IRON OUT TENSION
A Caring Today Caregiver Stressbusting Idea
BY:MARY ELIZABETH TERZELLA
You may not think of your iron as a weapon against stress, but it can be. "Activities that are rhythmic and repetitive, such as ironing, can be relaxing because they allow you to block out worrisome thoughts," says Myron Pulier, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. "Repetitive motion is similar to meditation, except that you repeat an action instead of a mantra or phrase." What's more, adds Dr. Pulier, ironing has the added benefit of being productive-and "you get a sense of accomplishment."Hate to iron? Peeling vegetables for a stew, kneading bread, mowing the lawn with a push mower, and knitting and other needlework can also be soothing yet satisfying, says Dr. Pulier.
In fact, for women, sewing may be a more effective tension tamer than other pastimes, suggests a 1995 clinical study conducted for the Home Sewing Association. When women tried a variety of activities-sewing, reading the newspaper, painting, playing cards or a computer game-their stress levels were lowest when sewing. Both skilled and novice sewers experienced a significant drop in heart rate, blood pressure and other stress markers.
But whether you pick up an iron or a needle, any routine and repetitive activity can be calming if you are not rushing through it.