Robert Hzurek’s writing challenge this month is What I Learned From Love. So why do I add the “and stress-management”? Because warm, fuzzy feelings are a great antidote for stress. They certainly work for me.
Last week I tried using humor to deal with my outrage about the financial executives getting huge bonuses on the taxpayers’ dollars. I added the captions to the bird picture and it did help lighten my spirits.
But what helped even more was reading about how dogs also hate unfairness. I’m a sucker for dogs…just looking at their pictures relaxes me and lifts my spirits. And reading the article reminded me of a time when I was training some dogs over at the local shelter. I had several of them in the outdoor run and was teaching one of them to sit. As soon as I said, “Sit,” two others came over and dutifully sat next to him…all lined up neatly in a row…looking expectantly for their treat.
So I repeatedly went down the line, giving each of them a little treat in turn. They all continued sitting and for the most part waited until I got to them. Occasionally one would lean over, his rear still firmly on the ground, and try to get his mouth in front of the recipient’s. But as soon as I said, “No, it’s not your turn yet,” he would sit up straight and cheerfully wait. They understood about fairness.
Just thinking of that incident lifts my spirits and makes me smile.
Update: The above was written days ago. Yesterday Obama announced limits on executive compensation for firms that take taxpayers’ dollars. I clearly did the smart thing in letting the powers-that-be know my opinion and then switching to more pleasant and healthful emotions.
What About You?
What antidotes do you have for stress? How do you switch your energy and your attention when it makes sense to do so? (Trait #2.)
Long hot baths (cools ones in summer), going for walks, writing in my journal, finding some form of entertainment that engages me (a book, movie, music CD or whatever), talking things over with a friend.
I think that’s about it.
Evans last blog post..Communication and (Dis-)Agreement
Howdy Jean! Interesting trait from those dogs. I’ve never had more than one dog at a time so I’ve never noticed it.
Love the photo of those birds, too!
Hey, thanks for joining us for WILF again!
I blog, cook or go off for a long drive. Strange that you post about dogs today. On our way back from our evening walk, I saw a cocker spaniel being walked and asked Urmeela if we should keep a small dog again. She flatly refused as the parting with the earlier ones had been too stressful for her! There are so many things one could write about dogs that I do not wish to add to the list. If we were to live in a house with a bit of a compound, I would keep half a dozen!
rummusers last blog post..How People Get Together.
Evan,
I’m not a bath person, but I do find showers to be soothing. Walks work for me too, but now I’m more likely to use my bouncing trampoline or NordicTrack treadmill while watching a good movie or TV series from Netflix. And my journal is one of my best friends in times of upheaval.
Robert,
Dogs are social creatures and they learn from one another. Some dogs at the shelter have learned to sit for treats just by watching the other dogs do it. They look so pleased when they figure it out.
rummuser,
I’m sorry you can’t get a dog. I live in an apartment and can’t have one here either. But if something happened to Andy I can imagine myself moving and getting one. Or maybe just fostering dogs from the shelter who need extra tender, loving care.
Thank you all for coming by. 🙂
Hiking does it for me. Funny pictures & UTube videos that I get from people. A massage thingy that sits on a chair & massages my back.
I love dogs. I hike with the neighbor’s dogs. Bad are they track in mud & smell when wet. Opps–this is a Positive-oriented Post.
bikehikebabe,
It’s all right to point out the negatives. As we all know, we don’t have to be perfect to be lovable. 🙂
Interesting post.
As I think about it though, I’m wondering isn’t it our need for fairness in an unfair world that creates much of our stress?
Rob McPhillipss last blog post..Heroes, Heroic Actions And Stress Free Living
Rob,
Ah, but I’m not after stress-free living. Remember, too little stress is as harmful as too much. The purpose of this site is to use our time and energy wisely.
You kindly remind readers they do not control what other people choose to do, but each person controls himself and his reactions. You can discipine the mind and choose to generate loving thoughts. Every energy vibration you send out influences more than you realize.
Liara Coverts last blog post..8 Ways to rediscover supernormal perception
Liara,
I agree!