How to be relaxed almost all the time: My Secrets

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By Kenny Wordsmith

My secrets for a stress-free life

I'm almost always relaxed! Wasn't always like this, and I can trace my growth in this department by looking back. I share this with you in the hope of contributing to general peace and contentment. Follow me if you dare!

For quick methods, visit my previous hub.

1. Eat well, sleep well

This is pretty obvious, but it's an important point. Stress could stem from biological issues. Indigestion or hunger could make you cranky or depressed. Balance your food and your sleep.

2. Work is not worship

And the body is your temple. Tell yourself that breaks are as important as your work, and allot time for them. If your work is fast and noisy, take quiet breaks. If your work is sitting at the comp, take a walk or fly a kite. That's no insult, that's me being literal! Or jump in the lake. Take a dip, I mean.

3. Be lean but not mean

Be a beautiful person. Please excuse, just putting it here, for those who are not. You are one, I know! By beautiful I don't mean the skin deep kind. I mean thinking beautiful thoughts, saying beautiful things, doing beautiful things, being in the presence of other beautiful people. I have a good collection of such people, and hubpages is full of beautiful people like you...You're welcome, my pleasure!

4. Cultivate a relaxing art

I paint well and sing horribly, but both relax me. Yes, not those around me, I know! Do you have a relaxing pastime? If not art, craft or sport.

5. Be honest

It is the best policy. I'm no sweet angel; I'm an honest devil. You see, these days, it's a high tension job looking after a family and it makes sense not to care for a pack of lies as well. You have to be alert and have a good memory if you are in the habit of lying. I talk a lot, and I have to only guard against hurting feelings, not worry about protecting lies.

6. Money matters

Save money, get med insurance and invest some. When you can. Spending all your money in the same sweetshop will give you indigestion and no money for a umbrella. And no peace of mind.

7. Laugh

Smile, laugh, have fun. Dance, sing, kiss, cuddle, stroke, hug...more often.

8. Read light

Read the occasional heavy stuff, you don't have to go beyond the newspaper for that, but read light novels or stories or jokes. I read Wodehouse, who helps me in this. It's okay to be unreal and happy, than realistic and grumpy. Be a bobbing balloon tied to a gravestone. Your feet on the ground but your head in the clouds.

9. Shed your tension areas

Quit secret affairs. Secret affairs erode the heart.

Quit your job with the secret service unless you are a spykid or James Bond. Stop seeing people who bring you down. Be a source of relaxation to others, if you can. Many of my friends just call me up to calm them down. Saves shrink money, I guess.

10. Have a child or a pet always around

A big dog that pounces on you when you return home is a sure-fire stress-killer. Or a small child who wants help with origami or finger painting. If you have neither keep fish. Very relaxing, watch them glide, turn, glide, turn...zzzzzzzz

Where was I? Yes, or grow plants instead. Yawn! Good Night, folks!

Comments

helenathegreat profile image

helenathegreat 4 years ago

I have been long awaiting this hub, Kenny!

Excellent, excellent tips. I am currently trying to get my out-of-control sleep schedule into something more resembling of... well, a schedule. I've been battling depression for over a year, and it's amazing how the little things can affect you! Just eating and sleeping well and regularly can drastically change your quality of life.

Thanks for publishing awesome hubs!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Sleep well, Helena, to continue to be the Great! You made this hubber very happy with that 'awesome' comment that he'll keep smiling for a week!

Lissie profile image

Lissie Level 1 Commenter 4 years ago

Very nice hub - after I quit my miserable job it took about 3-4months of sleeping 10 hours a day to recover - now i am doing something I love I can get by on 7 or 8 hrs bur for me when I am stressed I definitly need to sleep and sleep!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Way to go, Lissie! You do something you love and you sleep well! Peace!

cristina327 profile image

cristina327 Level 6 Commenter 4 years ago

This is a great hub. Very informative and entertaining. I am glad that I have a dog by my side to give me some relief from a stressful day.

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart 4 years ago

Another informative and witty Hub;) I have a very realistic fish tank screen saver which i leave on 24-7 on my other PC. It is so relaxing for me and my kitty loves it..I just to work on tips 6 and 7!:)

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Thanks, Christina, and my regards to your best friend, too!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Great, Compu-smart, wish you luck with 6 and 9! 9!(double take.) Does that mean what I think!

I love your kitty loving the fishy screensaver! lol!

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart 4 years ago

6 and 7 "not" 6 and 9 lol. I have no problems with that fav number of mine 69;)

William F. Torpey profile image

William F. Torpey Level 2 Commenter 4 years ago

Fabulous! Great advice, Kenny, and well written. I always loved singing (inspired by Bing Crosby) and annoyed my wife and kids for many years -- but it kept me in a perpetually happy mood.

Michele Engholm profile image

Michele Engholm 4 years ago

Great Hub! I can SO use this advice right now. I feel like I have stress up to my eyeballs. I am printing it and putting it up on my refrigerator. Wonderful advice, well said.

Kathryn Vercillo profile image

Kathryn Vercillo 4 years ago

Great Hub ... I added it over at Mixx so others could see it too!

http://www.mixx.com/stories/35251/10-tips-for-regu

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Oh Compu-smart, my mistake. 7 I thought you had no problem with, you are a merry soul, aren't you?

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS Level 7 Commenter 4 years ago

Lovely advice to share with others, Kenny!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

William, delighted that you are singing your cares away. I know you love Cosby, from your stamp avatar! Thank you for the 'fabulous!'

Michele, that's great! The fridge is a cool place for chilling out tips!

Kathryn, I'm grateful! Hope it helps everyone! You are a good soul!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Thanks for the visit, Patty, and the appreciation!

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes Level 3 Commenter 4 years ago

Great informative hub, We could all do with that kind of information to remind us of how to relax and enjoy ourselves especially with xmas coming. That in itself is stressful to some. With families arguing with one another etc. Should be more laughing and happy and forget their troubles at least for that day.

I enjoyed your hub. Keep on writing more like that.

Zsuzsy Bee profile image

Zsuzsy Bee Level 3 Commenter 4 years ago

Kenny! You did it again. Another winning HUB. You covered all the bases.

Great HUB

regards Zsuzsy

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Yes, Eileen, you are 100% right! It's supposed to be aseason of cheer and love.

Zsuzsy, thank you for alighting on this hub and leaving a GREAT comment!

Dottie1 profile image

Dottie1 4 years ago

I have no pets of my own but I visit often the 4 Golden Doodles that live next door to me. They are a cross of Poodle and Golden Retriever. I love them and they love me. It's like having grandchildren, you get to go home when you have had enough.

MrMarmalade profile image

MrMarmalade 4 years ago

Kenny, you have succeeded again waking my jaded thoughts.

I do only sleep 4 hours per day. Still my body has being doing that for 60 years and I am not complaining Any way I believe, if you repeat some thing thirty times you will keep on doing it. It 's too late to change it now. I believe I get through a lot of work. Any way I like catnapping for 5 mins. If I watch TV I go to sleep. Val has to wake me up to go to bed when she turns the TV off.

Great no I have changed my mind Awesome

Isabella Snow profile image

Isabella Snow 4 years ago

Great tips, Kenny. Working at home often makes me feel like Im always on a break - even though I am actually almost always working as much as 16 hours a day - and then singing on weekends which is still work, really. I always feel guilty taking breaks, though.. its weird. I will try to do it more!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Dottie, you love thy neighbour as thyself and play with their Doodles, wonderful! Yes, like being a grandparent, lol!

MrMarmalade, maybe you're doing fine with 4 hours and catnaps. 

A little more is probably good, so it's awesome that you decided to have more!

Isabella, maybe you don't need breaks; you seem to have it all balanced. Singing is a break from writing and vice versa, and you seem to enjoy work so much that it is play! If I was capable of envy, I would envy you; it's actually inspiring to me, and others around, I'm sure!

Fit Body 2 Day profile image

Fit Body 2 Day 4 years ago

What a beautiful hub. I tend to work way to much and seem to stress very easily. Nice suggestions.

Please drop by and say hello http://hubpages.com/hub/Bowflex-Treadclimber-TC500

Whitney05 profile image

Whitney05 Level 2 Commenter 4 years ago

Great info Kenny... Most of the time the dogs help me relax, but then there are just times where they make the stress worse. Ha. I think I need to work on the sleep thing. Late nights and early mornings seem to be making my stress worse.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you for sharing this, Whitney, and hope you get enough sleep. Pets and children, yes, sometimes they give us stress! Scratch that idea, lol!

MrMarmalade profile image

MrMarmalade 4 years ago

I have said it before and I meant it. Fantastic

Thank you please have a great Christmas and the best New Year for 2008.Are you interested in this, no offense intended. Here are three books on Sudoku:- 1. Killer Sudoku 2. Kakuro 3. Junior Sudoku All on CD ROM and with 256 Page book Giving rules and how to play Buy all three of the great puzzles on Sudoku Uanditogether will endeavour to get them to YOU before Christmas Day. That is $AUD 15.00 Each The Postage will be only $8.00 for all three CD’s and three books Across Australia.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

You are very kind, Frank, thanks!

No offense taken but I am not still a Sudoku fan. 

Will pass the word around, though. 

Peter M. Lopez profile image

Peter M. Lopez 4 years ago

Does writing hubs qualify as a relaxing art? I hope so. Great stuff.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Peter, of course, I find it relaxing like you. Thank you!

ripplemaker profile image

ripplemaker Level 6 Commenter 4 years ago

Your secrets are a treasure. :-) I've read a lot of tips on how to relax but you've managed to write this one with a twist. I enjoyed reading it.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you, Michelle! I had to go back and find out what my twist was. You mean the sleepy line, don't you? Hope you too feel as relaxed as that!

ripplemaker profile image

ripplemaker Level 6 Commenter 4 years ago

Hi Kenny. Allow me to expound :-)  Hmmm by "twist"  I mean you were able to state something in a different way. You know instead of saying it plainly.  For instance, you wrote.. Be honest.  I'm no sweet angel, I'm an honest devil....(which made me grin)  Here's another one:  Cultivate a relaxing art. I paint well and sing horribly, but both relax me. Yes, not those around me, I know!  (hehehe)

I guess I'm a fan of word play with a lot of sense and humor.   

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you, Michelle, for the return trip and taking the effort to amplify, and doing that with all the kind words and appreciation! My head's swelling like a hot-air balloon!

Margarethe profile image

Margarethe 4 years ago

Great Hub, Kenny- couldn't agree more!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you, Margarethe, for dropping in, and agreeing with my beliefs!

Cleanclover profile image

Cleanclover 4 years ago

We are similar Kenny. I follow the same lifestyle as you do. Would love you as my friend

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

You are a 'God loving human,' and I'm proud to be your friend!

G- Ma Johnson 4 years ago

Oh Dear....... there is nothing left for me to say...shucks now that I am back and 3 weeks behind and need to relax I can't. And I just wonder who is behind that balloon???? :O) :O) G-Ma

G-Ma Johnson profile image

G-Ma Johnson Level 4 Commenter 4 years ago

OOps forgot to say what a nice new photo Kenny..:O)

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Please relax, it's okay to be three weeks behind! :) You are making up for three weeks? I must remember to chase your comments all round the other hubbers' pages! It's my second son behind the balloon, a souvenir from his school's Sports Day.

Thanks for liking the new picture, the older fellow took it,

and made me shave my nice beard off for it!

G-Ma Johnson profile image

G-Ma Johnson Level 4 Commenter 4 years ago

Well your beard will grow back..and I knew who was behind the balloon  silly...You look great with or without your beard.  Chasing you around too  G-Ma :O)

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

hehe, thanks! :)

MrMarmalade profile image

MrMarmalade 4 years ago

Read the occasional heavy stuff, you don't have to go beyond the newspaper for that, but read light novels or stories or jokes. I read Wodehouse, who helps me in this. It's okay to be unreal and happy, than realistic and grumpy. Be a bobbing balloon tied to a gravestone. Your feet on the ground but your head in the clouds.

I commenced to read with a cup of coffee, read on and on finished the coffee. I had forgotten that I had read before, although the fading memory kept saying you have read this. I persisted and stumbled upon MrM. and knew I was right.

Anyway I found the paragraph above, something new to comment on. That above is how I feel all the time.

I often wonder why our Church never invites me to sing in their choir. Oh well! You never get everything you want. Someone told me I sing terribly.

By the way the colour red is magic.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you Frank for four things.

1. For rereading this, with your cup of coffee.

2.For new comment.

3. For being a terrible singer. I sing terribly, but am surrounded by good singers. It's refreshing to hear about someone like me.

4. For liking my red piece.

Have a great day. 

ink 4 years ago

These are all great suggestions. I don't understand why this hub isn't as popular as your, 10 Ways To Relax. I think this is better!

Kanelbullar profile image

Kanelbullar 4 years ago

Yo dude, you sound like me...you must be my long lost half brother;D

Great post!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Ink, thank you for that kind comment! But sequels are always considered not so good, LOL!

Kanelbullar, my bro, you might be my astro twin or somebody, maybe!

David Jewell - Jewell Fine Art 4 years ago

Your comments are so true. This is a fact, most people do not even acheive 10% of what they can do because of the mash up Life throws up at us. Healthy habits = Healthy Mind. Painting is my passion and fortunately for me its also been a wonderful way of making money. Thank you for a great Hub!

David Jewell

www.JewellFineArt.com

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

David, you don't need these tips as you pursue your passion. What better way to relax than to paint? Thank you for adding your support to this hub.

laffe 4 years ago

Thanks man.

These did help me out man.

http://www.ultimateguidetocheerleading.com

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you, Laffe.

colin mcdermott profile image

colin mcdermott 4 years ago

: )I am going to forward this : )

soni2006 profile image

soni2006 Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago

Hello Mr. Wordsmith. How are you. I have found this hub really great and I am feeling relaxed now. Thanks for publishing such a good hub. By the way inspired by you, I hawe published a hub answering a request. Here is the link : http://hubpages.com/hub/how-to-be-positive-all-the

Please review it and let me know the mistakes I have done writing this hub today. Thank you.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

I'm sure there won't be mistakes but I will read it to see if I can learn something. :)

pinaki profile image

pinaki 2 years ago

Dear Kenny,

Very innovative article. I enjoyed it. I will try my best to implement it in my own life.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

Thank you, Pinaki, delighted. :)

ripplemaker profile image

ripplemaker Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago

Hi Kenny, these are great secrets on how to be relaxed. If we just really follow all of them, we can say goodbye to stress and worry in an instant. Thanks for dropping by my hub today. I've been wondering where you are now and what you've been busy with. :-) And viola, you appear! LOL Cheers.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

Magic in the air! Thank you for your visit, O Angel!

Anamika S profile image

Anamika S Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago

Yes, That makes sense. Thanks for sharing!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

Thank you, Anamika, for reading!

Cleanclover profile image

Cleanclover 2 years ago

fantastic and practical solution kenny. Liked it and I already am following 90 percent of the advice. That's why I am so relaxed and feeling good :-)

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

From one relaxed person to another, Hi, Cleanclover!

Hammers13 profile image

Hammers13 2 years ago

Hi Kenny.

Your interesting 'How to Relax HUB' has produced some pondering here.

Can we be too relaxed? i.e.If we are out of our comfort-zone at healthy levels for healthy growth, as a human-being, can we be too relaxed? Or can we achieve both at the same time & be able to witness beneficial periods of feeling uncomfortable, while having a relaxed perspective? My guess is yes but takes some practice to achieve. Have possibly just answered my own question! One great benefit of writing.

Cheers,

Hamish.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

Dear Hamish, we can't be too relaxed, though it could irritate a friend or the spouse when they are in a high-tension mode. But probably it's a stimulation-depression question. One can be too stimulated and one can be too depressed. Those are bad.

Ah, looks like you answered your own question. A relaxed and contented perspective while dealing with issues, is the main thing. Right. That answer helps me too, thanks!

Kenny

Hammers13 profile image

Hammers13 2 years ago

Cheers Kenny.

All seems to make good quality sense to me.

Keep in Touch.

Hamish.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

Sure will, Hamish! Cheers, Kenny.

dud4d 2 years ago

how do you keep such a relaxed life when your in school i mean there is so much pressure ????

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

Dud4d, I understand about the pressure at school and schoolwork. For the longterm, when you have a problem, remember that in 5 years this problem will be a joke. I used to take my homework so seriously then, but I now know that there was nothing to worry then.

And when you do get your breaks, forget your pressures, or you will never enjoy those breaks.

The trick is to be cool all the time.

Vanshika 2 years ago

nice ways

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 2 years ago

Thank you Vanshika. :)

GULLNAZ AWAN 2 years ago

Hi kenny!I am a Pharmacist..24 years old.Your Tips are practical and sound awesome to me..I am honest(5th Tip).I used to practise the 10th tip when i was in school but now i have started a job and i have no baby or a pet around me.. :( i have a separate cabin..I feel very lonely and bored.If you can help?

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 24 months ago

Babies and pets may be easily borrowed, Gullnaz. Is a fish tank possible there?

G.N Awan 24 months ago

Umm... A fish tank?I don't think so,cz its a pharmacuetical industry and we have to maintain good hygenic standards.So pets and babies are not possible to be kept here...

Kenny plz tell me something else...

Ayesha 24 months ago

Awesome... Kenny

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 24 months ago

Awan, you have to try some of teh other things at work, but at home you can have pets and babies. :D

Thanks, Ayesha!

G.N.Awan 24 months ago

hahaha...Good One!

Thanks Kenny,I'll Try :)

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 24 months ago

And Awan, if you get some good ideas of your own, please share them with us. :))

P-2 23 months ago

GREAT JOB MAN!!!

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 23 months ago

Thanks, P-2! :))

Edlira profile image

Edlira 16 months ago

Great hub. We share number 4 and 7 :-). Cheers, Edlira.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 16 months ago

And those are the best of the lot! Thanks, Edlira! :)

mrod profile image

mrod 16 months ago

Lost my dog quite a few years ago and haven't quite got over it yet. I do now keep plants and koi fishes. They don't wag their tails at me, but they are very relaxing. Plus I don't have to clean the poop :). Nice article.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 16 months ago

Thanks for this comment from a relaxation expert, Mrod! Much appreciated! :))

Daniel 6 months ago

I think if you had a link to Wodehouse or whatever alot of people would click it including me.

francinejones profile image

francinejones 7 weeks ago

Kenny thank you for sharing with the world an important, yet forgotten step in life. I know a one that died, a aneurism burst within her brain (stress) we do not realize how we are damaging our health when we allow stress to control our life.

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith Hub Author 7 weeks ago

Thank you, Francine. :)

You are right! Stress can make us take wrong decisions, lose friends or partners by reacting badly, and will surely age us faster than anything else.

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