Now That The Election Is Over...

The people of America have decisively spoken, and we have a new president! And it's been a long road to get here. The 2008 has been a closely-watched, very involved and somewhat stressful election, and many people have found themselves much more interested in 'following politics' than they ever were before. Many people got used to watching 24-hour news channels and checking in with news websites multiple times a day, and may be left with an empty space in their lives--or at least an empty space in their schedule. If you've gotten caught up in the political scene recently, whether you've been spending an extra ten minutes per day or several hours focusing on the news cycles, you can now fill that time with activities that will relieve your stress! One of the biggest obstacles to stress management is that stressed and busy people often feel that they don't have the extra time to devote to stress relief--busy lives take over. Now that you have some extra time, here's what you can do:

With 10 Extra Minutes

• Breathing Exercises
  Taking a few deep breaths to relax yourself several times throughout the day can be an effective way to keep a series of stressors from leading to chronic stress. Reverse your stress response when you find that it's been triggered, and you're better able to handle what comes in the future.
• Journaling
  If you're feeling overwhelmed, get your feelings out on paper and you'll feel much better. If you're not overwhelmed at the moment, taking some time with your gratitude journal can get you in the frame of mind to see stressors as a challenge rather than a threat, which makes the difference between feeling exhausted and exhilarated by the end of the day. Taking ten minutes to set goals can help you get to a future that's less stressful than your present. Either way, it's ten minutes well spent.
• Meditation
  Many people think that they don't have time for meditation, or that it 'doesn't count' if they don't spend at least 20 or 30 minutes in the lotus position. Actually, as little as 5 minutes of meditation can be effective for stress relief, and 10 minutes can be even more helpful. If you're a beginner, it's best to start in small increments anyway. So take your extra 10 minutes and read this article on how to meditate, and begin an excellent new stress management habit!

With 30 to 60 Extra Minutes

• Exercise
  Working out brings many fabulous stress management benefits: a boost to your mood, more energy and an outlet to blow off steam, among other things. (See this article for more benefits of exercise.) Most people don't exercise because they can't seem to find the time, but if you have an extra 30 minutes, you can get a great workout at home. If you're realistic with setting goals, this can be your inspiration for starting an excellent new exercise habit that can benefit you in many areas of your life. (And--who knows?--you may just get in amazing shape by the holidays!)
• Great Sex
  Good sex within a committed relationship brings some terrific benefits of its own, so now that you have some extra time, you and your partner can use 'the buddy system' to help relieve each other's stress! Strengthening your relationship can also add another layer of stress coping to your arsenal, so it's an investment that can really pay off.
• Visit The Stress Management Forum
  Okay, so it may not take a full half-hour to peruse the forum (you can get in and out in much less time), but why limit yourself? The Stress Management Forum offers a place where you can ask questions and give answers, request and offer support, and take a break from the stressors of your life--or delve into how to better cope with them. Why not stop by and check it out?