Carmen Bowen-Wright
THIS WEEK I will continue to give you some strategies for managing stress. Some are adapted from recommendations of the American Psychiatric Association, while others are born out of my experience as a family physician helping patients to manage stress.
USE DANCE TO RELIEVE STRESS
Dancing is indigenous to the Jamaican population. Toddlers dance if subjected to music and a role model, so this technique is innate. Some people dance on the streets at carnival only. But this 'winey winey' is ideal for weight control, as well as for de-stressing all during the year. Therefore, dance for half hour each day to exciting music in the privacy of your bedroom. You may wear your birthday suits or a stunning gym outfit.
USE EXERCISE
Any form of exercise or a workout at the gym will relieve stress temporarily. If done consistently, it will always leave you with a fresh 'get-up-and-go' attitude, or a spring in one's step, as the saying goes. I personally recommend especially for us seniors, swimming and/or walking. The added positive side effect will be weight control. I strongly recommend swimming, walking and dancing for both weight control and stress relief.
DO NOT LIVE ABOVE YOUR MEANS
A few years ago a study done by the American Psychiatric Association showed that some 75 per cent of all visits made for psychiatric care in USA was stress-related. Of these, nearly 80 per cent were related to financial problems. Your therapist can show you how to do a simple budget. My patients who are conscientious and do it, say their stressor-induced illness literally disappears. As my editor may not even allow me space for the foregoing, let me promise you an article next week on how freedom from stress can 'light up your life'.
USE SPIRITUALITY AND PRAYER
By that, I mean if you are religious, whatever your religion or denomination, take your stress to God. For us Christians, it would be Jehovah, Jesus Christ or just God. Read his word and pray, remembering that with our Jehovah all things work together for good. Read and reflect on verses such as Psalm 27, vs. 1; Is. 40, vs. 31.
TAKE UP A CRAFT
Use a craft or reading to destress. While concentrating on a craft, for example, embroidery, basket making, decorative paper products, you are distracted from your problem. The victory of having produced, say, a tablecloth from crochet or tatting edging for a baby dress is uplifting. Furthermore, some of these products can be sold to supplement one's income.
Dr. Carmen Bowen-Wright is a preventive medicine specialist and wellness practitioner; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
Use a craft or reading to destress. While concentrating on a craft, for example, embroidery, basket making, decorative paper products, you are distracted from your problem.
