Drink a Cold Beer

“Honey, why don’t you drink a cold beer?” She says. My mind races behind the newspaper. What’s this? Did she crash the car? Go on one of those shopping trips with her sister? God forbid she booked us tickets to a musical? I placidly mull over her question with no outward signs of panic and measure my answer carefully. A non-committal grunt suffices. “It’s just that, you’ve been a real grouch lately,” she adds, “and you’re always a lot more in control of your stress levels after you’ve had a beer. Just one though. Maybe two. Do you know what I mean, sweetie?”

I don’t buy it. She didn’t come up with this idea on her own; she’s obviously heard this from a girlfriend who experienced the stress control truth with her own beau. I’ve been telling my sweet darling angel this very thing for a dozen years. But, of course, my opinions carry little weight compared to the biweekly, screeching, lunchtime margarita crew. A relaxing beer? Imagine that.

Prescription Drugs

Learning to control stress is something we could all use a hand in. Going to therapy is always an option, and nowadays, there’s absolutely no stigma attached to talking to a professional thought organizer. Beware of talking about such things to a regular medical doctor, though. The medical model is generally all about addressing the symptoms, rather than the underlying cause. A lot of doctors will recommend drug treatment, rather than refer you to a  psychotherapist, whether a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

Consult a Therapist

Many people don’t know the difference; a psychiatrist is a medical doctor with four years of residency training in mental health treatment, who can prescribe drugs. A psychologist is someone with a Master’s degree or Doctorate in the science of psychology, usually following a Bachelor’s degree in the same subject. There is a pronounced overlap between psychiatry and clinical psychology, but that’s the primary distinction.

Talk Things Out With a Close Friend

So what’s the difference between talking to a psychotherapist or talking things out with a close personal friend? When it comes to controlling stress; not much. The main difference is a professional will give an unbiased, considered, educated opinion about your condition, and can recommend tried and trusted techniques to improve your situation. A friend who knows you extremely well may also be capable of proffering a similarly effective opinion and solution, though obviously, it depends on the personal qualities and knowledge base of the individual.

Meditation

One of the techniques both a professional and a layman friend may recommend is meditation. There are many different types and techniques, but the common root is quiet contemplation and controlled breathing. The overriding goal is to achieve a higher state of awareness through advanced relaxation. Or to control stress; a more relaxed and peaceful mindset. Meditation is practiced in almost every religion, as well as secularly. It has been around for about as long as we have, which vouches for its legendary effectiveness. Some say you can meditate with a cold beer. I say it’s worth a try.

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