What methods of dealing with stress have really helped you?
I have had over the last year I would say had major stressors, moving, changing country, selling my home, a death to name a few and I find that I have become quite run down and sickly. The reality of how stress can cause illness has really hit home for me.
I want to tackle my stress and do so by meditating for example. Clearly this is not enough. Some would say exercise, but I have been too unwell to try this although, I do walk more. Maybe laughter and spending time with fun friends helped you?
Has anyone here used effective methods that actually did reduce stress? I find that the events play over and over in my head. I can’t afford a therapist so unfortunately that would not be an answer in my case.
If you have any ideas or even better some methods where stress did affect your health and the used methods subsequently reduced your stress would be appreciated. Or even an inspirational site about stress management would be great.
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Laughter. Seriously. Whenever I’m faced with something stressful and out of my control, I seek things that make me laugh like there’s no tomorrow. It provides me with enough temporary relief to help me get myself back on track so that I can tackle whatever it is that’s bugging me.
Check this out! I laughed so hard that I cried! :)
I am rigid about my exercise program, which doesn’t look very exciting, but is a challenge for me.
I eat well down on the food chain 99% of the time. I cheat only with a little dairy now and then; at least the cow can walk away after being milked.
I meditate, laugh and play with my cat. I allow myself five minutes of worrying or whining on the phone or with friends and that is IT.
Yesterday I got a 17-year clean bill of health at my oncologist’s and permission to see him every other year from now on if I agreed to the yearly mammogram. The nurses said that he rarely caves on the yearly visits, so I am pleased.
It helped that my blood pressure was 122/78 with no meds. At my age, that makes me his poster child.
I appreciate what I have and the things that make me happy. I focus on the positive instead of the negative.
You need to let your mind forget about all the bad stuff (I know, it’s hard) and concentrate on the things that make you happy. Allow yourself a moment to enjoy whatever it is that brings a smile to your face. A good friend or two is also helpful. A good friend will let you rant, then give you the hug you need.
I’m grateful for what I have and the people in my life. All that we have is all that we need.
Like jonsblond, I focus on the positive. Stay physically active, and laugh with my partner. I spend time with my family and have a few crazy pets who run about and make me laugh. I enjoy being out in nature. That’s a big one for me.
I have a few family members with health issues and I’m just grateful to be healthy and alive!!!
Stability. I order cable , television and internet and stay in familiar surroundings.
Nature, sleep, my pets, and yes…laughter, humor, and sometimes, marijuana. lol
I’m…not so good at this. I tend to do the comfort food thing, sleep a lot, and/or take Xanax.
It seems to me that there are (at least) two levels of stress: 1. the high anxiety panic when something really bad happens and 2. the day to day dealing with things when so much is going on. I have no idea how to deal with the first, other than try and breathe and live through it; that kind of stress is based on real terror of possible loss, and I have nothing to say about that except you hope to survive it.
The second though, the day to day working with high stress situations, seem perfect for some of the suggestions here, laughing and finding good comedy, taking yoga or other “good for you exercise,” running or walking regularly. I think taking slow deep breaths is good, and also allowing yourself the time you need to feel-really feel-what is causing you the stress. Don’t be hard on yourself for feeling it. Stress has a place in our lives—it tells us when things are too much. So listen to that and see if you can make changes (the ones that you have some control over) that will lessen the stress you are feeling.
Watching old movies at home or treating myself to a fancy dinner out.
Honestly, I work through whatever needs to be worked through, thinking of the end goal in mind (I.e. a vacation, maybe time off).
I watch a documentary or a simple programme that isn’t too depressing (Gilmore Girls was a real comfort to me last year, I have all the seasons on DVD and would watch them when I needed light relief). I may also watch a film with one of my favourite people in it.
Sometimes I sleep although at times I feel worse when I wake up so it depends on why I am stressed.
Walking my dog is also relaxing and has often helped me clear my head.
I dealt with stress very poorly for a long time and it exacerbated my health problems.
When it’s a constant thing (which it was, for me), I say reprioritize (health is more important than whatever else is going on). I had to change my general lifestyle in a big way. School and work don’t always come first anymore. I had to learn to respect my own needs more.
When it’s intermittent stuff (because you’re never going to fully eliminate stress), gaining perspective has worked for me. This won’t matter in a month, a year, a decade.
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