Stress is a truth that everyone has to deal with in today’s fast paced life. Like everyone else I am also prone to bouts of depression once in a while. And I have developed my own ways of busting that stress.

Reading Books

I am a self-confessed book addict. If I have a book within my reach, I won’t be at peace till I’ve finished it. This habit comes to my rescue when depressed. I love reading some of my favourite titles like Prizes, Doctors, Kane and Abel, Man, Woman and Child, etc. again and again, when in a low mood. Reading a book takes me to a different world ages away from my own miseries. And by time I come back to my own reality I am in no mood to feel depressed again.

Reading the book can be cathartic if there is some character you can identify with.

Yelling or Crying Your Heart Out

Yes, despite sounding melodramatic, yelling at the person or situation that makes you depressed alleviates the mood. Those of you who have watched the movie Jab We Met will remember the scene where Kareena Kapoor calls up her ex, who had ditched her, and hurls choicest of abuses at him. Crying can also release your stress but it leaves your heart and mind heavy. That would be akin to what we say in Hindi – “taar se gire, khajuur pe atke.”

Cooking

Cooking is my all time favourite stress buster, especially after marriage when there isn’t much time to read books. While I chop the vegetables and knead the flour, I feel my problems dissolving away and new light shining. Cooking is an activity that cannot be done half-heartedly, assuming you really want to serve good food. As you concentrate fully on the chore at hand, your mind gets de-cluttered and hence the feeling of relief. And when you hear appreciation at the dinner table you feel still better. I have many friends who swear by the stress busting therapeutic effect of cooking and I fully agree with them.

Indulge Yourself

Yes, this is the time to pamper yourself and feel good. Take that long overdue sauna bath, or go to the parlor and get a massage. And don’t feel guilty about wasting time and money later; you deserve it.

Go Shopping at the Most Crowded Market

It’s an established fact that shopping cheers you up and makes your mood buoyant. So whenever you feel low, go out and indulge yourself. Of course, take care not to splurge so much that you might regret later!! When I go shopping to release my stress, I go to a relatively crowded and noisy market. I get so involved in the chatter and clatter that it keeps my mind off my own problems.

Everyone will have his or her own way of busting stress and one should know what they are. The basic idea is to engage in activities that involve you and make you happy. Happy de-stressing!!