Here for a quick check in. This sums up my week…
:Daze:
Let me reinforce that…I haven’t practiced yoga in a week…and with the lack of yoga has come a sizable increase in coffee and ice cream consumption. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.
Thanks for the great comments on Stef’s guest post today! Here is a quick look at my day.
Breakfast – peach, blueberry and banana oatmeal made with peaches so juicy and sweet that I could cry that summer will be over soon.
Lunch – herb mayo, roasted eggplant, tomato and munster on Great Harvest honey whole wheat with strawberries and cantaloupe.
Oatmeal butterscotch cookie split with Brandon.
Dinner – grilled barbecue chicken, farmers market pink-eyed peas, roasted zucchini and cornbread.
Dessert, of course, ice cream. Vanilla with strawberries, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and chocolate syrup. Yep, I feel better now.
And finally to thank you for your patience and support…y’all are always awesome but recently I’ve been blown away by your kindness and encouragement…I will bake for you this weekend.
Yep, the peanut butter chocolate chip bars. I’ll pick TWO winners. All I’m asking is that you tell me one (positive and healthy) way that you deal with stress.
And go! You have until midnight Friday to enter. I’ll announce the winners on Saturday.
TGIF!!!!!!!
Stay tuned for a yoga-themed guest post tomorrow!
Walks with my 3 month old niece. I may sound crazy but I talk to her like she is an adult and it helps relieve stress, plus there is nothing better than a precious baby to make anyone feel better.
I’m not too awesome at dealing with stress in a healthy way… I have a tendency to gravitate towards cookie dough. BUT when I do manage to get out for a run, it definitely helps a lot!
There is nothing I find that relieves stress better than a long play session with my dog! She’s big and strong, and playing tug-o-war with her and hearing her barks of joy really makes all my tension disappear. Well, maybe not *all* of it, but any residual tension is eased with a glass of red wine!
Walking my two dogs it’s the best for stress
I like to snuggle with my puppies!
Walking my dog is the ultimate stress reliever. Nothing makes me forget about my worries more than seeing how happy Max is on a long walk.
Going for a walk with my husband really helps relieve stress. There’s something nice about just being outside, chatting with my love that makes me feel better when I’m stressing.
Going for a nice, long run with my 1/2 marathon running group gets me every time.
I started running again. Its been helping…
Just talking, joking around, and laughing hysterically with my roommates at school is one of the ultimate stress-busters for me…one of the best feelings out there when you’re laughing til tears are forming and your abs hurt from it all! Plus I find that just thinking back to times like those immediately calms me down and puts a huge smile on my face
When I’m stressed I like to go to the gym or out running and push myself extra hard. I usually can’t control what I’m stressing about, so it feels good to control my calorie burn!
I love your baked giveaways! 🙂
Lately, if I have a bad day, I write an e-mail to my husband. His responses always make me feel better. This past week I had a particularly bad day and he wrote back that I was the most sweetest and nicest person that he knows and that my cheerful attitude would overcome whatever was bothering me. That really lifted my spirits.
this is so sweet. that would lift my spirits too!
I’m seriously DYING for your peanut butter chocolate chip bars- that would make me a happy camper. :-)As cliche as it sounds I like a bubble bath and a glass of wine at the end of the day to cope with stress.
I do meditation or running. The nice thing about meditation is you don’t have to do it very long to get benefit from it. Another thing that I like to work on remembering is making my shoulders relax. During days when I’m especially stressed they get so tensed and tight without me realizing it. Reminding myself to physically relax them as an effect on my overall emotional state as well.
I love running, yoga, cooking (chopping is therapeutic), and knitting, but I have to say, a hike with my dog Charlie is my very favorite way to relieve stress! Beautiful trails, fresh air, and a happy puppers – there’s nothing better!
cooking is a huge stress reliever for me too!
I read your blog;) and I walk my doggies!! Xo
bonus points! 😉
I actually find that baking a yummy dessert for a friend who could use a little pick me up is a great way to relieve my own stress. Something about putting my time into a labor of love for someone else always helps me to realize that whatever I’m stressed out about will not end my world. And of course when I’m baking these goodies for my friends, I always make extras so I can enjoy a little treat as well…chocolate is my number 2 stress reliever of course!
i love the idea of doing something for others…remembering that what is going on in our own crazy lives is just a small piece of the big puzzle.
Perfect ways to destress: run outside with just me and my music or unwind with a comedy show and laugh out loud as hard as I can! 😀
To deal with stress nothing calms my mind better than a long run.
Running & yoga. My two favorite stress relievers.
an at-home mud mask, or a good hot shower complete with blow drying my hair while actually using a round brush. something about not rushing through it (like i do everyday and resort to a pony or bun) and taking the time to put effort into myself, even if i slip into pj’s and go straight back to the couch.
a hot shower always helps me unwind!
I deal with stress by trying to take care of myself, despite all the hardships I may be going through. My go-to form of stress relief is definitely running. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway, Jen!
That lunch looks amazing 🙂
Ice cream with white chocolate chips and strawberries? A girl after my own heart!
My favorite way to deal with stress is to live like I’m a kid. I’ll take my son to the park, chase him around the playground, play hide-and-seek with all the other kids…it’s amazing how your stress disappears when you act like you’re five years old again.
When I feel stressed I make sure to have some “me time.” Maybe that is a walk around the block to breathe and clear my head, or giving my self a home mani/pedi. Baking is also therapeutic for me. I turn on some relaxing music and just have some down time in the kitchen. Weird but it helps me!
Quiet time puttering around in the garden is very relaxing. I love being out there and listening to the hum of bumble bees. If I’m feeling less motivated, a nice hot bath and a book generally do the trick. That was me last night – hot bath, reading, early bedtime. I topped it off with missing my 5am wake up for yoga….a little sleeping in never hurt!
Jen,
I pull weeds in my flower beds. There’s just something about jerking those suckers up by their roots that relieves stress! In the winter when that’s harder to do, I put my earphones in, crank up the volume and hit the weights (hard). I do this the rest of the year also but weed pulling is my #1 pleasure in stress relief. As for you not getting on the mat this week, I had a week like that last week and my body was begging for some mat time. Hope you get yours on soon. I always look forward to your posts and encouragement!
my yard would greatly benefit from me taking my stress out on weeds right now! 😉
thank you for your comment. i’m going to get to my mat this weekend!
I’m sure this is totally unoriginal but a quiet evening with a good book and a glass of vino help me unwind. I would say working out but I do that anyway – and I know that without it, I am an insomniac stressball nutcase. So, really, working out is #1 but I think that’s probably more unoriginal than reading and drinking wine! 🙂
um…i don’t even want to think about what i would be like if i couldn’t work out. insomniac stressball nutcase seems like a good description!
i really like to read a book before bed and get off the computer! lets me take my mind somewhere else!
This one’s easy – running! There is nothing like a long, easy-paced run to do some thinking and clear your head. And the endorphins don’t hurt either!
When I have a lot on my plate, I always remind myself of the reasons WHY my world seems to be spinning faster than normal. I have to say “this is what you WANTED”, and I take a step back and meditate on what makes me happy. Honestly, I just have to sit by myself and be quiet to reconnect with my goals. Oh, did I mention wine? what I really meant was, I handle stress with a good glass of wine 🙂
wine is a plus! hehe.
sarah – great point on “this is what you wanted” and reconnecting with goals!
and yes, a glass of wine helps that sink in! 😉
oh those look delicious! Happy Baking weekend! I’ll take some. I relieve stress by going to yoga or taking my pups for a hike. Nature calms me..
🙂
i have a few different ways I deal with stress. Healthy- spending some extra time with my bf/ or friends, work out/run/wine –(thats healthy right?!)
otherwise, chocolate, ice cream
My stress is usually child induced. I find that the best solution for Camille’s acting out is to stop what ever we are doing, pick out a book, and read together in my rocker. It takes the edge off for both of us and helps me remember how wonderful and perfect a creation she is! PB bars for me please!!
xoxo to you both!
running! or sometimes i splurge for a massage after a yoga class!
I am lucky to have a sweet boyfriend who makes me laugh and helps me work out stress; as a backup, going to the gym for a good workout always gets me back on track! So does eating chocolate, or retail theapy :o)
The best way for me to destress is a run with no music, concentrating on my breathing- every exhale is pushing out the stress, every inhlae is bringing in the relaxation!
love, love, love this
A sweaty workout followed by a big glass of red wine and vegging out on the couch! Also a pedicure always seems to help!
So many ways but what works best is a good cry and a call to my mom!
gotta love moms…i can call my mom and not even say the first word before she says, “what’s wrong.”
When I’m stressed I like to take the time to either read my book or read a magazine. Its something that is just for you and always takes me away from the stress. Also, a bubble bath with a glass or red wine never hurts! Love you’re blog! 🙂
That ice cream bowl looks SO good! To destress I like to run, practice yoga or bake. Yoga is really the only thing that actually makes me forget why I’m stressed in the first place.
As simple as it sounds, I deal best with stress by breathing deeply. When I feel my blood pressure start to rise because of a bad driver or a messy house, I stop and breathe in deeply through my nose and out through my mouth- instant calming effect! 🙂
brittany – this is a great tip. focusing on breath is a great way to ground yourself and calm your mind and body!
I relieve stress in 2 ways: Yoga and snuggling with my daughters, one on each side, as they either read to me or tell me all about their day.
love this. so sweet. 😛
Running/walking at the beach! Hearing the waves crash and seeing everyone exercising is relaxing! Also cleaning let’s out a ton of stress for me!
oooohhh….i wish i was at the beach right now.
Stop and focus on what I have accomplished so far and let some confidence build inside… big deep breaths help so much when times are stressful 🙂 I can do that anywhere/anytime… I love to exercise too while I am stressed (crossfit or run then some yoga)! Thanks, the bars look de-lish!!
I love to take a long walk with one or both of my kids. They stop and look at every little thing and it really makes me slow down and notice my surroundings! I immediately feel better when we get back!
I Run!!!! And I release lots and lots of endorphins like its my job.. and then I feel much better! 🙂
running or hot yoga, takes the stress edge off, i always feel so much better
Running is my stress reliever, I love it!
A cold beer, a good book, or a long walk with my family. Any of those usually works!
Bikram yoga is my go-to stress reliever–I LOVE it! Also, I’m big on eating crunchy foods at work when I get stressed out so I always have to keep a stock of carrots or light popcorn (I feel like crunchy foods are more cathartic for some reason?). If all else fails, a good book and a night on the couch usually is a pretty safe cure all. 🙂
Sadly, my good and bad coping mechanisms for dealing with stress are the same. Exercising makes me feel good, but when it’s a particularly rough day, I work out TOO much (I know it sounds impossible, but coming from someone who has a background of compulsive over-exercising, it’s definitely not a good thing).
katie – i think the fact that you realize the behavior is huge!
I find that the gym is a great stress reliever…putting on some fun music and rocking out on the elliptical (or whatever I’m feelin’ that day) really helps! Sweat the stress out, I say!
Yoga keeps me stable when I am stressed out, but if I can’t squeeze it in. Red wine always helps!
Definitly a long run…the best activity to relieve stress!
60-second dance party. I put on some fun, danceable pop music for a minute and dance my heart out. By the end, I’m usually in a MUCH better mood.
love! so fun!
we had to do this kind of stuff in yoga teacher training before we had to get up and teach in order to get out of our heads. it works!
When I’m stressed (which I feel has been a lot more lately) I normally use all my negative energy and push myself extra hard at the gym. Running is my go to cardio of choice. I also like to take a long walk by myself and try to look at all the things that are “weighing” me down and TRY to think positive and say to myself, ‘Someone else out there has it way worse than I do!”
Definitely a workout and sometimes just a long shower. Hope you’re feeling a bit less stressed soon!
Sara
I find that running is a great stress reliever for me. Dessert works too, of course. 🙂
I hope you are feeling better!
Recently, I’ve found running really helps with my stress. I usually do it without music so it’s just me and my thoughts. Another way I’ve found, is just sitting in my room without anyone to disturb me. I have my laptop and music on, and I’m just relaxing without thinking of anything.
it will all be over soon jen (whatever it is!)
running is my greatest stress reliever but sometimes just vegging out on the couch and watching a 30-minute TV show helps (i recommend house hunters international and then you can pretend you are on vacation)!
i hope i win those PB choc chips bars – they always look so amazing!
anytime i’m stressed i call my mom! she always knows the right thing to say…moms are the best!
I find that running the treadmill or outside (depending on the heat factor) instantly puts me in a better, more positive mood 🙂
Definitely running!!!!
Chatting on the phone w/ one someone from my ‘core’ — husband, mom, dad, sister, grandma or best friend. I call them my core b/c they are the ones who fill my heart.
Going for a walk with my husband. We’ll just chat about what’s going on in our lives and we always feel better after!
Running and Yoga are always great stress relievers. Also, calling a friend to chat, or turning on a funny TV show..I like watching friends!
Here are several things that help me: A short but intense exercise session. Sleep. Making lists. Taking Emergen-C–I always worry that stress will make me sick, but Emergen-C at least makes me feel like I’m preventing it.
Whenever I’m stressed I always take a literal step back and close my eyes. If I’m running myself ragged, I will prioritize what needs to be done in the next 20 minutes, then I will go for a 10-20 minute run. The endorphins always seem to cool me down!
I do laundry! As weird as it sounds, the smell and warmth of folding clean clothes de-stresses me!
One positive way that I deal with stress is flipping my way of thinking so that in every situation I cultivate an attitude of gratefulness. If I’m stressed about school, I just flip my way of thinking and think about how grateful I am that I was accepted to the program, have a wonderful group of professors, and how grateful I am that I get to serve children and families. If I’m stressed and overwhelmed about being a single mom, I think about how grateful I am to have little clothes to wash, little socks to fold, and little hands to hold. Yes, there are dirty finger prints everywhere and my house is NEVER clean, but I am so unbelievably grateful to have the little person those fingerprints belong to…even on the worst of days. If I’m stressed about teaching a yoga, I think about the group of yogis that are in the room. Some of them got up at 6:30 in the morning to come and take a yoga class. Some of them have been up all night with sick kids. Some of them have worked 12 hour shifts at a hospital. Yet, they are still rolling out their mats. I am so incredibly grateful to them for coming and giving me the opportunity to lead them through their yoga practice…what a pleasure and honor it is. In our lives we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.
i love you and i think you should write a guest post for my blog! your words are beautiful! 🙂
Probably sounds crazy, but I clean! There is something so gratifying about the end result, plus it takes my mind off of everything else. And since no one else in my house likes to clean it usually means I get some peaceful alone time too! 🙂
I’m a lot more stressed these days chasing around my 1yr old daughter so any break I get to destress, I take full advantage! I love to read blogs, organize my house, take @@@my daughter for walks and my favorite, shopping!
dog walks!!!!
hope your week slows down so you can relax this weekend 🙂
I read a book. It’s the easiest way to distract myself from stress and allows me to
escape whatever is going on even if only for a little while.
I like to leave the house and all my worries behind and take a day trip or a weekend road trip with my husband or a close friend. Or, I may take myself on a ‘self-date’, to the park or a museum.
Jen-I am new to the blog,and really inspired by it! Thank you!
Hang in there girl! I would love to try your home baked goods!
My advice, take time out for yourself. By being at your best, you can be your best for the other people in your life. How you spend that time is up you. Journaling often helps me.
Like you, I sometimes deal with stress in less healthy ways (eating ice cream being a personal favorite). However, I usually find that taking my dog, Nutmeg, on a walk with my husband is a much better stress reliever. Either that, or taking a hot bath and then getting under the sheets and reading a magazine.
Either with chocolate or a kick boxing class!
Here lately I have found the best way to deal with stress is going outside and breathing in the fresh air as well as finding gratitude after a great yoga practice!
I have numerous unhealthy ways to deal with stress, generally involving foods with lots of sugar! My healthiest ways of dealing with stress are taking my dogs for a walk and taking short, five minutes breaks to go outside in the middle of a stressful work day. Somehow, those five minutes breathing real air and feeling the sun on my back are enough to release a huge amount of tension.
It definitely depends on what type of stress it is. Usually writing a list of everything I need to get done helps!
Meditate! Even for 5 minutes concentrate on your breathing. It always calms me.
When I’m stressed, the best thing I can think of is a looooong hug from my husband. I get to tell him all about the stressful of the day while in our embrace and that just seems to make the day melt away. Plus he’s a really good hugger!
I’ve learned that I tend to let the stress consume me until I feel like I can’t go on. I help to keep this in check by talking about it with my boyfriend. He’s a great listener and sometimes it feels so good to let it alllll out. I also will step away for a sec and do a few downward dogs and deep breaths. This always helps! I know they always say to use exercise as a stress reliever, and I’ve just recently “understood” this. Ha! Now, I know a good sweat session does wonders to improve my outlook!
I used to go for runs but w/ knee surgery that has prevented those…it’s all about my favorite music and a forced time out from the world!
Dealing with stress. Who’s stressed??!! Usually the worse is in the evening when I tend to worry. I’m learning (finally!) to rationalize these moments. I ask myself “Is it something I can control or change?” If it is something I simply cannot change or control I clean my house. This reminds me that even though I may be going through a tough time, I am still blessed with all that I have, literally, in my life.
I use running to release my stress…and ice cream helps too 🙂
I deal with my stress by having some “alone” time – either at the park, library, or local coffee shop – just myself, my thoughts, and usually a good book. About an hour of that and I am on the road to healing!
running and ice cream!
The best way I deal with stress is music and a good workout!!
long walk with my husband and baby and going to a book store and reading the latest issues of House Beautiful, Cooking Light, People, etc. very random I know!!!
Running & Shopping…sometimes simultaneously:)
I always feel better after a run. Always.
The most healthy way I find to deal with stress is a good, long walk around one of the beautiful Minnesota lakes. Smelling the fresh lake air does wonders to clear the mind and make one relax. That and talking to my mom on the phone 🙂 That’s what mom’s are for!
I get my boooo-tayyy in the kitchen! Cooking seems to melt my stress away..and the finished product doesn’t hurt one bit either 🙂
Spinning is definitely a good stress release for me. I love zoning out to the loud music in the dark room… but cuddling with my puppy is pretty magical too!
I’ve been super stressed lately with work deadlines, exams, and, like you, an irritating hamstring injury that keeps me from running!:[ As girly as it sounds I like to unwind with a yummy scented candle and a hot bubble bath. It’s also the perfect time to give myself a quick at home facial because stress makes my face break out like nobody’s business.
ps: This is my first time commenting and I just wanted you to know I REALLY love your blog and I read it every day! I hope your week gets better!! <3
I try to do something active, whether it’s going for a walk with my husband or hitting the gym. Sometimes a glass of wine and a good book is what relaxes me as well.
Love your blog, it’s very inspirational.
Being stressed out is never a good time, I feel for you! One of my favorite de-stressors is going for a run to just let my mind wander and let the miles fly by. It almost always helps clear my head and makes me feel relaxed, if all else fails a glass of red wine is a sure bet 😉
Time outside in the sunshine, exercise, and me time!
I am drooling over your sandwich, looks so amazing!!!
Best way to relieve stress: a hot, sweaty workout!
Yummm – looks delicious! Definitely excercise – yoga and running are my #1, but road biking is a close second. And just taking some really deep, slow breaths.
Exercise!! 🙂 Also, talking to family or friends and prayer works for me. And keeping things in perspective- looking at all the things I have to do as blessings, I am so grateful to have a full busy life, even though it can be stressful at times.
personally i like to use ice cream to power me through as well 🙂 but i also sometimes just have to step away from it all and literally NOT do what i’m supposed to do-rebel a bit-go out and do something fun (last night it was walking to Dairy Queen with my husband. ha still included ice cream) and then tackle whatever it is at a later time!
My favorite thing to do when stressed is to curl up on the couch with my two little doggies and my husband and snuggle under a blanket. We will either turn on one of our favorite movies (Dumb and Dumber or ELf) and/or just talk through whatever is bugging me. It always works!
If I’m angry-stressed, I find screaming at the top of my lungs in the car for about 10 seconds to be very therapeutic. It normally leads me to laugh at myself and I feel better. Others sorts of stressed are helped with nail-painting or baking.
A great body pump class is the best stress reliever!
Whenever I’m super stressed, I clean my house from top to bottom. Afterward, I can’t remember what I was so stressed over because I am too busy admiring my gleaming home! Win win!
I do yoga to de-stress!
When I’m stressed I always like a fresh start. This usually means making the best list ever with all positive things I want to accomplish (I love lists!), doing some form of a workout and taking a “me” day which includes a latte, pedicure/manicure and reading outside. Keep smiling everything will work out for the best 🙂
I lace up my shoes and go for a run when I am stressed! And play with my lab!
LOVE YOUR BLOG!
exercising is a great way to help me with stress. i also love reading, and that helps me relax too.
Laughing with friends and running!!!!
Walking my happy dog. It makes all my worries go away!!
I love to soak in a hot bubble bath.
I deal with stress best through getting outside for some exercise! That is the reason I love exercise in the first place-I firmly believe it is the best way to cope with stress and it just always seems to enhance all the other areas of my life in such a meaningful way. I prefer to get out with my little dachshund Daisy. She has tiny little legs but tons of energy and typically motivates me to go faster. Plus she is so adorable that I can’t help but smile even during stressful times : )
ah I’m definitely in a stressful place right now as well! I can definitely tell that my sugar and snack cravings are up. I hope things are going well for you and will slow back down soon!