Day 05- My top stress-relievers

Believe it or not, cleaning is at the top of my list of stress-relievers. When something is first starting to stress me out you can bet money that my room looks like a tornado went through it (or like a teenager lives in it, whichever); but when I'm at the highest stress point over something you can bet just as much money that my room is sparkling clean (or as clean as it gets without one wall). I had an English teacher that told me once that writers tend to clean anything and everything before sitting down to write, and that's exactly what I do. If my room is a mess I feel like I can't think clearly, and it's probably linked as well to my stress dreams: I'm in a huge warehouse-like room that's covered floor-to-ceiling with random junk, I can't move, I can't think, I'm not sure my dream self is even breathing.

Running is right after cleaning. If cleaning doesn't clear my mind, a 30-minute run certainly will. I don't think about what I'm doing after I run, I don't think about keeping up with the world, I don't think about anything but keeping up with the pace I've set for the next 30 minutes. I think almost all of the time about everything, and running is one of those rare times when I don't really think at all.

Next would be a hot shower. I could live in a hot shower--if it were possible to not turn all wrinkly. I don't know what it is, but life problems solve themselves in the shower.

Beyond that are a handful of things:

• writing: I've kept a journal since I was 8 or 9
• listening to music
• playing piano (unless I've forgotten the particular piece I'm playing; that makes me more stressed)
• reading
• painting
• drawing
• going outside on a warm, sunny day
• and eating chocolate, of course