We're all stressed way too much -- I don't think anybody disputes that. Our schedules are too busy, our jobs too demanding, our family times too rushed. And although it seems like we're always talking about how we need to take it easy and relax,how often do we really make good on that? One bubble bath once every six months just isn't going to cut it!

The best stress relief happens when it's built right into your life, and the trick is to form a set of habits that you do on a regular basis without really thinking about it. You don't have to think "this action is meant to decrease my stress" in order to reap the relaxing and re-energizing benefits from it. Here are 5 ways to build stress-relief into your life:

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Find a way to incorporate fitness into your hobbies.

If you ask my 89-year-old great aunt, one of the major downfalls of living so long is that most of your close friends and family died years ago and you're all alone. Still, it's important to make new friends and stay in touch with distant ones, according to this article from Everyday Health. Maintaining relationships helps improve your quality of life as you grow older. It also helps ward off dementia and keeps you mentally sharp.

It's also important to engage in productive activities, whether you need to or not. These could include shopping, gardening, baking or any other chore, hobby or activity that you enjoy.

So, if you're retired, consider joining a club or taking up a hobby or activity that keep you busy and allows you to meet new people. You'll be happier and healthier for years to come.

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It seems like once you've passed the age of 12 it becomes more and more difficult to find time for a hobby, and all too many of us find ourselves using phrases like "I used to love to..." and "I wish I could get back into..." I think hobbies slip sometimes because they seem like an extra indulgence or a treat for ourselves that should be low on our list of priorities, and we almost end up feeling guilty when we do take time out to do something we really love. Well it's time to break free of that cycle and pencil in some time, regularly!, for your favorite hobby. And here's why:

• Hobbies give your life meaning
  
• Hobbies energize your life
• Hobbies give you a chance to "switch off"
• Hobbies let you express your talents
• Hobbies let you have fun!

Get rid of the guilt! All of these things are necessary for your overall health and wellbeing -- and if you're well you can help others around you be well also. So, if you think about it, you're doing everybody a favor...


Via Lifehacker

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Sometimes it is all those little distractions during the day that we curse under our breaths. But distraction is a good method to relieve pain. People use this method without even realizing it when they watch TV or listen to the radio to take their minds off of worry or their pain. Distraction may be used to manage mild pain or used with medicine to help manage episodes of severe pain.

Any activity that occupies your attention can be used for distraction. I personally play the guitar to "take my mind off of pain". Distractions could be doing needlework, model building, painting or diving into a good book. Use your hobbies as a way to focus and distract your attention off of pain. Listening to fast music through a headset or earphones keeps your attention on the music and tapping out a rhythm will help hold your attention away from the pain. Playing video games can be a way to keep your focus off of pain. Distraction can also be internal such as singing mentally to yourself, praying, counting or repeating yourself with statements such as "I can cope" or demand the pain away with statements over and over like "pain leave my body."

Of course the best distraction of all to me is to pop in a favorite movie in the DVD player and get focused on the screen.

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People with hobbies are shown to be happier and less stressed than those without, but unfortunately the definition of a hobby is "something you do in your free time." Free time? What free time? It's easy when you're so busy and pulled in so many different directions to lose sight of the things that you love to do for fun, and when you do it can take a real toll on your stress levels and your health. So follow these three steps to less stress and more happiness!

• Hobbies are a great way to follow your dreams in a small and manageable way. Sign up for a class or join a club that relates to something you've always wanted to try.
• Search out organizations that relate to your newfound (or rekindled) hobby and see what they have to offer.
• Recruit a buddy to go along for the ride. Friendships also suffer in today's bustling world, and there's no reason you can't multi-task and solidify friendships while working on a fun project.

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