaxing and talking about whatever. I used to think I didn't have time for that. Now... I make time. Period.

Ditch high-maintenance people. I don't have enough energy in my life for myself... I can't maintain the vampires as well. Most of my friends are broken in some respect, but we help each other. This is entirely different than those people who simply take and never give - especially energy: those "borderline personalities" who have the resources to help themselves, but choose not to. You cannot shovel someone else's mess if they won't pick up a shovel and help. This was the hardest lesson to learn, but the most valuable.

I keep warm. I find hats that are sexy, and Nightmare Before Christmas fingerless gloves to keep my hands warm. Cuddle Duds are my friends. Thick, tall socks are mandatory. And shoes that let my feet breathe, yet are wicked looking. So I'm warm AND look good. Self esteem is just as important as not being in pain. Either one will work on my head eventually.

I love Woman's Comfort Book: A Self-Nurturing Guide for Restoring Balance in Your Life. It's full of all sorts of great ideas of ways to pamper yourself, starting with the idea that you NEED to pamper yourself. ALL of these things release and reduce stress. Some prevent it from starting. After all, if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else.