My new stress relieving technique! – don’t laugh!

Well, in the past if I had a day like I had today, I would head straight for the cabinet, the fridge and toss in a lemon – yes I would have a nice cocktail or a strong drink! It always worked and made me feel instantly better…. perhaps the early signs of alcoholics anonymous ? Well, since going on this new anti-alcohol thing to try and help my liver recover, I have had to come up with a better and healthier solution.

The thing is it sounds really silly but once you try it hopefully you will find the same benefits I have had. I play badminton. Yes, this silly English sport which requires you to hit a funny looking fan like thing in the air, really is my stress beating technique! Well, here is the reason I reckon it works. When you walk or go for a ride, you are still able to think and mull over and rehash about your day, to some degree this can be good but for some of those days, going over the annoyances of your day, are really not helping. When you play badminton, you have to focus. You have to think about that silly little shuttle cock – yes that is what it is called! It works surprisingly well and you are getting a little bit of exercise in to add to the benefits!

I thought I could do Yoga at the end of the day to relax but I simply struggle to concentrate and my mind wonders, making Yoga fairly pointless. I think for me, Yoga is only good in the morning to start the day fresh and ready. Perhaps it is okay if my day is not too frustrating. Badminton is brilliant for those frustrating days though!
James and I set-up our little badminton “court” at the bottom of the garden and it is currently staying light till about now – which is about 8pm. That gives us time for a good hour or more – if we want to play that long.

The coolest thing about it, is you get to wallop the “ball”. Because it is so light, you can really wack it and it really doesn’t go anywhere. – not like Tennis where you would simply hit the ball out! It gets our so many frustrations when you can absolutely wack that thing and it makes the coolest sound to go with it! – funniest thing when you miss too..

Anyways, so give it a try cos I have found it fantastic today. I had such a hectic day at work and so many things just mounted up and I came home exhausted. I was going to resort to my usual vodka and cranberry but well, thought I would probably regret it in the morning. So, this solved the problem and it also helped get more than 30minutes of exercise in. – not that it is hard exercise or anything but it is still something!

Have you tried badminton? Have you played it recently? What do you do when you get stressed? What works? Do you still need a stiff drink instead? What about Yoga? Does this work for you?