Some Ways I Relieve Stress

Well my friend Amy, had this great idea on sharing tips on relieving stress. So go over to her blog, read her entry on her battle plan for stress, and then read her comments for more ideas.

Now I'll share some of my stress relievers. I am afraid that I am not very good at recognizing the stress. I tend to go and go and go. Then all of the sudden I burst, and don't even know I was stressed until I am bawling on the phone to my mommy about my hard day. LOL!

But there are a few things that I do try to do every day that does help me some. Everyday, my kids have a "quiet time" for about two to two and half hours. Even if they don't sleep, they can play quietly. But they are not allowed to come out of their rooms. Tiny Boy still naps pretty soundly so thats good. ;-)

Sweetie and Bean play in separate rooms this keeps scraps from happening and having to deal with those during my break time.

This *greatly* helps me to take on the day.

Another thing that I enjoy doing is taking a nap. Most days I don't get much of one, because the girls always peek their heads out of their doors to tell me something that *cannot* wait. But any little sleep does help.

Before, when I was consistent in exercise, that helped me out *SO* much. And now that I am trying to get back into regular exercise, I am finding out about that benefit once again.

There is nothing like a hot cup of "caffeinated" coffee thickly flavored with artficial creamers, playing on the Internet, or blogging. ;-)

Reading is also a great way to relax. But I am finding at this season in my life, that I tend to fall asleep when I sit down to read, lol!

When hubby gets home and the kids go to bed, another favorite way to de-stress is to spend time watching a movie with him. And then falling asleep talking to each other about our days. Being married is great!

To be honest with you ladies. Many people say that reading the Bible before the day begins helps them. It doesn't me. For a long time I was struggling in my relationship with the Lord. And I would feel guilty for not getting a "rhema" for the day like it seemed to happen for most people.

So I read the Bible here and there. Or the Lord sends me a verse to comfort me or encourage me in unconventional ways.

In essence, I felt guilty if I didn't cross my bible reading off my "to do" list. Now I read the Bible because I want to, not because I have to. And oddly enough, I have learned SO much these past three years *from* the Bible and so many sciptures are almost memorized. Not completely, but enough, to where I know MUCH of the verse. And I didn't even try. I just let the Lord work.

Now I am not against reading Bibles at the start of the day, but the idea of it stressed me out even more. So I just let the Lord lead me in what he wanted me to learn through his Word. It may change, but that is what's working for me right now.

Playing the piano also helps to distress me. I can play out all of my emotions and make beautiful music in the process, LOL!

So those are a few of my tips. Now head over to Amy's and see what her ideas are! :)