How do you take a break from stress, St. Louis?
The Post-Dispatch invites you to join the conversation on Instagram on how we as a region can tackle the public health risk of too much stress.
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Are you parenting under stress? Want some help? Join us! bit.ly/1SKI6Pd @stltoday #takeabreakSTL http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbcinNiWcAAD-o1.jpg
by Nancy Cambria via twitter edited by Beth O'Malley 2/21/2016 5:46:04 PM -
How do you take a break from stress, St. Louis?
The Post-Dispatch invites you to join the conversation on Instagram on how we as a region can tackle the public health risk of too much stress.
It's simple:
- Post a picture of a healthy habit or activity or that helps you deal with stress.
- In your comment bubble explain what it is and how it works for you. You can be as brief or detailed as you want. You can talk about a specific burden and how it helps. Or you can just explain what works for you.
- At the end of your comment use the hashtag #takeabreakSTL
Why should you participate? Your thoughts and ideas matter. The more we talk about stress, the more we can figure out solutions to dial down its adverse effects on public health. Research shows healthy mental and physical habits along with healthy relationships can reduce your stress response and help your health.
The Post-Dispatch's upcoming special report, "The Crisis Within: How toxic stress and trauma endanger our children," finds that chronic or toxic stress is known to increase risk for disease. When it trickles down to children, it hurts their development and increases their chances for lifelong health problems.
So, #takeabreakSTL, and be part of the solution to reduce toxic stress in our community.
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How do I take a break from stress? By ice skating outside. There's nothing like it to put me in the present moment and out of my head. I love how the ice feels when I glide. There' nothing like getting out there in the seconds after the Zamboni leaves the ice. The ice is so pure and smooth. The air is crisp. It's sensory heaven to me. I took a few ice skating lessons as a kid – I never learned anything fancy. But now that I'm older than 50, I count ice skating as one of the most valuable athletic skills I learned as a child. It's a gift from my childhood that keeps me young. My favorite rinks are Steinberg in Forest Park and Shaw Park in Clayton. They are so festive. I even have special hats for skating. A few weeks ago I saw a young priest in full robe and hockey skates tearing it up on the ice in pure joy. How do you take a break from stress? Post a picture and a comment and hashtag it: #takeabreakSTL
by Nancy Cambria via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:14 PM -
How do I take a break from stress? By intentionally watching my teenage son do something he loves. From inside a warm home. With a cup of coffee in my hand. Two Saturday's ago, I took a long, deep look at him, and it felt good. My kids are so busy. Our lives our so hectic. Sometimes it just feels good to take a few minutes and sneak a real look at your kids and enjoy what they've become. And yes, we built a small ice rink in the backyard – which also helps get them out of the house in winter. #mindfulness. #takeabreakSTL
by Nancy Cambria via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:20 PM -
Naps - sometimes next to my kitty - are how I take a break from stress. #takeabreakstl
by Beth O'Malley via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:32 PM -
How do I take a break from stress? I try to have gratitude for the people who have my back. My dad died a little over a year ago on Jan. 28, 2015. I was blessed to have a father who made most everyone who met him feel special. People who even had the slightest interaction with him (like the man at the local deli who sold him his paper in the mornings) mourned his passing. And I miss him. On the anniversary of his death, I came home from a stressful and contentious day at work. I was alone. My kids and husband were at sports practices. I trudged through the kitchen to get some food. I sat down at the table staring at my food. And then I noticed a shadow over my plate. I looked up, and this bouquet of flowers was sitting on the table. I was so stressed, I hadn't even noticed them there! It was from my husband. He had my back. I was deeply grateful, and it made me smile and get out of my head. Mourning is hard. Grief lives with us. And so does love. #takeabreakSTL
by Nancy Cambria via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:42 PM -
For me, this one is a bigger ankle stretch than it is knees or back. And I can only do the eagle arms one sided, for now. #doyouryoga #yoga #yogaeverydamnday #liftersyoga #yogaforathletes #shoulderrehab #takeabreakSTL
by gelberj via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:42 PM -
#takeabreakstl How do I take a break? Gardening! Or at least planning for my garden, since there is still snow on the ground, by starting my seedlings inside. Fun to watch them grow! These are 5 days old.
by Susan Norris via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:45 PM -
A cozy fleece blanket and even cozier dog. Snuggling up with those two things are stress relievers for me. Studies have shown petting an animal can boost levels of feel-good chemicals in the brain, so I'll take it. What causes me stress is minimal to what many #stl women face each day, but when I do get to that place, these two things help. Please take time next weekend to read important work by @nanecam on @stltoday on toxic stress in our city. (Also pictured is @nicksargent, who is not taking a break from work on a Saturday afternoon). #takeabreakstl
by Jessica Bock via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:48 PM -
How do you take a break STL? Getting outside, even just for a bit, helps me relax and recharge. There are plenty of things to enjoy in the winter, like this beautiful snow-covered stainless steel sculpture at the art museum. Did you think it was a real tree? Guess that's why it's called Placebo!Share what you do with #takeabreakstl
by Michele Munz via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:50 PM -
From the minute our kids could walk, my wife @nanecam put skates on their feet. To give her more ice time, I would lace up the kids' skates. I pretty much skipped the skating because I suck at it. My thing is getting a beer and watching them skate. Steinberg has a pretty good selection of Schlafly. Bonus if there is a Blues game on, too. I still love going to Steinberg and not skating. #takeabreakstl
by Jeremy Kohler via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:22:59 PM -
How do I #takeabreakstl ? Shuffleboard with family and friends at the park. Read our special report about stress and St. Louis from @nanecam next Sunday, but until then, show how you #takeabreakstl
by Bob Rose via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:23:01 PM -
Chinese exchange student who has never seen snow. This is how we #takeabreakstl
by Jessie Hoerman via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:23:03 PM -
#takeabreakSTL. I read these six memoirs by Maya Angelou in a period of about 3 weeks. Helped put things in both historical and personal perspective.
by Debbie Chang via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:23:07 PM -
How do I #takeabreakstl. By hugging my dogs, Mooney in this instance. No matter my mood, my dogs love me and always have time to smuggle
by astamand via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:23:09 PM -
My nephew @kdiddy3221 gives a double thumbs up as he and his wife head to the delivery area to welcome their first born into the world. After three days of waiting in the hospital, the stress levels have dropped or is it just the beginning? #newparents #proudpapa #stressfree #takeabreakstl
by Gary Hairlson via Instagram 2/15/2016 4:23:15 PM -
This is a list I made a few weeks ago while putting together the upcoming Post-Dispatch special report on toxic stress and children in St. Louis. Did you know that list-making actually reduces stress? It breaks a big task or day into seemingly easier parts. Better yet, crossing things off your list releases a tiny hit of dopamine in your brain - the same pleasure stuff released when you take a bite of chocolate. Uh, yum. It felt delicious to cross things off this list! What do you do to #takeabreakSTL? Post a photo of a healthy mental habit or activity that helps you deal with stress and explain how it works for you in the caption. Then hashtag your caption: #takeabreakSTL
by Nancy Cambria via Instagram 2/15/2016 9:48:23 PM -
How do you escape the things that cause you stress? #takeabreakSTL
by Jeremy Kohler via Instagram 2/15/2016 10:14:55 PM -
#takeabreakstl hanging out in the moment is tough when we all have such busy lives but so worth it
by stlmargo via Instagram 2/15/2016 10:52:00 PM -
Even better: watching babies sleep! #takeabreakstl
by stlmargo via Instagram 2/15/2016 10:55:05 PM -
Never too early to start healthy habits #takeabreakstl
by stlmargo via Instagram 2/15/2016 11:04:19 PM -
We call this "Hoermantines" - Valentine's Day dinner when you don't care what day it happens. #takeabreakstl #familydinner
by Jessie Hoerman via Instagram 2/16/2016 12:12:00 AM -
Workout=therapy #takeabreakstl
by samantha liss via Instagram 2/16/2016 2:34:19 AM -
#takeabreakSTL ✅How to participate.
by Jeremy Kohler via Instagram 2/16/2016 5:04:18 PM -
St. Louis Seminarian Andrew Auer paced the courtyard of Pontifical North American Seminary in #Rome while on silent retreat. Silence allows for time for reflection and introspection -- and listening. For the 2012 World Communication Day message, Pope Benedict XVI urged silence as "an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot exist ... In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves." Indeed, silence is a good way to #takeabreakstl. #faith #pray #Catholic
by Teak Phillips via Instagram 2/16/2016 7:07:32 PM -
Hey STL followers, tell us how you deal with stress! The Post-Dispatch wants you to join our conversation on how the region deals with the public health risk of too much stress. All you need to do to join is...1) Post a pic of a healthy habit/activity that helps you deal with stress 2) Explain what it is and how it works for you and 3) Tag it with #takeabreakstl. Your thoughts matter! The more we talk about stress, the more we can do something about it. We also have an upcoming special report called "The Crisis Within: How toxic stress and trauma endanger our children." So look out for that and post pictures of your stress relievers! 📸: Laurie Skrivan. #stlouis #stress #namaste #yoga
by St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Instagram 2/16/2016 8:42:32 PM -
Sometimes I remind myself to b-r-e-a-t-h-e. #takeabreakSTL
by Nancy Cambria via Instagram edited by astamand 2/17/2016 5:03:39 PM -
Hold your breath before opening the doors to #takeabreakstl #PinkSisters Photo by Lisa Johnston, @aeternusphoto
by St. Louis Review via Instagram 2/17/2016 11:20:05 PM -
I take a break from stress by nerding out. Coding a viewer to watch ancient Atari computer text animations. #takeabreakSTL
by Josh Renaud via Instagram 2/18/2016 4:28:43 AM -
Early to bed allows for early to rise. Results = beauty, stillness, mindfulness & sense of calm #takeabreakstl
by Lisa Johnston via Instagram 2/18/2016 11:35:22 PM -
After a disappointing end to the work day. Thank goodness for a walk outside #takeabreakstl
by Jennifer Howard via Instagram 2/19/2016 1:04:55 AM -
Taking a break to enjoy the fruits of my labor. #takeabreakSTL
by Josh Renaud via Instagram 2/19/2016 3:52:16 AM -
Convert you inner monologue to a dialog with #Jesus. Tell Him your worries. He'll help you #takeabreakstl.
by St. Louis Review via Instagram 2/19/2016 5:19:35 PM -
Are you parenting under stress? Want some help? Join us! bit.ly/1SKI6Pd @stltoday #takeabreakSTL http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbcinNiWcAAD-o1.jpg
by Nancy Cambria via twitter 2/19/2016 6:36:23 PM -
Watch this helpful video and read special report this wknd on how toxic #stress affects families #takeabreakstl video.stltoday.com/Are-you-too-st…by michelemunz via twitter 2/19/2016 6:36:34 PM -
Looking forward to reading this @nanecam project and the conversations that will result. #takeabreakstl http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbMV_ChVAAAuN9d.jpg
by Leah Thorsen via twitter 2/19/2016 6:36:54 PM -
"It's a best friend thing. We always be holding on to each other." This picture is part of our new feature "The Crisis Within" about how the stress of crime and poverty tears away at our children, inhibiting brain growth and stunting development. The link is in our bio. @nanecam and many others worked MONTHS on this feature and it's one of the best stories we have put out in a while. Make sure to check it out. 📸: Laurie Skrivan. #ferguson #stlouis #blacklivesmatter #stress #takeabreakstl
by St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Instagram 2/20/2016 5:28:20 PM -
How do I handle stress? I take it to the gym and trade it for endorphines. #takeabreakstl
by Court via Instagram 2/20/2016 6:02:39 PM -
All of St. Louis seems to be taking a break at the zoo today, watching the polar bear swim. #takeabreakSTL
by Josh Renaud via Instagram 2/20/2016 6:08:00 PM -
Mid-run reminder from tower grove park #takeabreakstl
by Betsy Barton via Instagram 2/20/2016 8:39:42 PM -
Here's a brief look at what's coming Sunday bit.ly/1Qi0Oqz @stltoday #takeabreakSTL http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbSbywFWEAAJx1h.jpg
by Nancy Cambria via twitter edited by Beth O'Malley 2/21/2016 5:44:35 PM -
Good Morning #catholicstl ! For some of us ; Saturday morning is a great day to sleep in! #TakeABreakSTL http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbrNl9bW4AAjFk2.jpg
by Rev David A Novak via twitter 2/21/2016 5:45:55 PM -
Pretty pink skies #takeabreakstl
by Jennifer Howard via Instagram 2/22/2016 11:40:50 PM -
It seems the weather wants us to #takeabreakstl
by Jennifer Howard via Instagram 2/24/2016 12:50:27 PM -
Join us this Sunday for our charity "Doga" event. Sign up link in bio.
#doga #yoga #dogs #reebok #poodlesofficial #stlouis #feelingalive #takeabreakstlby Fitness with Fido via Instagram 2/24/2016 11:18:20 PM -
#takeabreakstl
by Alive and Well STL via Instagram 2/25/2016 8:15:48 PM -
"The one thing every parent has control over is the quality of their relationship with their child" Dr. John Constantino #takeabreakstl #parentingunderstress #happyhealthyharrellmommy
by RareGem Productions via Instagram 2/26/2016 1:47:12 AM -
March 1 marks the opening of the catch-and-keep #trout season in the four #Missouri trout parks: Bennet Spring State Park, Maramec Spring Park, Roaring River State Park and Montauk State Park, where these fishermen tested their skills. Every opener, thousands of anglers wait in frigid waters for the opening siren, when they cast — often shoulder-to-shoulder — for recently stocked trout. #fishing #angling #outside #outdoors #mdcdiscovernature #getoutside #takeabreakstl
by Teak Phillips via Instagram 2/29/2016 8:41:53 PM -
Sunday car ride #takeabreakstl
by Jennifer Howard via Instagram 3/6/2016 4:07:40 PM