Photo by Clay Davies
Recently, I was featured in theAmerican Bar Association (ABA) journal because I crochet. A couple of months ago, I received an email from the ABA journal asking Attorneys that craft to submit images of their work. At that point, I had just finished crocheting a tablecloth out of thread. It took me a year and a half to finish it, so I was kind of proud of it and sent it in. Sometime later, a freelance journalist for the ABA contacted me and asked if I would like to be featured in the ABA journal for my crafting. Of course, I said yes! You can see that articleHERE.
Crochet is one of the things that I do to relieve stress. Owning my own law firm, I am constantly stressed out about so many things. We have deadlines that we have to worry about, following up with clients to make sure they received everything and they aren’t waiting for something from us, accounts receivable/accounts payable, and many other day to day business activities in addition to our legal work.
I stumbled across crochet some years back and the focus that it requires prevents me from thinking about all the other work-related stresses.
After reading the ABA article, I thought maybe other people could use some tips on how to release stress, so here are my top 5 activities for reducing stress:
1.Crafting
Any type of craft activity is going to force you to concentrate and focus on exactly what you are working on. Whether it is woodworking or sewing or a craft with yarn, you will need to pay attention to what you are doing, so you won’t be able to focus on any outside stressors that are going on in your life at that moment.
2. Getting outside
Depending on where you live and the weather, getting outside for some physical activity is such a great way to stop thinking about anything stressful. In the winter, I get outside and go snowshoeing. On some of the milder days, I actually will get on my bike. In the summer, where I live, we have access to water, so I get on my paddleboard and enjoy the water. I also get out by bike and on my skates when I am not on the water.
3. Going to the gym
When the weather isn’t cooperating, often I will set time aside to go to the gym. Where I go(Rev), they have indoor cycling and TRX® training. I can’t tell you how many times I have been trying to come up with a solution to a problem at work, and then had to stop to go to my cycling class and about 5 minutes into my ride, the solution just fell into my head. In terms of stress and anxiety, when you are on the bike or using the TRX® straps, you are just so focused on what you are doing that you really can’t think about the stresses. Then when you are done, your endorphin levels are so high that the stress seems so much more manageable.
4. Commiserating
Finding other people that are going through something similar to a problem you are dealing with can be really reassuring. I have spoken to other business owners in completely different industries that face very similar problems to what I face in my business. Knowing that you aren’t alone with that problem can be very comforting and you can also discuss how to solve that problem with that person.
5. Reading
Finding a book discussing an interesting topic or a fiction book can take your mind off of all of your other troubles.
So, did I miss anything? If you have other suggestions on how to relieve stress, send them my way. If I get enough feedback, I may do a follow-up blog post!