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Readers Respond: What Are Your Most Effective Stress Relievers?
Responses: 12

By , About.com Guide

User responses are not monitored by About.com's Medical Review Board.

Stress relievers are important in the midst of all the economic, job-related and relationship stresses people face. And because needs are complex, it's important to know about a variety of effective stress relievers to use in the many stressful situations we all face. I this article I share 25 stress relievers that work, and link to more, but there are always more to know about, and I'd like to hear from you! What are your best stress relievers? Share them here, and see what works for others! (Just no spam, please.) Share Stress Relievers!

Buddhist Teachings

I've been reading and listening to Pema Chodron. She is a Buddhist nun and her teachings have helped me enormously. I lost my job this week and I think all of the things she talks about helped me cope with the loss. I especially recommend "Don't Bite the Hook".
—Guest Carol

DD

Dance or Drive...I turn on some music and dance it helps me relax and just forget about the issues I have to deal with, I also go on a drive I love cars and driving so it helps me relax a lot.
—Guest SapphireEyes

Walk Away From It All!

I like taking long walks when I'm stressed. Sometimes I go with a friend or my husband, sometimes I go with my iPod, sometimes it's just by myself, but invariably, I'll start feeling better somewhere along the way.
—Guest Sybil

Massage

Get a massage. It works. It lets all your stress out in a way that feels amazing!
—Guest Mel mel

Poked

Getting tattoos is my stress reliever. I just got one done a half hour ago and I was falling asleep with getting it done. I feel so much better after getting one done.
—Guest Mikey D

Keep Moving

I just keep moving and keep busy doing something productive, especially at work where most of my co-workers like to talk, gossip, and complain. I need my job in housekeeping to get a free education at the university two blocks from home:)
—Guest Glenda

Chocolate as a Stress Reliever

I eat chocolate when I am stressed out. It makes me feel good and relaxed.
—Guest Ayosha

Breathing & Mini mind Vacations

These are my favorite first responses & normal daily living techniques.
—nightowlgail

Eating a Lot of Carbs

I know, bad idea, but hey, it's the truth. I am a carb-a-holic and when I am really stressed out and have had a bad day, point me in the direction of the carbs. I love them and they make me feel so warm and fuzzy afterwards!
—djtcopd

I'm a Goofball

I like to joke around and goof off to diffuse tension. My kids think I'm a little crazy, but they like their fun dad, and I stay relatively low-stress.
—Guest IOComposer

Music

I can find a cathartic song for any mood--if I'm stressed and I find the right song, I can play it loud and feel better pretty quickly. (I remind myself of Tom Cruise in that 'Free Fallin' scene in Jerry McGuire.) It works, though.
—Guest Smiley369

The Bad Stuff!

I know I should say 'meditation' or 'yoga' or one of those healthy-lifestyle things, but honestly, chocolate is my go-to stress reliever! It makes me feel like I'm getting a treat, and then I'm a little happier and more willing to face down my stressors. (Thank goodness I have a fast metabolism!)
—Guest CreativeCat

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What Are Your Most Effective Stress Relievers?

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