Holiday Stress Relief Especially Important With Economic Woes -->

[KittyWampus]

News that Dingell collapsed today (hope he's okay) led some DU'ers to comment on stress and Holidays.

Please post your suggestions on stress relief that involves stuff that does NOT involving spending money (yeah, that includes the leafy-green stuff).

This includes websites that have stuff like puppy cams and other diversions.

My ideas for free, stress relief:

****creating and using your very own Labyrinth http://www.instructables.com/id/Draw-your-own-labyrinth./

****going for laughs every day at icanhascheezburger.com

****checking Youtube for music you liked in high school or some earlier period in your life

****pulling out a recipe and cooking it

****taking out a sheaf of paper and starting a journal. Even if it's just a basic timeline of each day or recording weather

****More involved journal- going through junk mail and magazines etc and cutting out pictures of some category of things you like. Sort them, glue them onto paper and comment on what you like about them

****when was the last time you went to an art gallery or museum exhibit?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Breathing

seriously, people under stress often hold their breath. Breathing practices can be helpful, especially to soothing music.

Taking a walk and being aware of your senses--not just sight, but smell and touch.

Creating with nature--pick up leaves, nuts, seeds, etc--make into a natural collage. I've been known to cut a circle of cardboard out of an old box and glue these wonders of nature on it to make a holiday wreath.

Making music. There's lots of ways to do that, from singing to making your own natural instrument to playing a regular instrument. Better yet, get together with friends and make music together!

[Jane Austin]

2. Sing - out loud and with others.

Christmas carols if that's your thing.

Folk songs work, too.

It makes you feel wonderful!

[Missy Vixen]

3. Do something kind for someone else

I realize it's hard to even think about right now, but there are so many people who even need a smile. They're free. Maybe it'll catch on. If you have a little extra time or money, bake some cookies or go visit someone who might be lonely, or need to see a friendly face.

Call someone you haven't talked with for awhile, and ask them how they are.

My husband's having coffee with another one of our pals that is also out of work tomorrow. It's a few dollars. Even more, though, it's a chance for them to encourage each other.

We own several movies that make us smile. We watched one the other night. Even if I've seen it ten times now, it reminded me again that it's good to laugh.

Julie