How some of our readers cope with stress

Dubai: Stressed out? Six out of ten Gulf News readers prefer to listen to music or meditate and pray to de-stress, according to a gulfnews.com poll.

The survey was based on a recent news report from the UK stating that stressed workers were being offered jars of fresh air to relax — 10 minutes of peace. The techniques that stress.about.com offers to restore inner peace and physical health are breathing exercises, humour, music, yoga, writing and finding perspective.

Kellie Drayton, a self-employed writer based in Dubai, says that to release tension, she focuses on finding her "centre".

"I try to focus on the issues ... find a solution, and if I can't, I let it go."

Physiotherapist Ezzat Moghazy says that stress affects our mental and spiritual health. "Music is also used to help relieve stress ... soft music can be used to relax and upbeat music to make you more energised."

Several other readers talked about their techniques, which included riding a motorbike and escaping traffic jams to just learning to let go when all fails.