reducing stress

 I am currently in school for court reporting and am doing a research project on reducing stress, specifically for court reporters. I was wondering if anyone wanted to share their ways to reduce the stress of the profession, and/or any techniques you may know of to reduce or prevent back and wrist pain. Thanks so much!!

Hi, Eileen,

I've been reporting 32+ years.  If I don't get out and do some heavy duty walking or biking on a regular basis, I'm useless.

One thing I believe in, though, is if you work hard, you'd better play hard!   You'd better find time for fun.  Find time to do NOTHING.  Schedule spa treatments, massages, manicures, pedicures. 

You have to laugh.  You have to act like a kid sometimes.  You've got to think of yourself.  If you're not a happy person, those around you won't be either!  Look for the good things in a bad situation.  

Good luck on your project.

I've heard that chocolate martinis are good for stress relief, though I've never tried one.  I'm afraid I might like them too much. <g> 

Any form of chocolate helps me.

 I have always, always taken Friday nights off.  Getting away from the computer is essential.  I do something fun, read a book, veg out, anything but work.

Friends who can make you laugh are another essential.  Laughter makes everything easier.

 

Hi from me too, Eileen. I'm with Lillian: Make time to play. I agree with her walking/biking: I think it's important to be active outside, because you spend so much time outside. Also, I learned early on not to take anything personally on the job. Attorneys frowning at you? It's because they can't frown at their clients. Shouting in your direction? It's because they're too emotionally involved in the case. As long as you're behaving in a professional manner, if it's not your fault, don't worry about it. Let it run off like water on a duck's back. My personal recipe for stress relief is a pound of sunflower seeds (salted in the shell), a liter of Coca-Cola, and a good science fiction paperback.

First, send everyone in the house out to the mall or a movie or something.

Then hide the car in the garage, take the phone off the hook, turn off the cell, cuddle up in the big overstuffed chair, and enjoy. Mary Anne

Rhonda Hall-Breuwet, RPR:

I've heard that chocolate martinis are good for stress relief, though I've never tried one.  I'm afraid I might like them too much. <g> 

Oh, yes, indeedy!!!  I've got several recipes.  I make 'em a couple of different ways. My favorite, though, is vanilla vodka, double-espresso vodka and Godiva chocolate liqueur. Shake it in a Boston mixer with ice and strain into your martini glass rimmed with DARK chocolate powder and sugar.  YUM!!!!

Gots to try it, Rhonda!

 

 Oh, that sounds mighty tasty indeed!  I need to come to your house for movie, popcorn, and martini night!

Too funny that you mentioned the popcorn, Rhonda.  I just bought Cuisinart's popcorn maker.  I'd been using my pots and making a mess, pitting the pot with burnt popcorn. 

Yeah, come on up to PA!!

Getting back on topic of stress relief, I guess you could comfort food helps.  Moderation is the key!

Eileen:

When you're working on transcripts, I think the most important stress reduction technique is taking regular breaks.  Every hour I take a five minute break to stand up, look away from the computer, stretch, and to check/correct my posture when I sit back down. Makes a huge difference to the long-term health of your hands, wrists, shoulders, back and neck.

I learned this technique at a stress reduction seminar the Dallas Court Reporters Association put on many years ago.  When it all gets to be too much, I take as deep a breath as I can in through my nose, hold it for a slow count of ten and then release it through my mouth as fast as I can.  You look and sound like a complete tool, but it's served me well these many years.

I'm also intrigued by a gizmo called the Stress Eraser (www.stresseraser.com).  It sounds like snake oil, but I've read a lot of very positive reviews from publications I deem as extremely credible saying it works.  It's based on timed breathing synchronized to your biofeedback.  I've hinted at my wife that I'd like one for my birthday next month, so maybe I can report back then if it's worth the $300.

Oh, and there's always the failsafe: bourbon and Vicodin. 

 Thank you very much!!!!

Hi, Eileen.

Smart to be thinking about reducing stress BEFORE you're in the trenches. 

I've been reporting for 25+ years and discovered yoga about 10 years ago.  It has SAVED my back.  A lot of people think yoga is just about relaxing, but it is so much more than that.  I found myself a good yoga class with a great instructor who individualizes workouts based on what people need.  We do a lot of back strengthening poses, which have made a huge difference in how my back feels.  I walk out of class feeling two inches taller.  It's also great for arm strengthening and toning AND relaxation.  Good luck!

Oh, I have to totally agree with Eileen's recommendations.  I started doing yoga in September and absolutely love it.  I think exercise is one of the best overall things you can do for yourself, healthwise, stresswise, everything-wise!  I know I've had days where I just didn't want to go because I was getting so aggitated and moody with rigorous jobs -- which comes easy in this profession on some days -- and it always kicks me right out of it even when I get there and I'm close to tears.  Nothing comes close!  And yoga is probably one of the best ways to go if you've not already got some kind of fitness routine squeezed into your day. They say with a couple of aerobics workouts stuck in there a week, you accomplish a complete total body workout.  All you need!  Good luck!