Most popular method for reducing stress is....

..listening to music, ranking just above watching TV and taking a bath.  
Having sex came in sixteenth.  
--(October 2008, Psychology Today)

So what do you say?  Were their studies spot on?  Do you hop in the tub, turn on the tube or pop in the tunes quicker than hopping in bed?

Curiously,
Selena

Re: Most popular method for reducing stress is....

Since starting to hobby my blood pressure has dropped 20 to 30 points consistently. Stress rolls off my back.  I took the BP readings while I was being sued for 1.3 Million Dollars and my main supplier raised my guaranteed prices 250 percent once I quoted the job to my client.  Try listening to a song or watch TV to get over that.  Days after getting that news I was at 125 / 75 and a few days later 130 / 80.  Before hobbying but when I was not being sued and business relationships were great typical BP was 153 / 93 and that was while on meds for BP.  This could be the fountain of youth.  We also keep ourselves looking better for the ladies and this is also good for our health.

Quick relaxation: I do a sort of quick self hypnosis which lowers blood pressure and relieves stress in a minute (literally.) Middle term: I do my usual 3 mile Nordic walk, read a book, or watch a funny movie.  Longer term: there is nothing like a lovely afternoon of love making. Longest term: Caribbean beach or trip to one of my favorite European cities.

For short term stress relief I take a nap! It works wonders.  My long-term disposition is tied-in to regular visits with a couple of my favorite ladies. It's tough to be in a bad mood once you remind yourself that you will be in the arms of a beautiful woman soon...

The music of the waves along with the music of the sex does wonders for me.

Re: Most popular method for reducing stress is....

short term a hot bath takes the stress away,
a day at the beach, well thats a definate stress reliever
a nice motorcycle ride on a winding back road cutting the curves tight, gives me a new outlook for sure.
I try to laugh every day, not take myself too seriously, stay close to the ones I love, and love making...is needed on a daily basis to keep me feeling like the "me" I like.

Nicole

in the gym twice a week works for me.

Re: I agree 100%

I had high blood pressure and was 20 lbs. overweight before getting into the hobby. Everyone has been commenting on how I look skinnier and my blood pressure is down. Sex and lots of it is definitely the best cure for stress.

for me eating has always been a stress releaser. I can't believe i'm only 150lbs the way I eat.

meditation and yoga mellows out every day for me

If i'm home there's always music going and candles lit

Kisses Haley

...w/my dog after work watching the sun set, the  fountain splashing, sipping a glass a red wine always works for me......

Something that gets the endorphins flowing like a long bike ride or a good workout or a good yoga session.

I also love to engage in activities that totally absorb my attention. Woodworking and musical performance always relax me greatly.

A great massage with a happy ending is good, too.

Re: Most popular method for reducing stress is....

Working out in the dojang, and teaching a class, help me relax and shed stress.

But nothing beats two or three hours in bed with a special lady!

cheers,

BBxxx

I would go to the gym on a Fall or Spring Saturday morning.... workout for 2-3 hours, then come home and mow the lawn...  Then I would go in, take a long hot bath... and go into my living room, and select a specific set of music to listen to... sometimes classical and sometimes the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber or Les Mis... and crank up the volume... and sit back in my easy chair, and just enjoy the music... quite relaxing... then I would get in my car - and either go to a strip club.... or a massage parlor to enjoy a bit of another art form I am quite happy to enjoy... the famale form.

Now?  on a nice fall saturday AM, I get up, make crepes flambe... serve that to my daughter... and we pile into the car - drive about an hour to a soccer game... She runs her heart off, and I yell my head off.... and on the way back - we giggle and chat...  it don't get any better than that.

I'm dealing with several different types of stressor right now. First, I'm moving from military life to civilian life, which after so many years is a total paradigm shift for me. For this stressor, Macallan 18yr Gran Reserva and some acoustic or classical guitar music works well. Second, I'm moving into an area that offers me the opportunity for a very high income doing what I know how to do(and there are not many ways to use my skillset outside of active duty), but I absolutely hate the area I have to live in. For this, allowing myself to enjoy the company of one of the beautiful ladies twice a week when I'm in Conus works wonders. Third, I have never gotten over the loss of quite a few friends over the years. I feel guilt, that I am here to enjoy life such as it is, and they are not. For this, I meditate and burn incense to GuanYin. Fourth, I am having difficulty rehabilitating from some injuries. For this stress, working out as much and as heavily and I am able, seeing progress in the rehab works wonders. Last but not least, reminding myself of all I have to be grateful for and generally taking care of my body throughout is paramount. And I've got to get my sailboat here from San Diego somehow - I think I'll have it trucked to the gulf coast and sail it the rest of the way - Sailing has always been my number one destresser and only real "hobby", but I've had precious little time to enjoy it....

...with my headphones in.  Nothing will make you feel more hardcore than bopping about the city with Immortal Technique's "Golpe de Estado" blaring in your ears.

Of course, I must admit, sex & masturbation (yeah, both of 'em, a tie) are probably my #1 form of stress relief.

b-l-o-w-j-o-b.

...because I'll take a jog listening to blaring music, immediatly followed by a glass of wine in the hot tub, and then up to masturbate and have a nap--all within 1.5 hours!  LOL

One hour at a gun range, followed by a game of squash and then coming home to my Krusty the Clown punching bag, which I kick in the nuts.

Re: Most popular method for reducing stress is....

turn off the phones and go get a massage and facial or pedicure at a nice spa!!! I rather do that than shop for clothes! nice splurge last week in Stamford I went to the Angora Spa 80 minute Thai massage 200 with tip included and spa pedi 60 with tip. nice splurge and 3 hour escape worth it!

#1 Sex with a compatible woman

#2 Sensual massage with happy ending

#3 Sleep

1 out of 3 is free, not bad.

Re: Most popular method for reducing stress is....

During lunch, I will go outside and meditate.

At home, I exercise for a bit, either treadmill or a workout of jogging in place with hand weights.

I almost always listen to smooth jazz and read until I am falling asleep in my chair.

Since I found TER, I have found that after a session with a lady, I am extremely relaxed and very happy for about three days, returning to normal within about a week.  Even better, I no longer get pissed off or upset about stupidity at work.  I am too relaxed and feel too good to worry about anything.

...have sex with a wonderful woman, in the bathtub, while listening to music.  (The TV will definitely be off!)

Dr. Joe, can you give a brief description of the hypnosis method or a link to a website that explains it?  I would love that.  Can't afford or have time for great sex every day.  One minute...wow!

Re: Most popular method for reducing stress is....

For Physical Stress:  A nice 90 minute deep tissue massage;

For Mental Stress:  A nice quiet 1-2 hours of guilt free pleasures (reading, napping, listening to music)

For the everyday feeling "crazy" with schedules and work:  A stress free 3-4 hours of taking control of my time and doing absolutely nothing (maybe indulge in the sensual needs).