BROWSE CAR REVIEWS BY:
MAKE
MODEL
Click on a car body type for search results.
 |
 |
| SUVs (two rows) | SUVs (three rows) |
 |
 |
| Crossover | Minivans |
 |
 |
| Sedan | Hybrids |
 |
 |
| Wagons/Hatchbacks | Just for Fun |
It’s Stress Awareness Month?! #@$!
Apr 14 2008 by Lori Hindman
4/14/08
How You Can Keep Calm Year-Round
Well, it came as news to me, but April is Stress Awareness Month. I'm not quite sure what to make of that: Is it to say that we are all stressed and need greater awareness of it? Or we need to be more aware of the stress level of others? Are we more stressed in April than in other months? Or are we less stressed and need to be reminded of the stressfulness of the other eleven months of the year? I mean puh-leeze! You people think I'm not aware of my stress? Seriously? Come on!!! For the love of chocolate!!! I KNOW ABOUT MY STRESS!!! I'M AWARE OF MY FREAKING STRESS, OK?!!!
OK, count to 10. Breathe. In with the good, out with the bad... Ooohhhhmmmmmm...
I guess it's safe to say that stress in not an altogether unfamiliar concept to me, or to any other parent in this intense day and age. Particularly while we're driving, stress is dangerous, not only to ourselves, but to everyone around us. In the interest of lowering our collective blood pressure and lengthening the life expectancy of our children, let's look at some ways to relieve stress in the car. I've never had much luck with the whole counting to 10 thing. I need to count to like, 4,000. So, as alternatives, in honor of Stress Awareness Month, here are a few new techniques to counter stressing out in the car.
Car Yoga: I've heard of "car yoga" which I think involves breathing and stretching your toes, but this sounds iffy. I mean, yoga is hard enough in an open space with soothing music and an instructor. I think if I tried it in the car, I'd cramp up.
Car Karaoke: I'm more enthusiastic about "car karaoke." It's much more my speed. "Car karaoke" allows my to turn the stereo volume up to drown out the, um, stress coming from the backseat and belt out my favorite tunes at the top of my lungs. Deep breathing happens naturally and I'm feeling much better midway through my second rendition of "Breakaway." I'm pretty sure this works even if your stress isn't coming from the peanut gallery in the back.
Car Comedy: Even if you don't have satellite radio with a comedy channel, just one look at that sticky face in the rear-view mirror can elicit a giggle. In dire cases, an old "knock-knock" joke may work. Knock, knock! Who's there? Boo. Boo who? Oh, don't cry! It's only me! (Awful, I know, but you giggled. Admit it.)
Experts say that the keys to managing stress include eating well and getting adequate rest (nuggets and midnight feedings are not helpful.) Additionally, although I don't exactly have the research to back it up, I'm pretty sure that really good dark chocolate can fix any problem. Unfortunately, coffee can't. Caffeine raises your blood pressure and can cause a rather unpleasant "low" when it wears off. That's not gonna help. And I know I don't have to tell you what a horrible idea that glass of wine is before you get behind the wheel. Let's not even have that talk.
To recap: screaming, caffeine, booze = bad. Music, laughing, chocolate = good.
Have a stress-free day!
User Comments
Hi that’s a great post.Enjoyed reading it. Here’s a website which can help you to relief stress the hassle-free way.Thought that i might share it here with you. It’s at http://www.howtorelievestress.org
I am about to cycle across the park feeling quite stressed about life and i am wondering whether i can do bike yoga. Like take my feet off the pedals and stretch them out above the handle bars or raise my hands above my head and do the lion face? Or both whilst doing bike karaoke singing at the top of my voice? Let you know how i get on. Jenny Hyatt, Founder, bigwhitewall.com