Stress – Diversion Techniques

Stress – Diversion Techniques

Diversion activities include such activities as engaging in a hobby, taking a nap, watching
T.V., listening to music, going out to a movie, etc. It is important to realize that these
activities don’t address the stress directly but divert your attention for awhile.

1. Music: Medical research reveals that music can affect a person’s physiological state,
inducing excitement or relaxation. Listening to favourite music relives stress by:
• Providing a predictable, and “secure” environment
• Inducing feelings of well being
• Decreasing physical responses, such as heart rate and respiration
• Inducing and maintaining relaxation once it occurs
• Bringing order to chaotic situations
• Providing a break from frenetic activity.

2. Hobbies: Hobbies constitute another diversion technique for an individual or overcome
pent-up frustrations stress, boredom or monotony. One can engage oneself in varied
hobbies depending on one’s interests. Reading, writing and collecting objects such as
coins, stamps etc. help a person relax and get de-stressed. According to Harris Interactive
the list of the most popular hobbies and leisure activities in descending order are as
follows (Source: Harris Interactive Inc: The Harris Poll):

• TV watching
• Spending time with family/kids
• Fishing
• Gardening
• Swimming
• Computer activities
• Going to movies
• Walking
• Golf
• Exercise (aerobics, weights)
• Playing team sports
• Socializing with friends/neighbors
• Renting movies
• Traveling
• Listening to music
• Shopping
• Crafts (unspecified)
• Camping
• Church/church activities
• Boating
• Hunting
• Relaxing
• Sewing/crocheting
• Bicycling
• Watching sporting events
• Playing music
• Sleeping
• Beach/Sun tanning
• Bowling
• Cooking
• Entertaining
• Working on cars
• Animals/pets/dogs
• Eating out
• Painting
• Running
• Woodworking
• Hiking

3. Vacation: Taking a ‘stress vacation’ is not an indulgence but rather the route to sustained
productivity while maintaining your energy and health. However, taking a vacation
trip could be itself a source of stress if not properly conceived and organized. Folkman
(Strategies To Make Your Vacation a Stress-Buster, Not Stress-Enhancer) suggests the
following tips for reducing vacation stress:

• Stay in fewer places longer.
• Don’t pack the schedule. Leave time open for relaxing.
• Make the vacation affordable and stay within your budget. Nothing is more stressful
than spending more than you can afford.
• When vacationing with family, find ways to satisfy a little bit of everyone’s needs.
Help children realize that they have to make some tradeoffs too.
• Take time to genuinely appreciate where you are, what you do and those who are
with you and also tell them what you appreciate.
• Have fun along the way. Make your time in a car or on a plane special. Listen to a
book on tape. When everyone is interested in the story, they can’t wait to get back
in the car.
• Plan group as well as “alone” activities, like, an early morning walk on the beach
can be the best part of a vacation.
• Balance flexibility (“We’re having fun; let’s do this longer.”) with timeliness (“We
have to be up and packed by 6 a.m. to catch the plane).
• Decide to have fun. After all, you’re on a vacation!

4. Sleep: “If you can’t cope with it, sleep on it,” advises Sadeh. Sometimes sleep can help
one regulate ones nervousness and offers an escape from stress, particularly when there
is nothing one can do about it. But, why do some people lose sleep during periods of
stress, while others slip into sleep quietly? Research suggests that the difference may be
explained by the ways people cope. At Tel Aviv University, Dr. Avi Sadeh conducted a
study of students. He found that those “who tended to focus on their emotions and anxiety
during the high-stress period were more likely to shorten their sleep, while those who tended
to ignore emotions and focus on tasks extended their sleep and shut themselves off from
stress.”

Want a better night’s sleep? Try the following tips by National Sleep Foundation.:

• Consume less or no caffeine and avoid alcohol.
• Drink less fluids before going to sleep.
• Avoid heavy meals close to bedtime.
• Avoid nicotine.
• Exercise regularly, but do so in the daytime, preferably after noon.
• Try a relaxing routine, like soaking in hot water (a hot tub or bath) before bedtime.
• Establish a regular bedtime and waketime schedule.
• Keep a sleep diary before and after you try these tips. If the quality of your sleep
does not improve, share this diary with your doctor.