Thrive Challenge

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Comment by Amanda on March 22, 2010 at 2:51pm

Biking...Biking...Biking...playing...and Quantum Jumping and eating vegan, (I just started about 2 months ago and haven't looked back! All of these activities have really reduced my stress levels. Staying positive through a not so positive time by making a change for the betterment of our engimatic blue planet...so...I have begun a journey into environmental science and policy...which hase to date enlightened me in many ways where once I was in the dark about many issues...this has brought joy and joy is a very powerful tool in stress relief. I also have become more involved within my own community to help make a difference. Amoungst these things...I garden...inside and out. Plan on putting in a native butterfly and bee garden this year to help these dying species...this is my ultimate stress relief...simply...reducing my ecological footprint..:) During the winter months I read about the sciences and religions...from the plankfield to the endless expanses of our Universe...God and Man...Nature and Nurture. All these things bring meaning to my life and I feel happiness IE; Stress Relief.

Comment by Carmelle Hinkle on March 1, 2010 at 5:24pm

I know the month is over but I still want to share how I manage stress. First of all, I get up early enough in the morning to read a little from a few of my favorite books such as Power of Positive Thinking, the Bible, and the Big Book. Then I spend time praying and meditating before getting ready for work. I also say positive affrimations and quotes I've memorized from books through out my day when I feel stress coming on. Of course eating a vegan, mostly raw foods diet and frequent exercise are vital, but I try to make sure I hike at least once a week as a priority in my fitness routine. I don't listen to music but instead focus on gratitude for a strong and healthy body, capable of exercise, the environment around me, and all of the living creatures.

Comment by Elmar Duiveman on March 1, 2010 at 12:23pm

At this point in my life the best way to lower cortisollevels is indeed to eat right, sleep without waking up all the time and think about the beach! Just relax doing nothing in the sun getting some vitamine D. Running/ spinnning & ROM are also great to reduce stress levels. Sometimes to stay focussed on goals it's the best way to leave them all behind you for a couple off weeks. Doing less to nothing isn't bad it's necessary. A change of heart, looking to you world and you dear ones in another perspective helps. I took me more than a half year to realise this... my friends helped me alot so please consult your friend & family to reduces stress... This will help!

Comment by Ken Wilkens on February 28, 2010 at 7:43pm

My stress plan includes a new venture into Yoga (Hatha for now, really focusing on my breathing and calming aspects of the practice) -- I really enjoy the fact that I must be 'in the moment' while in class, and challenged to calm my mind and busyness at the end of class in Savasana.

Comment by Cheryl Murray on February 26, 2010 at 4:51pm

Without a doubt the daily practice of self Reiki -even for a few moments a day is the best stress and anxiety reliever for me. I began doing Reiki in 1993 and became a Reiki Master in 1997- it has become inseparable to my meditation practice and what helps me fall asleep at night with ease...that and greeting the day like our husky Terra dog used to do...we would open the door and let her out, and she would just sit at the top step of the porch- breath in the day, listen to the birds, a silent prayer of Thank-you for this day...and then off she would go, grounded and yet connected to her higher power and ready for the day.

Comment by Anne de Champlain on February 25, 2010 at 10:10pm

We are all different and I wish meditation or Yoga were practices that I was naturally drawn to because many people refer to them as truly life saving.
However, I find that running gives me a similar mental space as others might attain during meditation. I can take on too much and stop caring about myself in the process. As a perfectionist and high performer, I'm used to taking care of everything and making sure everything is fine for everyone and often forget my own needs. And then I start feeling resentful. When I start feeling like this, I've learnt to make space for myself even if that means canceling plans and having to say NO to someone's request. Sounds so simple hey?
Another thing which I often neglect when I get too busy is journaling but this activity alone can really keep me centered, focussed and calm beyond anything I can think of.

Last but not least I've come to accept that sometimes you can have a break and enjoy life even if all the chores are not finished. Because, guess what: "All the chores are never finished!"

Comment by Kathy Manizza on February 25, 2010 at 3:49am

This is a good time for me to respond as I am at a particularly high stress point! I am a college track and field coach and this is the indoor championships season with lots of travel, meals eaten away from home, and pressure for my teams to perform. For me, it is imperative that I have some time to myself each day, and I usually use that time to exercise: run or swim. I also make sure that I get lots of sleep, but I try to get up an hour or two before I have to leave in the morning so I can completely relax, plan out my day, and appreciate being in my home with my husband and dog. Eating well is critical, but this is when it's hardest to do because of time and travel. I've done much better this year, but still find myself craving sweets (which I rarely eat normally). I have also found that I sleep much better if I can reduce the tension in my muscles by going through a series of foam roller exercises followed by gentle stretching. It all comes down to good sleep, good nutrition, and regular exercise.... but those can be difficult to achieve at stressful times.

Comment by Anthony on February 24, 2010 at 8:31pm

I climb rocks. Whether they be plastic at the rock gym for practice or real rocks in pristine valleys or canyons. This has become my new church. I am peaceful connecting with mother earth while I engage and work my muscles. Its an incredible experience working on fitness, peacefulness, flexibility, etc.

Comment by lulu on February 24, 2010 at 6:20pm

i manage stress by getting enough sleep, eating right, and walking. i walk all the time. as a nanny, i push a stroller for hours. as a member of a one car family, i walk as my main mode of transportation. because i walk places instead of driving, i have to take things a little slower. in the time it takes me to get to the farmers' market or the library, i process things through my mind and settle any little problems i might have. a high quality diet paired with ample sleep gives me the energy to walk all over the place, which gives me not only exercise but also time to work through my problems, which leads to better sleep, which makes me less stressed, which makes me want to eat better and walk farther....

Comment by Howard Lee Christal on February 23, 2010 at 5:14pm

To manage stress, I try to have a positive outlook on life.

Comment by Jacque Christal on February 23, 2010 at 5:10pm

I try to not let things bother me too much. I also try to maximize my achievement, so I don't get stressed about being behind. Finally, I watch movies that make me happy.

Comment by Victor Hurdle on February 23, 2010 at 9:49am

Stress happens like ebb and flow. When stressful moments hit me, my natural reaction always was to recoil and find myself in a sedentary lifestyle state. Now, when stress hits, I hit the gym harder, I hit the running paths longer, or I try to drop into a yoga class. The best thing is really learning to breathe deep through you nose and out your nose is the best defense when I feel myself getting tense.

Comment by Bonita on February 22, 2010 at 4:04pm

I love exercise, especially hot yoga and samba, but my ultimate way to destress is watching funny movies or telling a joke a day. I keep an internal smile in order to keep an external smile! This fits into my life by not be too serious and to remember that I am on a joyful journey. This is the advice that i pass on to my clients.

Comment by Mayryanna Craver on February 22, 2010 at 3:24pm

I have just recently learned how to control my own anxiety this past year, and ironically that's exactly what started me on the path that has brought me to the Vega community. I suffered from anxiety disorder, depression, and panic attacks for years; a combination of hormone imbalance, financial stress, grief, family trouble, physical inactivity, and poor diet kept building on itself. At the peak of my stress mountain, it had taken over my life to the point that I was experiencing severe and uncontrollable anger. As a girl who grew up in a conservative home with a longer history of volunteer service then anything else on my resume, you can imagine my surprise when I found myself in handcuffs after a fight with my boyfriend resulted in him acquiring a black eye. Sitting in jail for two consecutive nights gave me plenty of time for an honest heart to heart with myself. And there is was: I had never been honest with myself. I was trying to fulfill an ideal that wasn't mine, in fact when I really dug deep I discovered I had no idea what I wanted for myself. Now, I'm happy to say, I do. Today, when I feel that tinge of anxiety and stress in my gut, I look at it straight in the face and start asking the hard questions. What's really making me feel this way? Why? Am I avoiding an emotion, situation, or task? Am I worried about what I have no control over? What aspects of my current situation do I have control over? What are some positive changes I can make for myself that if nothing else will at least improve upon my greatest responsibility - me? The list of questions could go on and on, but the key to all of them is honesty. Once I learned to be honest with myself, my life began to change along with my perspective. Now I'm working toward goals that I believe in, laying a foundation of character within my self that I can respect, and facing the challenges of my life with renewed purpose and vitality. It has been over 6 months since I've experienced the symptoms of my anxiety disorder, depression, or a panic attack - and in learning the art of health I have even forgotten what the fear of those things feels like.

I'd like to add too, that as a newbie in the realm of wellness, you are all a great inspiration to me! Thank you! I will definitely be using many of the tips that have been shared.

Comment by Pamela Neimeth on February 22, 2010 at 9:41am

i kiss my dogs and let them continually teach me about living in the moment!!!--Babies are good for this too:)

Comment by Megan Bjorklund on February 22, 2010 at 6:47am

My best stress busters include getting out in nature, listening to music, spending time with my dogs, eating right, and not worrying about what others think of me. The last has been the biggest improvement with stress in my life, it is so much easier to have a good time, relax, and enjoy life when you don't worry about how you are perceived by others.

Comment by Travis Christal on February 21, 2010 at 7:22am

I do a number of things to manage stress, including
1. proper breathing (slow, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth)
2. make sure to sleep through the hours of 2AM at 6AM
3. don't get worked up about things
4. avoid coffee and refined sugars

I made the choice to live like this when I found out that it could help me lower my stress levels. I would recommend all of these steps to others, especially number 3, because while it is the hardest, its the one with the largest impact.

Comment by Dora on February 19, 2010 at 8:45am

I find that meditation helps a great deal, working out and being physically active is a great way for me to handle stress. I also like to take a little time to just 'veg' and relax. I will watch a movie or take a warm bath.

Comment by Victoria R on February 18, 2010 at 6:32am

I am managing stress with several things. One I am trying to eat better with a goal of 95% pure foods. I practice yoga 3-5 times a week. I also run and exercise 5 times a week. And I read every night to relax before going to sleep. As a Mom I used to not make time for myself and stress was so bad that I couldn't eat without getting sick to my stomach from the stress. I internalize my stress. I since learned to take time for me and just calm my body and mind.

Comment by Claudia on February 14, 2010 at 11:01am

I struggled a lot with stress in the past but a regular morning routine has done wonders for that! I get up early, spend a few minutes thinking about my intentions for the day ahead, rehydrate my body with water and lemon juice (and now I use vega sport shortly thereafter), and then within about an hour of waking up I do a morning training session (45-90 min) that involves some cardio, some strength training, stretching and yoga, finishing with savasana (corpse pose). Not only does my morning training session energize me, it also grounds me and I find when I get up from savasana at the end, I'm clear and relaxed no matter what worries I might have had earlier in the morning.

I think my main advice to others would be: add some routine into your life that you do daily. It could even just be 5 min but if you do it every day, the routine will help you. I think the best stress-relieving routines involve exercise and/or yoga and/or meditation. Personally, I find all of these very grounding and helpful in managing stress.

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