Until very recently I didn’t know when I was getting overly stressed. I think because I was overwhelmed all the time. I never seemed to make life easy for myself. I always took on too much, too much of everything. And never figured out what I needed to keep myself in balance. I had a doctor that his 1st question was always ‘what do you do for fun?’ and I would always shrug it off and said the first thing that came to my mind, like reading or hanging out with my family. Which are fine, but not really substantive answers. I enjoy books and absolutely love hanging out with my family, but that wasn’t really what the doctor was asking. I now realize that there is more to that question.
I had a particularly stressful day at work a few weeks ago, not because of my students, but because of high stakes assessments and things that I am expected to complete by my state that I think are stupid and stressful for my students. The point is that I wasn’t aware until the end of the day how incredible unhappy, tense, stressed…whatever descriptor you want to use…I was. My neck hurt, I was hunting for chocolate, and I was unreasonably grumpy. I thought that I was going to go home, have an adult beverage, and go to bed, and that would be that. However, I realized it was yoga day at my school. I crankily got changed in a hurry after my last student left and went upstairs to meet the other teachers.
A yoga ‘video’ was chosen and put up on the smartboard for us. It was a particularly challenging sequence, but as usual I do only what I can manage and no one even looks to judge me. By the end of the sequence and cool down I had released all of my stress. It was kind of crazy how much better I felt. I don’t know if it’s the stretching, the opening up of something, or what it was, but it worked in a way that nothing else had before. Not only that, but I think it helps me be more in tune with my body and how it effects how I feel emotionally. The connection between the physical and emotional is just becoming apparent to me. I have spent most of my life being reactive to stress and not proactive about understanding and figuring out how to relieve it.
I have a long way to go when it comes to creating a life of balance, but I’m certainly working on it. I have a fabulous husband and 3 great, mostly grown up children, friends and a job that I look forward to going to every day. Now I just need to continue working on my personal health and stress management.
Ok… so when I was thinking about what recipe to add to this post, I thought perhaps healthy beverages. However, I decided to stick with my relaxing theme and go with my favorite cocktail…a homemade Manhattan. This cocktail recipe was created by my husband, and I am occasionally fortunate enough to be greeted with one when I get home from a particularly long crazy day.
Disclaimer: Some experts say that the ingredients in the alcohols are gluten free because of the distilling process, but I don’t know whether this is true or not and I am certainly not promoting alcohol consumption. Please enjoy and drink responsibly.
David’s Manhattan
2 Oz of good rye whiskey (my favorite is Michter’s)
1 Oz of good sweet Italian vermouth (my favorite is Cocchi di Torino)
2 Dashes of Chocolate Bitters (Scrappys and Fees Aztec Chocolate are both good for this).
1 Luxardo cherry (there is no substitute for this).
Directions:
Place 3-4 ice cubes in a mixing glass, or glass pitcher, and pour the rye, vermouth, and bitters over the ice. Use a mixing spoon to stir until the contents of the glass are well chilled. (Note: shaking will result in a cloudy drink that is also slightly watered down from the ice. It’s better to stir)
Place a Luxardo cherry in a cocktail glass (coupe or martini glasses are best) and strain the mixed drink into the glass without the ice.
Relax and enjoy.
