When it comes to stress relief, watching the fashions on the red carpet or doing a puzzle before bed provides much-needed stress-relief, which is good for our health!
Some of the fashions making the way up the red carpet at last night’s Met Gala were downright absurd. South African singer songwriter Tyla (whose song Water is addictive to listen to) could not raise her feet high enough in her sheath dress of sand molded to her tiny body in order to take the steps and instead had to be lifted to the landing by handlers willing to place her on the top step like a statuette. Another memorable dress (on the super talented and lovable Cardi B) was so voluminous it needed about eight men to move it, then place it artfully in a puddle of black cascading fabric at her feet.
Still more dresses were flights of fancy that revealed fit beautiful bodies, sometimes in more anatomical detail than one actually needed to see. So why do we watch this parade of wearable art? The fashions range from art to absurd, the wearers looked foolish or fantastical, and yet we were wrapt in our attention to the next one to showcase her choices.
For the record I thought J Lo looked ravishing, as did Zendaya, who showed off two looks (both costume-like but somehow she pulled it off), and we loved what Ayo Edebiri was wearing, and enjoyed watching Gayle King go out of her comfort zone in gorgeous green with matching eye shadow. It was addictive and we could not turn it off.
Stress Relief Rituals
So why do we watch? Certainly not to get inspo for our next fancy party or wedding, and never to be able to afford the jewels, heels, or head-dresses much less the ball gowns (donated for the evening by designers eager to burnish their reputations by association). The tickets to the event themselves were $75,000 per head so a couple who might want to attend (with the blessing of Madame Anna Wintour who is gatekeeper to the celebrities and moneyed classes alike) would have to spend about the same as a downpayment on a house for a night of gawking.
We watch because it is a welcome break from tragedy and mahem, from bombings in Gaza and gag orders in Lower Manhattan and stories of sad endings for crime victims in Queens (a man stabbed working at his bodega did not make it) and house fires that leave families homeless.
We watch because it is such a diversion, from practicality and politics, from bill paying and work deadlines, from stressful home repairs and dogs with digestive issues. That’s my list of stressors, along with not working out today and not eating healthy food for dinner.
The list of “To-Do’s and To-Fix and To-Do-Better” is seemingly endless. These crazy fashions remind us that not every thing has to make sense. Sometimes being delighted and surprised, and laughing at silly clothes you can’t sit in or walk in is a way to destress.
How to Wind Down
When I need to get to sleep and the hours are ticking by, two things relax me enough to finally lay my head on the pillow, close my eyes, and let the stress of the day fly away. (Watching double overtime hockey games may be a diversion but is so stress-inducing that it requires another activity to calm down from that state of heightened adrenaline.)
One is watching Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue, where he relentlessly and humorously makes fun of those who take themselves too seriously, and the other is doing a slightly challenging word puzzle.
The ritual that helps me nod off is doing the Wordle. If I am up at midnight, I open the Wordle and spend two to three minutes solving the next-day’s puzzle. It requires just enough brain strength to flow letters into boxes and form words of six letters. If I get it in three or fewer tries I am happy, four is fine and five is a disappointment. Then I drift off, having cleaned the palette of my racing mind, allowing myself to drift off and dream.
The Brain Needs Diversions
Studies show that the most effective techniques for stress relief include behaviors that improve physical health, such as exercise, but may also improve cognitive and emotional functioning, by requiring your brain to focus on something other than the list in your head.
If you have trouble with stress-reduction based on mindfulness practices such as meditation, trying something that piques your interest (watching golf, or some other sport) can be a form of meditation. What is stressful to one person is relaxing to another. Watching your team in the playoffs in a tense game can actually send blood pressure soaring, so choose your stress relief from that stressor!
The concept of mindfulness, which originates from practices of Buddhism, is defined by scientists as “a focused awareness of one’s experience, and purposeful and nonjudgmental focus on the present moment.” I fail on the nonjudgmental part if it means I judge the fashion. But what it actually means is don’t judge yourself for needing the escape. Daily release from stress isn’t just fun, it’s serious health management.
For Stress Relief, Do Whatever Floats Your Boat
Managing long-term stress has been shown to lower your risk for conditions like heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and depression. So thank Anna Wintour for helping your overall health, and for me, the fit, toned bodies inspire me to go running and try to eat better and avoid sugar. That means there are two ways watching the Met Gala can make us healthier, and have a more positive outlook and approach to our health and wellbeing today.
Do whatever allows you to take a stress break, without judging yourself for it: Take a walk or a run, go for a swim, or watch a favorite TV show (for me right now, it’s Survivor). Don’t apologize for sinking into the couch after a stressful day or an hour of watching the news. Watch your show guilt-free and know that stress is what kills us, faster than anything else. If you want to ooh and aaah at the fashions or giggle at the fun, you are doing something so vital, it’s a must watch.
For more helpful advice on Wellbeing, Health and Fitness, check out The Advice Pages Wellbeing content. Have a question? DM us on Instagram @advicepages.
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