Managing Stress - Post #2

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light.

Benjamin Franklin once said "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Well he should have added stress in there too.

Everyone deals with stress. It's just part of life. Sometimes it's greater than others, even rendering you useless. And sometimes it's just annoying. Like a bug near your ear.

Regardless the result to the stress carrier is the same, especially the physical part.  I know when I'm wigging out I find my breathing shallow, stomach upset and pretty soon my shoulders are up by my ears.

Since I'm not stranger to stress and am the President of the "MUST GET RID OF STRESS" club, I have the following ways of accomplishing this:

1. Talk it out. Whether it's your spouse, best friend or family member, call them, email or find them and talk it out.  I always feel better after venting.  Especially helps when they agree with you but that's just icing on the cake.

2. Exercise.  This has literally been a lifesaver for me and my new relationship.  I'm a passionate person who feels things intensely.  This is my graceful way of saying I tend to overact.  In the past I would turn to food to help ease me.  Now? It's exercise.  I lace up my shoes and head out the door.  After about 30 minutes my nerve ends are tucked back in and I can see the world clearly again.

3. As I mentioned above, I used to turn solely to food when I was upset.  And of course, not GOOD food.  But now another good way to unwind is to take the time to make yourself a delicious and nutritious meal.  I find that the time it takes to chop, cook and eat, by then all my worries have either faded or at least eased up.  Crystal Light in a great addition to these meals.  Especially with all their different flavors, you can find one to go with any meal.

4. And when all else fails, I light some candles, put in a really fantastically chick flick movie and shut out the world.

BlogHer is giving away a $100 Visa gift card on my blog after my four weeks of this great Crystal Light campaign. In order to win just leave a comment and tell me how you manage your stress? Get an additional entry by tweeting or blogging about this giveaway.

Be sure to visit the other participating bloggers’ reviews on the BlogHer.com special offers page (you have 6 other chances to win $100 as well as a $1,000 sweepstakes on the round-up page!).
You can find more information on the official site, and as always, the official rules