Let yourself go!

March 13, 2017

let-go
I don’t know about you, but the tension pervading every corner of this nation since The Election weighs heavily on me. Maybe you feel the same way.  Because 45 and his craziness have generated a whole lot of stress.

It’s important that we not let all the negativity and tension drag us down. Which is why I think it’s important from time to time to let yourself go and be wild and crazy, in the best of ways. I mean, REALLY let go!

One of my favorite (and silliest) ways I do that is to crank up some oldies, pick up my dog Riley and just DANCE. I mean, DANCE!

Sometimes, Michael and I will do that. But I must admit that it is way fun to really let go and enjoy the ridiculosity of a dance with my dog.

Crazy, right? But so much fun. So MUCH fun!

Yes, the country’s become CrazyTown these days and I don’t mean that in a good way.  I do what I can to combat it. But I also know how important my own mental health is and how hard it is to live with stress 24/7.

So when it all gets to be too much, I crank up the Searchers or Lesley Gore or even Del Shannon, scoop Riley up and yes, just dance!

How about you? How do you let go? Inquiring minds want to know!

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43 comments on “Let yourself go!
  1. Jennifer says:

    Yes. Most recently, I love Timberlake’s “Can’t stop the Feeling”

  2. I love to listen to Adele’s 25 CD, I have a Lisa Marie Presley CD that I BLAST and I absolutely LOVE Bruno Mars!

    My husband knows if I have Lisa Marie blasting, leave me alone! LOL

  3. Michelle says:

    This behavior is a way of life for me. Adam Ant kept me going yesterday.

  4. I love to crank up the music and dance around with my daughter while we clean the house. It makes it so much more fun! lol

  5. Donna says:

    Incredible reminder, I have been stressed for years. I used to dance…..maybe I can again

  6. Diane says:

    Crank up the tunes and have a dance party in the kitchen. Very similar to yours, except there is usually a grandchild somewhere included in the frenzy! Works every time!

  7. Robin Herman says:

    Car karaoke! Van Morrison, Timberlake, Beatles, Motown and – the best- Laura Nyro

  8. Haralee says:

    Headphones on and sewing projects. They relax me and I forget all but what I am doing.

  9. Rena says:

    I have to have my music or I would go insane! I can feel what you’re talking about though. This country is about to explode and I don’t mean in a good way!

  10. At least once or twice a week my husband goes into a room and listens to an incredible playlist he made. It is a way to soothe the nerves, and let out tension. Music is absolutely the best cure!

  11. I have had a bit of a week and yesterday my friend and I did exactly this and wow it was so much fun and such a tonic!

  12. stacey says:

    Lately my favorites have been Aloe Blacc, Bruno Mars and Wale. Blasting them as loud as I can with the sunroof wide open… I call it chasing the sun.

  13. Susan COoper says:

    It hard to remember to take care of our health and our mental health with all the craziness that’s going on these days. Thanks for the reminder. ????????????

  14. Bren Pace says:

    Oddly enough, my stress has decreased since “45” has gotten into office.

    How do I let myself go? Not always with music, but shooting off a couple hundred rounds is a sure detoxer!

    Love reading how the others do it.

  15. Barbara says:

    Here’s a little poem I wrote many years ago after dancing on the beach with my dogs. Thought you might like it.

    Dance with your Dog

    Dance with your dog,
    By the light of the moon,
    He can howl,
    And you can croon.

    Dance with your dog,
    As the waves crash and roll,
    With sand in your toes,
    And love in your soul,

    Dance with your dog,
    He knows all your moves,
    He loves all your songs,
    You’re in the same groove.

    Dance with your dog,
    He won’t try to lead,
    Your steps can’t be wrong,
    He knows what you need.

    Dance with your dog,
    With stars up above,
    As angels smile sweetly,
    On unconditional love.

    B. Hammond

  16. renee says:

    I so very much want to go dancing again…but I guess the next best thing is just to do it at home by myself…so thanks..I will now do that.

  17. Nothing like music and dancing is there? I wish we went out dancing more often. I miss that. Good books, movies and wine have become my chill out friends, but this too is good advice and I shall begin again! Thanks, Carol.

  18. Sheryl Kraft says:

    Yes! We all need to let off steam..and dance like nobody’s watching.

  19. Emily says:

    My one year old and I love to dance it out!! Most recently it’s been the Hamilton soundtrack!

  20. Krysten says:

    I let go by baking. It helps me to not go crazy and relax. It’s important to let go.

  21. Mandi says:

    I definitely find it important to find humor EVERY DAY! One of my best trait is to bring the fun out in people, which just improves life in general. Thanks for a reminder!

  22. Milton Goh says:

    That’s a fun way to unwind and to release stress. Mostly I enjoy praying and talking to God for I can truly cast my cares upon Him and feel a huge wave of peace after that.

  23. Laurie Stone says:

    Doesn’t it feel like all the fun’s been sucked out of life lately? Everything life-affirming and kind and cool is being dismembered like a side of beef. Dancing with my dog? Why not? I’ll take anything.

  24. Music and dancing is two of my biggest passions. It helps me study, feel energized and makes me feel happier x

  25. I like to crank up the volume when I’m driving and do some sit-down dancing to the Rolling Stones or Tina Turner while hurtling down the highway. And laughter–with Hubs, a good friend or just myself–is always a good stress-buster, enhanced by an oaky Chardonnay.

  26. Dancing is a great outlet for stress most definitely. Anything that I can to get away and not think on things works for me.

  27. I have music going all the time, although I’m not a dancer at all. I’ve been listening to Hamilton on repeat since I saw the show but I don’t think it’s helping me de-stress from what’s going on in this country!

  28. HeleNe cohen bludman says:

    I totally do that! It’s such a stress reliever!

  29. Kelly Reci says:

    i think i have to do that!! i used to d zumba class before, lol i think i have to tune up the music and let my body do the moves!! lol very nice post!!

  30. Sondra Barker says:

    Dancing and music are the key to happy times! It is definitely a stress reliever as well as just good memories. :]

  31. eazynazy says:

    Dancing to my fav music is my stress buster

  32. blair villanueva says:

    Sometimes I grabbed my squad and we go for karaoke all night long, just to let go 🙂

    It was fun, and the next day we are silent because we don’t have voice, literally

  33. Dancing is a great way to let you go!
    I love dancing with my favourite music,but also just only following music rithms helps me!

  34. Elizabeth O. says:

    Who doesn’t love letting loose and just dancing the craziness and the stress away! I think it’s a lovely way to get rid of all the negative vibes.

  35. I usually do some crazy things like out of tune singing, shouting, dancing that make me realize I am still human and not a robot. Music has the power to move us, it heals us, it motivate us.

  36. Nothing like a good tune and a boogie to chase the cares away! 🙂 TwinklyTuesday

  37. Shobika says:

    Haha, I can relate to your post so so much. I love spending nights at home where I crank up the music and dance in my room. Not only does this relieve my stress but gets me in a giddy mood 🙂 Thanks for reminding me to do it tonight 😉

  38. Cameron says:

    What a great way to get your mind off of something! We will play and dance to some Sinatra while cooking dinner sometimes, and it is so much fun!

  39. michelle says:

    I so agree with you. I am so sick of the drama and arguing over the election. Dogs are definitely here to take away our stress, and not take life too seriously. I also love dancing and hiking.

  40. As you said we can’t let the negativity drag us down. We must stay strong, united we stand, divided we fall.

  41. Check out this list:
    https://play.spotify.com/user/happierwithgretchenrubin/playlist/4OJtnTLct2v1YiKryA7iGB

    And if you want to dance, I find American Tribal Style belly dance to be a fabulous combination of music, movement, and community (since it is a group synchronized improvised dance form). Check out InannaRaqs.com for our local classes

  42. Taty Pradilla says:

    My kids and I do this at least twice a week. It is fun to start dancing like no one is watching and just let it all go.

  43. There’s nothing like a good dance is there? Especially with a dog!! I love dancing with my two boys though- the smiles on the faces! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

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