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Six Simple Tips To Take You From Rarr to Ahhhh

28 August, 2017 - 09:54pm by - Head Pixie | 16 Comments

By BR Kellie

I have a little wrinkly worm that runs between my brows. It’s about an inch and a bit long. It’s a little wonky. It’s deep enough that I think botulinum toxin would have little to no impact on it. And I hate it. Mainly because I was the cause of it. You see whenever I feel angry or stressed my brows knit together, reinforcing that wrinkle. Back in the day I didn’t know how to deal with that anger and stress, hence why the wrinkle is so prominent. These days, stress still rears its ugly head and once in a blue moon I’ll get my grump on, but that wrinkle? Well it doesn’t get the chance to deepen all that often, because I’ve learnt some really easy tips to help me keep calm and carry on even when I feel like beating life over the head with a metal truncheon.

Worse thing you can say to an angry person? Breathe. But if you’re angry, breathing can help. Not just any old breathing but the deep cleansing breathing that I was taught in yoga class. Basically you sit up nice and tall and take in breath through your nose, send it down to your stomach, allow it to inflate your rib cage and chest and continue breathing in that one breath until it feels like the air has reached the back of your throat. Then slowly release that breath, imagining the stress leaving your body as you do. Rinse and repeat three times. More if you feel you need to.

Another tip I learnt in yoga was to ‘scan’ your body when you’re feeling tense about things. Basically you’re checking in with yourself. Lie down, then starting at the tips of your toes and slowing working your way up you pay attention to each and every bit of your body. If it feels tense you mentally release that tension. Sounds a little loopy, I know, but it really can make a difference to how you feel.

Speaking of lying down and releasing tension. If you’re struggling to go to sleep at night because you’re wired and your brain refuses to shush – tense your whole body up. Every single muscle. Hard as you can. Then slowly, starting from your toes go through your body relaxing each bit, piece by piece. I don’t know how this works because I’m no expert and it was taught to me by my high school media/drama/I'm-old-and-can't-remember-the-term-for-that-particular-class-because-it-was-so-long-ago teacher, but to this day over two decades later (gulp) I still use this technique and it works a treat for sending me off to sleep.

Not a fan of all this sitting still and breathing stuff? Getting active is also a great way to move on that rarr-ness. A quick storm around the block can work wonders – especially if it’s getting you away from the source of your stress.

Another way to shrug off the stress is to blast some music. A little Rage Against the Machine has seen me rail against the injustices of the world, only to come out feeling stronger and more capable of taking on whatever life wanted to throw at me. Although these days I’m more likely to throw on ‘Walking on Sunshine’ by Katrina & The Waves – fake it ‘til you make it, baby. 

Speaking of waves… my last tried and true tip for saying sayonara to the rarr? Get in water or hang out by it. I swear water has the most magical healing power. When the world gets too much I run a bath and wallow in the water. If I don’t have time to bathe I jump in the shower, curl up and let the water run over me for ten minutes. If I’m nowhere near a shower or bath I find a water source, be it the ocean, harbour, lake or river and I sit next to it, watch the water drift in and out, race downstream, trickle over rocks. I take in the sound of the water, pay attention to the light dancing upon it, and after a time all the woes in the world recede. Calm is restored. And that wrinkle-worm of mine once again softens.

So those are my top tips to send away stress and to achieve victory over anger. What are your tips and tricks? Sharing is caring!

(Please note, these tips are aimed at regular stress and flashes of anger, but if you’re concerned you’re experiencing anxiety, or that the stress/anger is causing you mental or physical health issues, please see a health practitioner.)

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Comments

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5th September, 2017

Hehe the little wrinkly worm that sounds cute though! For me to relieve my stress. I write it all down. A piece of paper can not judge or answer back. It is always there for you to let all those feelings out. Another thing I love to do is similar to your water one, I walk in nature. Nature is very calming for me, especially over our farm. I love the birds and the trees and how everything is just so serene. It definitely makes my head less cloudy. Another form of stress relief is I sing to my fave songs or dance to my fave songs. One last one, it may sound odd but it works for me.....I sit in a paddock on our farm and just exist among the cows. They sniff me and are nosy but I just sit and watch them all. They are just such calming animals for me, much like a dog or cat for others I guess.

3rd September, 2017

A good stress reliever for me is music. I used to always binge on chocolate and bad food as I thought it would make me feel better but it actually makes me feel worse. Music always seems to calm me and make me feel better. Its not any specific music, I guess just what I feel in the mood for at the time. If I actually get hot water after all the kids have all showered, the next best thing is a nice hot bath with either essential oils, bath salts or bath bombs. Oh and a good book and music in the background. If I don't have time for a bath, then a nice hot shower with my favourite products and a good scrub.

1st September, 2017

My trick is yoga and in the morning so that you are stress free throughout the day and I liked your article too but only if everyone can take out that much time in their daily busy life.

1st September, 2017

I'm pretty stressed most of the time: I work full time, have a 4 year old and suffer from a few physical issues - hip dysplasia (need new hips), arthritis and scoliosis to name a couple. So it's hard for me to try and relax at home or work. The beach/water tip is a good one :)

31st August, 2017

I love this article! When I'm stressed a beer or wine with Music calms me down. I like to step outside and take a few minutes for myself :)

29th August, 2017

Sometimes when I find I'm really mad about something or something is really bugging me I'll throw a tantrum in my room like a three year old. Complete with the thrashing on the ground, stomping, and swearing my brains out. Then 5 minutes later I feel much better!

29th August, 2017

I actually ask myself, Will it solve the problem or help the situation if I am stressed? The answer is no!, so I tend to try and not get stressed. There is the odd time when that dosent work so then I usually eat bad things :[

29th August, 2017

I find that pottering around cleaning my house is quite soothing. I think it's the routine? Ironing and mowing the lawn are two favourites. Also, moving my body physically. I need to do stretches, or walk/run or swim. Water helps too. The ritual of showering or bathing. And the ocean is my happy place. In it or by it...just makes my world better.

29th August, 2017

I love the tensing the body tip! going to try that next time I cant sleep. Great tips, and I love the after note xx

29th August, 2017

I let myself be angry with the problem or situation but I do something about it. For example, over the weekend I was making lasgna, spent several hours chopping and cooking the ingredients, making the sauce, etc. and then assembled it and put it in the heated oven. Fifteen minutes into that the glass tray cracked and exploded sending glass and almost all of dinner. Although I'm a pretty calm tempered person and don't use four taboo words much, I used one or two as I gazed at my casserole rendered useless due to a baking dish not holding up. I was angry as I turned the oven off and cleaned out the glass and food out of the hot oven as best I could and then sprayed vinegar and sprinkled baking soda on the food splatters. We opted to grab some quick cheap, already cooked food from the supermarket that night. The next day I cleaned out the oven, once the problems were solved I wasn't angry any more.

29th August, 2017

I love foot baths because its my closest to having a full bath. Also love wax melts.

29th August, 2017

A nice walk on the beach with some deep breathing :)

29th August, 2017

I like these types of articles. A good reminder that wellbeing is an important component of daily life. I find that writing down my feelings helps, as well as music. It's important to acknowledge it, so that it doesn't get too much, but allow enough time and move on. It's not to dwell on it either

29th August, 2017

Great article - I have one of those worms too but mainly from concentrating too hard at the computer .I agree water is a great soother -nothing like a good walk along the beach , a long soak is a deep bath , mineral pools -I even love walking in the rain as long as I am on the way home and can have a nice hot shower when I get there.

29th August, 2017

I find myself walking till my legs hurt, of course you then have to walk home and then pain in your legs sure has taken your mind off things

MareeB
30th August, 2017

Yeah me too - along hot bath is soo relaxing, especially with something scented and sweet in it.

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