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.

A little while ago, I did this tongue-in-cheek post on how to look older before your time. But how about looking good for your age? Well, you could do the opposite of what was on that list, but there are many more things you should be doing to make sure you age gracefully, both in your mind and your body. Prevention Magazine has put together this great resource on aging well, complete with dozens of handy tips including:

• Eat and apple a day
• Take up a new hobby
• Eat Omega-3 enriched foods
• Have a CPR test
• Practice Tai Chi
• Get a bone density test
• Smile
• Wear a hat in the sun

What do you think is the best way to age gracefully? If you ask me, the main components are moisturizer, sunscreen, healthy eating, daily fitness and sleep.

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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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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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With February just about over and signs of spring popping into the air with a few warm days, the golf courses in my area saw a line at the tee box that hasn't been present in just about 4 months. I heard a lady at the grocery store telling one of her friends that it wasn't going to be long before her husband would be out of the house just about every day until after the sun sets and there was enough time for him to down a few cold brewskies. I love golf personally and share in the sentiment that time on the golf course helps me forget about everything else in the world and there is nothing better than chasing that hole in one. I would much rather stare at a nine iron than a waffle iron. So how do relationships survive when golf courses are thriving? Does the term "golf widow" ring a bell? Even summer vacations are planed around where interesting courses designed by big name architects can be played. Which leads many wives to boring days in a hotel room or an outlet mall or by the pool talking to other golf widows.

Here are a few tips to help your relationship survive the golf obsessions of your spouse.

1. Find a hobby of your own and don't feel guilty for spending time enjoying it.
2. Plan an outing with the two of you for one night a week and stick to it for respect of each other.
3. Split the household chores between you and do not nag each other about them if they are not done until the last day of the week.
4. Do not do each others chores. Respect each other and take care of the home responsibilities together.
5. Set a schedule for times that you each will spend time with the children or taking care of the pets.
6. Plan a vacation with another couple so that you have someone to hang out with while your spouses play golf. The time to make your pitch is definitely now so you can also pick a place that has something to do while your spouse plays golf.
7. Solicit joint participation in the game of golf from your spouse. This requires an open mind, a closed mouth, and the "Patience of Job".

I would like to close with a joke that I heard from one of my golf friends. There was this guy who went golfing every day, it didn't matter what kind of weather it was because he was hooked on golf. One day he left the house early and headed for the golf course, but it was so bitter cold that he decided he wouldn't golf that day and went back home. His wife was still in bed when he got there, so he took off his clothes and snuggled up to his wife's backside and said "Terrible weather out there." She replied, "Yeah, and can you believe my stupid husband went golfing?"