Dealing With Stress

One of the problems with being a writer is that there is a lot of potential for stress to enter your life. This is not a good thing: The more stress you have to deal with, the more complicated your health can get. It can also create writer’s block, as the more worries you accumulate, the harder it is to concentrate on what you’re writing, and eventually some sort of blockage will occur. Worse, stress can snowball: Little worries turn into big ones, one worry becomes multiple worries, and before you know it, you’ve got a family of monsters living in your head, causing you to question everything you do.

You simply can’t live that way for long.

Thus, it’s incumbent on you to find a way to deal with stress. It doesn’t matter which method you choose; heck, you can even pick as many different methods as you want. Just don’t pick too many: The idea is to alleviate stress, not exacerbate it.

[Drugs, alcohol, and food are pointedly not on this list. While each can relieve stress in its own way, enjoying them too much can lead to other issues. There is also the possibility of addiction and, given that authors tend to have addictive personalities, that’s always a possibility. So, while you can use them to relieve stress, moderation is advised to avoid possible health and legal issues. It’s just better to avoid them as stress relievers in the first place to better avoid complications that may follow in their wake.]

The Gym

Few things relieve stress as much as endorphins, and nothing delivers endorphins like a good workout. A gym membership is actually somewhat cost-efficient for its price, as most run under $50 per month; assuming at least three workouts a week, that’s 12+ workouts per month, or about $4 per visit; this is cheaper than most value meals and is healthier for you. Even a light workout helps keep your weight down, and there is an increase in personal energy. You also learn focus. As a side bonus, you can catch up on podcasts.

If you don’t want to pay for a gym, you can always grab some exercise equipment and do your own thing at home, or even take up jogging. Ultimately, there are plenty of options if you’re looking for that endorphin rush.

Clubs and Other Organizations

Everyone needs a social life, and clubs give you that chance. Almost every interest is represented by a club, so it’s just a matter of finding the right club. Others prefer to work with organizations as they give the person a chance to have a lasting effect, possibly even a lasting legacy of some sort. Support groups are also an option, especially for those who need some sort of emotional support; like clubs, there is a support group for almost every problem and issue. Between all of these options, the connecting features are that they offer you the option to deal with problems and to give you a chance to both give and receive advice, all of which helps you deal with any problems you may have, making membership in them well worth the time it takes to find the right one.

Video Games

Sometimes you just want to blow things away. Video games offer numerous options for dealing with stress, ranging from solving problems with definite effects, working with a group to solve a common problem, or just blowing things away; the best games offer a little of all three. A video game offers a chance to escape from the mundane world and to slip into a simpler world where cause and effect are more tightly connected; this applies to tabletop role-playing games. For those feeling powerless, it gives them a chance to be the power players; that shift in perspective better enables them to deal with the stress of the real world.

Touching Grass

It may sound weird, but sometimes just lying down on a patch of grass and looking up at clouds is more than enough to give you just the right kind of pause, a pause that refreshes. People just need to connect to nature, and lying down on the grass, taking a long hike through the woods, or just exploring a nearby cave is all they need to get back in touch with themselves. Leave your technology behind for an added bonus, and you may just learn that you love the isolation it encourages. Do this with friends, and the bonds it creates help cement friendships. It may not be a full vacation, but it does provide a moment with the pause button toggled, giving you a chance to catch up and relax.

Debate Social Media

This is more of, “Do you really want to do it?” For some people, social media causes stress, so limiting their exposure is a good idea. If that’s the case, you can either go cold turkey or limit the time you spend on social media, such as no more than thirty minutes a day or so. If you do go on social media, try to avoid arguments and responding to trolls. Also, try to avoid the usual topics (politics, religion, sports) that generally lead to heated discussions. In short, if you spend too much time on the various platforms, your blood pressure is likely to increase, and that’s counter to the overall objective.

Spa Days

There are few options as a relaxing spa day. A little massage, some time in the sauna, possibly even a little time in the barbershop; all of these help you relax. Scheduling a spa day every couple of weeks can be well worth the cost, especially if the staff goes that extra mile for their clients. Anddon’t think that spa days are for women only; some spas even cater specifically to men. Better yet, it’s possible to pick up a few tricks that can keep you relaxed away from the spa, and you can grab some great lotions, shampoos, and creams that help mimic spa days at home; call over some friends and add some wine, and you have a party.

Volunteer Work

Strangely, some people find helping others to be relaxing, and even small towns have plenty of opportunities for those looking to help their fellow man. Charities are always looking for help, and local religious groups have a variety of options for volunteers. Better yet, sometimes your skills allow you to do more than just pack boxes or pick up garbage. It’s just a matter of finding an organization that fits your particular needs and desires; there are even political and civic groups that you can assist.

Partying

While this is a debatable one, sometimes letting loose is a great way to relax. You have several options, but the best one is to set up your own party, invite maybe a double handful of friends and acquaintances, and make sure there are plenty of libations available. If you’re so inclined, adding a barbecue to the festivities is not a bad idea, but do make sure that some sort of food is available, even if it’s just chips and dip: You should never drink on an empty stomach. However, “moderation” should be your byword: You want to relax, not get so drunk you go unconscious or do something you will regret later. Have fun, but don’t go crazy.

Meditation

Meditation is a great way to destress: It doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment, it can be done just about anywhere, and it’s great for your blood pressure. The most you’re going to be out is maybe for a mat and some fragrant candles and/or incense. There are few better ways to relax, and it has some nice benefits; at the very least, you can deal with a lot of actions that would cause you stress. For those prone to extremes of temperament or who have problems dealing with problems or crowds, meditation can keep you on an even keel.

Keep Organized

This is not just good advice: Some people tend to stress when they can’t find things easily; keeping organized eliminates that stress. Better yet, when you’re working, you’re working, you end up saving a lot of time not having to look for things. Yeah, it’s a minor thing, almost barely worth mentioning, but sometimes it’s the little things that make life less stressful.

OUTLINE

Knowing where you’re going is always a good thing, and that’s precisely what an outline is all about. A general outline is all you need: A breakdown of the instigating incident, two or three scenes, and the climax is sufficient. Also, don’t make the mistake of assuming you’re beholden to the outline: If you come up with something cooler, want to try something, or find problems that need fixing, you can always change the outline as needed. It may sound like a weird relaxation tip, but you would be surprised how relaxed you are when you know where you’re going.

* * * * *

Regardless of which method (or methods) you choose, it’s important that you choose some way to relieve stress. The most obvious reason is that it helps to avoid writer’s block, the bane of every writer’s existence at some point or another. However, it’s also a health issue: The more stress that builds up, the more detrimental it is to your health, so eliminating stress can only help keep you healthy. So figure out which option(s) work best for you, or even something that’s not on the list, and enjoy your life!