Monday, August 23, 2010

Emotional & Physical Health, Plus A Giveaway

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Crystal Light.




This giveaway is now closed.

We all have those days, when we wake up cranky and disgruntled. Not only do our families try to avoid the resident black cloud, but our own bodies seem to rebel against the dark mood. Everyone seems to deal with some level of stress in their lives. Some people just do this better than others.

For me, stress and anxiety manifest themselves as a tight neck and shoulders, and a raging headache. It is as though someone turned a key to tighten all of the muscles in my upper body and then put a vise on my head. At that point, all I want to do is crawl back in bed and pull the covers over my head, which is rarely an option. Of course, others suffer from far worse ailments related to stress, such as ulcers, depression, and chronic pain. I can consider myself lucky.

While my emotional health certainly affects my physical health, I also find the reverse to be true. At times, when I my emotional reserves are low, all I want to do is sit in front of the TV and spoon my way through a pint of ice cream. This usually makes me feel worse in the end. I have found that I need a different strategy. Although it is the last thing I feel like doing when I am down in the dumps, I often strap on my running shoes and head outside for a little physical exertion and fresh air. There is something about breathing in mountain air, being outside when the streets are still quiet, and pumping my arms as I run that lifts my spirits. I could chalk it up to endorphins, but I give most of the credit to the overwhelming feeling of gratitude that washes over me.


When I return from my run, my to-do list has not disappeared, but I feel much more capable of dealing with it in a calm, rational manner. Now, that beats sitting on the couch and eating a pint of ice cream any day.



This giveaway is now closed.

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, please answer the following question in the comments section:

How do you boost your emotional health?

Please, no duplicate comments.
You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
This giveaway is open to US Residents aged 18 and older
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail, so please be sure that you leave an email address.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Please head to the BlogHer.com CLB exclusive offers page for 6 more chances to win $100 and a chance to win $1000.

Please see the official rules for this giveaway.

For more information on Crystal Light, head to their site.
StumbleUpon

27 comments:

Mami2jcn said...

I boost my emotional health my meditating. It helps me cope with stress.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Suzanne aka vivisue said...

I get my head on straight by staying busy. Like you said, get up and do something! Don't just sit there. Getting out, smiling at other people, holding the door for someone's great-grandmother at the store all makes me feel better myself. It's when I think about others that I feel my best!

Megan said...

I have a three-pronged approach: Walk in the park for endorphins and to help sleep better later; Do a "braindump" into my journal before bed to help me let go of everything on my mind so that I can "turn off"; and go to bed early, because a good night's sleep makes things seem more manageable the next day.

sisinpacific said...

I take time each night to review the day and think about how I can make everyone around me feel better about themselves tomorrow. What goes around comes around.
karla_schade{at}hotmail{dot}com

Jeanne said...

I usually take a walk around the neighborhood, read a good book, or play music. Anything that gets my mind off the current situation!

Tabathia B said...

I love reading (especially suspense novels and I am a romantic at heart) and sometimes a piece of dark chocolate really helps
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/22275730629
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

CindyWindy2003 said...

I try and do calming things like running, listening to music, taking a bath, reading, sometimes you have to stop the crazy errands and schedule and just do something that focuses on you, carawling(at)hotmail(Dot)com

CindyWindy2003 said...

http://twitter.com/carafferty/status/22277848440
carawling(at)hotmail(Dot)com

CindyWindy2003 said...

blogged at http://cindywindylovesblogsnfrogs.blogspot.com/2010/08/crystal-light-boost-your-health.html
carawling(at)hotmail(Dot)com

Leah @ A Butterfly In My Stomach said...

I boost my health by doing yoga. It relaxes the central nervous system which controls your emotions. I have chronic pain so this is a must!

leah(for)love(at)aol(dot)com

Just call me "B" said...

Usually, the run is how I do it.

I put on my praise music, and have a time by myself, just me and God.

or....I have NO music.....just time to think. process. hear the noises of nature, etc.

slehan said...

Swimming is my calming choice. I swim 3 times a week and take time to just float on my back and zone out. Thanks for the contest.

slehan said...

http://twitter.com/slehan/status/22465150353

Unknown said...

Going to the gym and working out and listening to some really good praise and worship music.

JC said...

I like doing Yoga and it helps a lot.

JC said...

http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/22497972107

JC said...

blogged.http://tcarolinep.blogspot.com/2010/08/giveaway-points-of-review_29.html

Anne said...

I have several things that I do--take a nap, read a book, get away with my family, spend time with friends, read my Bible.

Unknown said...

I boost my emotional health by turning on my favorite tunes and dancing or calling my family and talking it out.

Unknown said...

Tweet

http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/22546353995

~dab said...

I stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.

Nancye said...

I boost my emotional health by talking my problems over with my best friend or with my husband. I have found that when I keep pushing my feelings down, that they will eventually come out. Sometimes in a not-so-good way. When I am able to get things off my chest and have someone really listen to me, then I am a LOT better!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

degood said...

I sit down with a good book in a quiet room and just immerse myself in the book for a couple hours until I am more relaxed and not stressed out.

kerrie@mayansfamily.com

Just call me "B" said...

My emotional completely affects my physical. When I "feel" better, I can "do" more!

Anne said...

I find music helps me relax and boosts my mood.
ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

Anne said...

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/22671023526