How Do You Relieve Stress?

[oneyedchicklet]

Hey Everyone,

After 7 weeksl of disability, I can finally go back to work next week. I've had a heartattack, angioplasty, a large lump removed from my breast and I continue to have seizures. Not to mention countless tests and doctors visits.

Aside from having a crappy diet, most of this was brought on by stress. Well, the seizures I've had for the last 21 years caused by severe head trauma. But they are also triggered by stress.

My doctor says that I have to avoid stress and stressful situations at all costs. I have different ways of dealing with it, but sometimes it just gets too overwhelming and I can't control it. My job at times can be very stressful since I have turn around times to make everyday. But I do know that the one person that caused most of my work stress has quit. So thats one ace in the hole.

I was just wondering what everyone else does to reduce stress. Give me some new ideas please.

Love to All,
Barb

[Emms]

well....one way that I like to relieve stress is to put together a puzzle. Not one of those massive puzzles with like 10,000 pieces, but smaller puzzles...like 500 pieces...something that I can finish within a relatively short amount of time. I don't know if that would work for you...but it's what I do.

xoxo
Emms

[FineyMcFine]

I used to relieve stress by getting really drunk every night, but that ended up causing me more stress in the long run so I don't recommend it.

What I do now is try to get regular exercise every day; that's the thing that helps me the most. I walk a couple of miles usually, or unwind by doing yard work. House cleaning helps me to de-stress since the messier the house, the more cluttered the state of my mind.

I started taking a yoga class once a week and that is helping a lot too.

Herbal tea and reading books (not so much reading on the computer), and not overdosing on the caffeine. Laughing a lot. Sometimes talking to friends. Sex! (ETA: or self-lovin'.)

Strangely, watching TV and reading fanfic on the computer or surfing the net for long periods of time don't do a lot to lower my stress level, possibly because it's more zoning out and eyestrain than something interactive, or active. An hour is fine, but I always feel beat after a three-hour computer- or TV-watching session.

[watty]

I'm an extremely wound up person who can't sit still for any length of time and feel the effects of stress acutely.

When it gets bad and my shoulders and back tense up, I go for a massage. My gf and I try to go for foot massage (the painful reflexology kind) every 1-2 weeks and we love it. Afterwards our feet feel for a while like we're walking on air.

Another way of de-stressing is eating. Not chocolate or junk food, but taking the time to make a meal yourself. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, a salad or homemade soup or simple pasta. I'd go further and say sit down and eat it slowly, even though I don't practice what I preach.

By far the best for me is sleep. I go to bed at an unhealthily late hour and it builds up. When I get too tired to function I sleep in the afternoon on a weekend to catch up, not sure if your commitments etc will allow you. Also, short naps are refreshing, I take an ice-cool eye-pack and nap on the couch for 20-30 mins and feel much better afterwards. That's how Margaret Thatcher was able to cope with her job, she took 20 min "powernaps" during the day to recharge.

Barb, I hope you're feeling better after your surgery, and I second Sally's mild exercise and yoga regime. It's something I know I need to start doing, it's one of the best form of relaxation and towards a healthier life.
[br]

[Trom DeGrey]

HI sweetie! I hope your recovery is going well. I'm a massage therapist and we give self-care lectures to the nursing students in the school down the hall from our office. The biggest thing we always try to impress upon them is that they have to be able to take time for themselves every week. Preferably everyday, but we all have times when the whole world seems to need our attention now, now, NOW.

I like to go for walks, do yoga, write and take photographs. I also have fun going ghost hunting, but your heart might not need that. I get a massage as often as possible too.

My business partner has epilepsy and her seizures are stress induced as well. About four months ago, she started trading massages for stress reducing hypnotherapy sessions with the hypnotist here in the building. Believe it or not, she has been seizure free and off her meds for about three months now. I decided to try the hypnotism for my stress about two weeks ago and I can't believe the difference it's made in me! Put on some headphones, listen to some soothing music and a soothing voice, zone out for a while and walk out feeling like a million bucks! Something for you to look into maybe.

Best of luck!!!

[skittles]

three words:

Primal Scream Therapy

find a sound secure room or area.... and let it all out.... then you'll start laughing at the silliness of it... and the relief it may or may not bring.

I need to do this again really really soon.

G'night.

[angel of salvation]

i lot of the time i get rid of stress by beating up my wall or something violent. but the other times when i dnt want to make my knuckles start to bleed...i sit in the dark and listen to some music and talk to my honey for as long as i can. i start to wind down and forget what i was stressed about. plus he helps me to figure out solutions to problems

Jess xxx

[ficklefox]

I agree about yoga, I find it very good for stress. I do running too which seems to get rid of all the tension in me, but if you've had heart trouble that may not be a good suggestion. I've recently taken up meditation and visualisation, where I just sit and focus on an image in my mind such as a white sandy beach or riding a horse or something nice. I hope you're feeling better now.

[Emms]

I've come up with something else for you sweetie. I did a little research and have discovered a marvelous meditation exercise that focuses on the body's ability to heal itself.

What you do is this:

Find a quiet room, where you can be alone without fear of being interrupted or becoming distracted.

Prepare three raisins on the floor in front of you, then close your eyes.

You take the first raisin and put it in your mouth (but don't just chew it up and swallow it.) Focus on the raisin; how it tastes, feels, smells. Do this for three minutes.

After three minutes take up the next raisin and follow the same process. Repeat that process with all three raisins (remember not to think of anything else except the raisin.)

This meditation exercise is used to strengthen our ability to become tuned in to the mind/body connection that already exists. (plus, it's pretty relaxing...I've tried it myself)

I hope that helps a little....if I find anything else, I'll let you know.

xoxo
Emms

[tybee317]

Glad that you are on the mend! Sounds like you have had an awful lot to deal with lately. Going back to work will be good.

I de-stress by throwing tennis balls for my 2 dogs or taking them to the park for a walk. Gardening is always good, reading books, and of all things, cooking relaxes me. I am now looking for a small sailboat, something like a Sunfish or a Laser, I feel a strong urge to sail again for some unknown reason, there is a pond behind the house. Being on the water is the absolute best for me, it is a relatively quiet pursuit.

[hahler]

After my back injury and being told that i could not be a full time cowgirl anymore or risk being paralyzed by the time im 40 i started to do tai chi and i love it it is relaxing and reduces my stress. i still go out and ride a couple of my ponies in the mountains a couple of times a week and that also helps. tai chi helped pull me out of my depression. also turning off my satelite dish helped to.



hahler

[ambercissism]

Unwind. Try to get out of the house and take a walk at the park. I'm just thirty minutes away from the sea, and when I'm stress (and depress) I find it soothing and relaxing watching the sunset by the sea. The calming sound of the waves is really relaxing. And lastly, I try to eat as much healthy food as I can. Our health, the food we eat are all connected and the way we feel are sometimes "affected" by what we eat.

[oneyedchicklet]

Thanks for all your advice everyone. I'm going in to work just for a few hours today. To basically, try the waters out.

I'm kind of partial to Skittles advice. Although, I pretty much do that now. Except for the laughing thing.

Wish me luck.

Love to All,
Barb

[ficklefox]

Good luck, hope everything goes well for you.

[smallvoice]

i clean the toilet, and kitchen sink. i find the smell of bleach or disinfectant soothing. then take hot shower, just let the water ram on my back for about 20min. after that, i watch some movies on dvd. lotr mostly or back to the future or indiana jones or terminator part 1.

or if i should decide to go out, i go for foot and body massage at a blind massage center. then walk over to a dvd shop and just immerse myself in there.

or i go shopping!

if nothing else works, i take xanax and sleep the day away.

i hope you're doing ok by now.

take care,

smallvoice

[tif]

i paint. or write a song. sometimes when it's too depressing i take a walk. right now, the crappiness have become monumental i am on my way to climb a mountain. yep. i'm goin' on a hike, baby!

[gabbles]

Okay, I'm REALLY suprised noone's suggested this yet, and I'm not being pervy...it's scientifically proven...one of the best ways to de-stress is... ORGASMS

How ever you wanna go about getting 'em, go for it...but seriously, it releases endorphins and leads to a happier, more relaxed frame of mind!

Oh, come on, someone had to say it!

So, happy de-stressing! *hugz* to you hun

*hugz*
~Gabs

[LtSticks]

Gabbles: I was going to say it in this post but I got all shy

I tend to listen to music a lot or read, music tends to have a great effect on me, so if I'm down, in the CD player goes some feel-good tunes. Works every time.

I've been running a lot recently as well, possibly cos it's either burn off anger at evil girls by running 10 miles, or ramming my fist into a brick wall. Figured the running was the less painful lol.

[gabbles]

LtSticks...haha normally I'd be waaay too shy, also...but it had to be said! I mean, really had to...I read the subject of the thread and automatically went 'Orgasms!!'

Come on, gals (and guys:)), Sticks admitted it, who else thought it?

*hugz*
~Gabs

[Trom DeGrey]

I am so utterly depressed. That didn't occur to me at all!

[Gatito Grande]

Gabbles, it's the only thing I thought. [To be fair, Sally McFine at least implied it! "Sex! (ETA: or self-lovin'.)"]

GG Though I also enjoy hiking . . . just not every night! Out

[amber 4 prez]

hm...orgasms...yea, that's one of the many...

I play DDR sometimes when I'm stressed, other times I beat the crap outta my heavy bag...or brother, whatever is closer.

[ambercissism]

Come on, gals (and guys:)), Sticks admitted it, who else thought it?

All right, I admit it! Besides unwinding, orgasms too

[Tangetman]

Relieving Stress?

Hmmm...

Try soft relaxing music.
Try reading a story you love (Kitten Fanfic works for me)
Try breathing exorcises (take a breath hold it for a few seconds then let it out slowly - clear your mind and you'll find yourself relaxing while doing this)
Try petting a cat or dog. (It's medically proven to lower your heart rate)
Try snuggles with your partner (What could be more relaxing?)
Try watching a movie you love.

See if these help and good luck,

[Effieblue]

I gotta admit, orgasms was first on my list, (no suprise there lol. )

Second, have a quick look through the phone book, make a note of all the taxi firms local to the person who is annoying you most, ring each taxi company and order taxis 15 minutes apart for annoying persons address.

This has the result of not only making you feel good at the time of doing it... but also has a knock on effect of knowing that in future, "annoying person" wont be able to get a taxi locally for a long time. This is great for short term and long term stress relief.

[LtSticks]

LOL thats evil! And genius! *gets a list of taxi firms for evil mind-messing cow*

[Lindelaure]

Second, have a quick look through the phone book, make a note of all the taxi firms local to the person who is annoying you most, ring each taxi company and order taxis 15 minutes apart for annoying persons address.

This has the result of not only making you feel good at the time of doing it... but also has a knock on effect of knowing that in future, "annoying person" wont be able to get a taxi locally for a long time. This is great for short term and long term stress relief.

Wow that's some creativity you got there. Well focused creativity, I must add.

I usually get my headphones, lock my door and daaaance to the music. It's refreshing after a hard day. I also play free cell on the computer, but that's because I'm more of a free cell junkie than to relieve stress, but it helps.

[Willowtree252]

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gabbles wrote:
Come on, gals (and guys:)), Sticks admitted it, who else thought it?


All right, I admit it! Besides unwinding, orgasms too

How did I miss this thread, ok I take nap's many many nap's trust me is works!

[rumble_bubbles]

When I'm stressed, I usually call my friends and complain. My friends are fantastic and always manage to make me feel better. Painting, playing an instrument or singing also really help me de-stress. If you don't do anything like that, try doing something you enjoy that's similar, like... reading. Cleaning also helps me clear my mind. Exam time, while trying to keep my marks above 80% to keep my full scholarship and manage two jobs, as well as my social life and parents, usually comes with a superbly clean apartment .