Nowadays, fighting stress is more of an every day battle with an invisible foe. I can still remember when I was younger and I would finish my day’s work with still a little energy to spare at the end of the day to play with the kids or go out with my partner. Not that I am comparing it with my energy levels today as it won’t really be possible considering my age but when I see my daughter which is, more or less, supposed to be at her peak age, dragging herself to and fro appointments by 7pm, that will make you realize that stress should not be taken lightly and should even be considered as hazardous to our health.
However, the sad truth is, stress is unavoidable. No matter what you do or where you hide, stress is always there. Stress can be in the TV series you are watching; stress is your mobile phone; stress is present when stuck in a road traffic or even when driving. To say that stress is everywhere is really putting it mildly since it is an ominous presence, it is always there. To combat stress, we seniors need to take the step away from it, it should be an effort you are willing to take. Trust me, it will all be worth it.
One of the most proven ways to fight stress is to have your own happy place wherein you can be alone with yourself and forget the things that have been bothering you. Once in a while, our mind and soul need to gather themselves and put everything back in its rightful place—you can’t do this amidst the hustling and bustling of your normal life. To create your own happy place or stress-free zone, follow these simple tips:
• Assign a room. If this is not possible, then find a corner where you can be left alone. Claim it as yours. If a corner is still not possible, then a corner inside your closet should do just fine.
• Find little things that will remind you of happy memories. In order for you to be calm and relaxed, you should be able to bring yourself back in time when you are in your most happiest. For example, a little sandbox with tiny shells may remind you of a beach which calms you or perhaps a zen water fountain to create a mood of tranquility and calm.
• Set the mood. Your stress-free zone should be able to calm your senses, particularly your eyes, nose and ears. There should be no distracting sight to see, sound to hear or stink to smell. They should all be indulging.
• Bring in some plants. Plants improve the air quality in any room. By bringing in one, you’ll be able to harness its calming and destressing effect to humans too.
• Bring in the things that comfort you. It can be your most comfortable chair or a pillow, or perhaps a chair massager. However, steer clear of mobile phones, laptops and TV as they not only distract you but also make you jump out of reverie.
