And you thought you were de-stressing.

Here is a list of things people commonly turn too to de-stress but actually amp up the stress levels, according to a study published by a University of Ottawa student. Whole article found here.

• Cigarettes can actually heighten your stress level. When you smoke, the chemicals that you inhale act as stimulants for your body. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and hormone levels increase. Cigarettes also rob the body of certain vitamins and minerals, which must be replaced. The cost of cigarettes and the diseases which they can cause might also add to your level of stress. Although trying to quit smoking can be stressful in itself, it can often result in an overall reduction in stress levels in the long run.
  
  
• Caffeine is another physical stressor that can be very damaging, especially if it is consumed in large quantities. Caffeine can speed up your system for up to 20 hours. Although it might relieve headaches in some people, it can cause them in others. It can also cause sleeplessness and stomach upsets. Caffeine is a drug, and you can become addicted to it. Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, nervousness, grouchiness, and a rapid heartbeat.
  
  
• Sugar is used in many foods, and in small quantities it can be harmless. Often, however, it is easy to lose track of your sugar intake. Whether you use white/brown sugar, honey, or fructose, you will experience a quick energy boost, which will later be replaced by a shortage of energy, since it depresses your system. Eating sugary foods leaves you less hungry for more nutritious ones, and you end up missing valuable vitamins and minerals. A lack of some B vitamins has been linked to depression as well as other mood disorders.
  
  
• Drugs and alcohol are also stress enhancers. You might think that turning to these substances will relieve your stresses and problems, but you must understand that drugs and alcohol are poisonous to your system, eventually causing serious mental and physical damage. Over a period of time (which is quite short in some cases), addiction develops and you can end up spending all of your energies just trying to get more of the drug of your choice. In the end, you will have even greater amounts of stress in your life as a result of losing friends and causing pain for your family.
  
  
• You might also think that using tranquilizer-type drugs will help you to calm down and relax, but the effects of these drugs are short-lived and they never solve the underlying causes of stress. A physician might prescribe them for a short-term problem, but you must take them as prescribed and never use a higher dosage than that recommended. In the end, it is better to discover the sources of your stress (possibly with the help of a counsellor) and find more natural and permanent "tranquilizers"

Take a ride on your boat instead. It will help you to take a  moment for yourself, and it won't put a dent in your wallet.

Musical Escape.

Another mid week escape. As per some suggestions here's a song to chill out too and one to rock out too.

Please keep the suggestions coming as each week I am happy to showcase readers suggestions for the boat soundtrack.

Ordinary Day by Great Big Sea from Zoe



Boiled Frogs by alexisonfire from MP

How my boat led me to world domination.

What's better then a night in and a board game with good friends? Uncontested global domination! But the road to becoming the world leader is filled with game playing, name-calling, alliance dodging and a cunning poker face. This does not bring out the best in people! You enter the room with 5 friends, then magically with the placement of little plastic people you are dealing with an every man for himself, war-zone.

I know what the game of RISK can do to people, I am veteran of many games now. I even recall saying to the group before we started, "I don't like what people become during this game." That is why I now bring to my army, a naval division. I am commander and chief in my own private ship where I am free to see the board and my strategies without the mind games.

This is the game board as we started placing the reinforcements. Even then people played their strategies and trying to out the other person's strategy for their gain.

After playing the game for a little while, lines have been drawn. Some panic sets in. Some bad rolls, losing armies in your defense. It's easy to get distracted from the main goal. To outlast! I headed to my boat to regroup. Sitting back, watching who was trying to do what.

Being able to separate myself from the hectic world of risk and remain calm really helped me. A visit to my boat, this one happened to be very old-world British fleet inspired, was my sanctuary. Other people were put onto boats and set a float. One by one, the armies fell around me.

And the yellow army rejoiced. The war was over and we had won.

Musical Escape - Otis Redding

It's that time again for the mid-week musical escape. Thanks Amanda for this great tune suggestion.
Anyone else have a suggestion for the boat soundtrack?



Catch you on the waves, don't forget your towel!

The Love Boat

 

Love makes us do crazy things. Say crazy things. Think crazy things.

Love can be a whirlwind of emotions. Passionate fights and embraces.

In pursuit of love we may come across situations that, to put it frankly, just plain suck. These situations are an excellent candidate to put on a boat of their own and do with as you see fit. 

Now that I have found that love, the boat's purpose has changed for me.

***gushing girlfriend alert. If you don't want to read that skip to last paragraph!***

My boat is no longer a place to escape from all these ups and downs as much as I may want to sometimes as these are all part of the adventure. My boat is somewhere I go to escape all the hustle and bustle of the world and give the love I share a chance to thrive. We humans are distracted with our jobs, our bank accounts and so many other things that sometimes it is hard to remember what brings a smile to your face. I am very lucky to have someone in my life that makes me feel complete. And that completeness is what I go to my boat for. 

No matter where we are in the world, even 5,000 kms apart, he is there to support me, hold me up because we are on that boat. Nothing in the world can take that away from me.

What I suggest you might take away from this is,

Remember the landscape that we travel through is constantly changing and so is the purpose of the boat. Embrace that and you're on your way to finding that happy place!

 

Sailing with Rod Stewart

When I hear this I am automatically transported to my boat!

The first time I saw this video I was sitting in Pontypridd, Wales with family all around laughing and having a great time. The memory inspires that calm happiness in me.



Or check out this video of a young Rod on a boat singing his heart out.
Click Here

What songs transport you to your boat, or happy place? Is it better if it's a soft song? Or do you need to be rocking out?

Lost at sea. Storming and confused.

It's very easy to say "It's on the boat." Sometimes, as much as you want it to be on the boat a storm has come and swirling thoughts take over.


I have been known to get lost at sea. I somehow strayed from the shipping lanes and am now trapped in a storm, my only thought is the exact thing I am trying to forget about. Feeling down on myself for the decisions that were made or something I can't change.

As time goes by, I have realized that weather is a part of any sailing trip. We are only human. Emotions can get the better of us. The key is to realize you are stuck in a storm, but all storms do pass. So batten down the hatches and enjoy the ride.

Everyday of life is a new adventure. The mantra I have chosen to repeat to myself is "I'm new and I'm trying." I may not know everything. In fact, I am convinced I will never know everything. I am not going to stop pushing forward because of fear of the unknown. The best discoveries have been made by embracing the unknown and rolling with the punches.

Questions, Comments, Stories?

So, you have had a brief introduction to my boat theory. Questions? Comments? Stories? I want to know. Leave a comment, share a story. Let's find our happy places.

Amanda said...

I personally find that when putting yourself on a boat a pontoon or "party' boat works best. Also, be careful of putting other people on boats, the really determined ones will always find their way back.

January 20, 2010 10:42 PM

Suzanne said...

Let me just say that putting things on the boat has changed my life and has given me personal freedom. Thank you Rhiannon for your wisdom.

January 23, 2010 10:41 PM