I have several favorites when it comes to stress relief. First is
my weekly workout. I take NIA classes three times a week, and I always
feel loosened up and energized afterward. NIA is a fusion fitness class
that incorporates elements of dance, martial arts, and yoga. The goal
of each class is always to move the body in a way that feels natural
and joyful. I used to dance when I was a teenager, and NIA fills my
need to channel music through my body.
My second method of stress relief is getting together with a close
friend and talking for hours on end. I'm really nourished by intimacy,
and I have some wonderful friends who are brilliant, self-aware, and
funny as hell. Spending time with any of them helps me to get stress
out of my system because I can rant about problems, feel close to
someone I care about, and laugh at myself.
My third method is to curl up in a blanket and watch a favorite movie that goes with my mood. Someday I hope to write a book or a blog about all my recommendations for soothing movies and tv shows. For instance, when I'm pissed at my husband, I like to watch "Something to Talk About," a great Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid movie about a relationship that suffers a hard blow, but ultimately is redeemable. When I'm in a mood where life just seems too serious and too sad, I like to watch "Scrubs" or pre-season-five episodes of "The West Wing," because they present a version of reality that is warming and often funny, yet with touches of real drama. They help me remember that bad things can be overcome.
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