What do you do to relieve stress during winter? page

[sarahelyse]

Background
I am a graduate student who is really starting to feel the stress of being in school. Its starting to impact my ability to live life well. Over the weekends, if I don't have a reason to do anything, I don't. I won't even change out of my pj's. I'll just veg in front of the tv and get up to go to the bathroom and get food (which I probably don't need anyway, as I'm not actually moving). This "wasted" weekend makes me feel even worse. I recognize that what I'm currently doing isn't working well for me, but I'm not really sure what else to do. In warmer months, I'd go hiking or just for a walk around the block, and that would help release stress, (thus improving my mood) but going outside now is too uncomfortable to be pleasant. I come back in feeling the same (sometimes worse) than when I went out. Because I'm a poor graduate student, I don't have money to spend on a stress release activity. So I'm at a loss as to how to correct this problem. I feel like the stress is starting to accumulate like a toxin in my body. Help!

Summary
I need a cheap (or preferably free) way to relieve stress during winter months. What has worked for you?

[Sabine]

Try dry skin brushing. It stimulates your nervous system in a mild way.

Using a medium/soft bristle brush, brush your skin while you are dry, so, not right after bathing. Start at the extremities, and brush toward your heart. I usually brush the back of my hand three times, then the palm three times, then from my fingertips up to my elbow, all around the arm three times, then fingertips up to shoulders...You get the idea. Same thing starting at the toes. Then my torso all around, going from hips up to neck. Men get to just zoop over their chests. Women should hang over, and brush their breasts separately, base to nipples direction.

I usually do two rounds, which takes ten minutes. It really energizes me, and it is so easy and cheap to try.

[naiadknight]

Have you tried a form of indoor energy release? I know back in my final semesters of my engineering degree, I took what free time I did have and either played violent video games (doesn't sound like what you're hunting for) or used it as an excuse to do an indoor workout. I mostly did a martial arts drill or body weight stuff. Check out youtube for whatever indoor stuff strikes your fancy. Dance like a fool to the radio. Even using the motion sensor apparatus for most gaming platforms is exercise.

[Chaohinon]

Definitely indoor exercise. See if you can do the 100 pushups a day challenge, and maybe look on craigslist and see if you can find things like pullup bars, weight vests, and dumbbells on the cheap.

I don't know how you feel about cooking, but I find it to be a good stress reliever. If you're bored, try doing some prep work like chopping onions, mincing garlic, parboiling sweet potatoes, cooking meats, etc. so you have easier access to meals later on.

[Littlesigh]

sarahelyse... dress up and go outside! Go for a 10 minute walk! Easy and good for you! It is not that cold! Think about your ancestors! I live(work) in Northern Greenland and until recently it has been DARK and temps well below zero..presently -8F and that is warm. Walking at -25 to -30 is hard but it is possible when dressed well.
Have fun whatever you decide!

[Tribal Rob]

Background

Summary
I need a cheap (or preferably free) way to relieve stress during winter months. What has worked for you?

I'm cheap and free *








*Sorry I resisted the obvious dirty joke for at least 5 hours but couldn't hold in in any longer

[namelesswonder]

Make sure you are keeping your Vitamin D levels up, either by going outside, supplementing, or from a sun lamp. I find that it doesn't always cure my lethargy, but my mood feels lifted when I keep the supplementation up throughout the winter. I also make sure to spend time facing windows, so I am at least seeing sunlight, if not getting all the positive effects from it (from glass filtering).

[EagleRiverDee]

Hm. Well I live in Alaska and continue to do outdoor activities like hiking and snowmobiling. I've got a dog and she needs to go for daily walks, so I just dress for it and go.

But indoor stuff- have you tried exercise videos? I love doing P90X, Insanity, Jillian Michael's videos, etc. I like yoga. I like to do hypnosis apps that I have downloaded on my iPhone. I like listening to music. I like reading. I like playing Words With Friends. I have a few TV shows I watch each week that I Tivo or that I catch on Netflix/Hulu. All those things relax me, but I think exercise is important to lowering overall anxiety levels so if you really hate going outside in winter I'd at least start doing some indoor activity.

I second what namelesswonder said about Vitamin D, also. Magnesium also will help to calm you.

[YogaBare]

Hate to be a Yoga pusher but... Yoga I have a daily practice and listen to music while I'm doing it - totally chills me out.

And lemon baths!! Juice a lemon, cut up the skin, add it to a hot bath. Amazingly relaxing, reviving, and it also detoxes the skin (I know some people don't believe in detox but after taking these baths, I do)

[Leida]

Swimming pool. I bet your campus fee includes access to the swimming pool. I go all the time both to swim and go to the steam room and sauna.
I love skating and x-country skiing - in the city, outdoors.
I love taking my kiddo to the Zoo or to a park. Seriously, you can also lend someone's good kid and take him or her in the park - you will be amazed how many things kids can come up with doing in the winter out of doors. If you don't want a kid - lend someone's dog or volunteer at an animal shelter to do some dog walking.

If being active not your thing, I would do art or craft that appeals to you. All it takes is a good book from the library and some used supplies. Pencil and drawing paper. Aunt Molly's knitting crochet and some old yarn (have an old sweater?) - or hook up with a friendly nana who won't mind teaching you and will love company....

Puzzles are about the best thing I know that takes me away from food when the weather is crappy and we are having a quiet evening. The used ones cost like a buck in any charity store, and a 500 pieces one can keep you occupied for a couple-three weekends for hours on end. No idle hands and the mind is too preoccupied by which piece goes where to send you to the fridge! So pretty too.