Express Your Stress

Sometimes when the pressure becomes too much, it helps to transfer your
internal stress to an external object. No, this does not mean slashing a tire
or kicking a dog, though given what follows, those actions may seem rather tame
in comparison! We will take a look at ten ways you can relieve yourself
through physical actions.

The first method is usually what comes to mind when most people think of
actions designed to relieve stress: squeezing the life out of a stress ball. A
tennis ball can substitute for a stress ball. You could also use one of those
grip strengtheners available from fitness outlets.

The second method is for those who do not want to pull any punches: hammering
and pounding a boxing bag, externalizing your stress in the dead weight that
hangs before you. This is not only an effective form of stress relief; it is
also an effective form of aerobic exercise. It is ironic that stress may have
some health value for you after all!

The third method is guaranteed to send a shock through your system and displace
stress in the process: sprinting as hard as you can for as long as you can. If
you are brave, you may decide to sprint up a hill or some other steep incline.
This kind of intense burst of activity will produce endorphins in your body,
the natural anti-stress drugs.

The fourth method comes from the cult comedy movie Office Space: totally
trashing a piece of technology! This is a good one for those of you who have to
contend with the annoying quirks and irritating foibles of modern technology.
In the movie, the characters trash an office printer/copier that has been the
source of untold grief. So if you feel like expressing your primal side, grab a
baseball bat and reduce a piece of technology to a metal-and-silicon scrap
heap!

The fifth method is a classic one for those annoying bosses and other risks to
your sanity: the good ol’ dartboard. Pin the visage of your nemesis on the
dartboard and puncture that smug expression!

The sixth method may not be to the political tastes of everyone: visiting the
local shooting range. There is something psychologically disarming about firing
a gun, something that leaves you feeling pretty mellow after the act. If
wielding a gun is not to your liking, or if you do not know of a local shooting
range, consider an excellent substitute: paintball skirmish. It is almost
impossible to jump into action with a paintball gun, go wild, have laughs, and
still remain stressed out in the end.

The seventh method is for the couch potato: a shoot-’em-up video game or
something else full of action and daring adventure. Although it would be better
for you to get outside and do something more active, playing a video game at
least lets you relieve yourself vicariously through the victories of your game
characters.

The eighth method is a good one if you have a circus or fair in town or
something similar: bumper cars. It is probably the closest thing to
Fast-and-the-Furious car action that you can legally get away with doing!

The ninth method is for all you motorcyclists out there: turning your nearest
rural road into your own personal racetrack. The wind blowing in your face
seems to have both a literal and figurative cooling effect.

The tenth and final method requires nerves of steel: treating yourself to the
skydiving or bungee experience. Often a great way of dealing with stress is
getting back in touch with your fear-based survival instincts and your will to
live.