What methods do you use to combat stress?

Listening to music does the trick for me. All of my stress fizzles away when I’m singing along to music in my car or on Rock Band.

Edit: Exercise does the trick, too.

Yoga, ice cream, cannabis, music, Rock Band drums. Not necessarily in that order.

Also, finding anything that will occupy my attention for a long time, such that I’m not thinking about the stressful item. Quilting and sewing does this.

Exercise works for me. Soaking in the tub, a glass of wine or two, and sleeping.

Sleeping! I could fall asleep on a dime. When I’m really having a stressful day, I like to fall….ZZZZZzzzzzz ZZZZZZZzzzzz

Re-arranging my closet.

Similar to @TenaciousDenny and @Mr_M: Music or sleeping.

The best, of course, is sleeping while listening to music.
Go to bed early, put on the headphones, little jazz…I’m right as rain the next day

I have tried an infinite number of things. Exercise, yoga, meditation all work somewhat for me, but not enough.

Sleeping and bathing.

Drums. Music. Sleeping. Beating the shit out of pillows.

@jo_with_no_space: Simultaneously? ;^)

Snuggles.
Cleaning.
Snuggles.
Reading.
Snuggles.
Hugs.
Snuggles.
Soaking in the bath.
Snuggles.
Getting a nice lunch and taking a deep breath.

@EmpressPixie – Lurve for getting your Recommended Daily Allowance of snuggles.

Breathing (this is a new one)
Moving
Cleaning
Music
Talking to friends

@aprilsimnel: I’m a big fan of my RDA of snuggles. I’m pretty sure there are legitimate health benefits. Like being snuggled. People who maintain their RDA probably live longer.

Build an emotional firewall.

Good hygiene/grooming
Organized home
Music
Writing
Dancing

Generally, I believe in the policy of using overwealming force in any combat situation. I call in days of air strikes (including cruise missiles), and then send in the ground troups. Usually, stress has surrendered by the end of the first day of ground combat. Things are generally fine for a few days, and then the insurrection starts. At that point we’re all flummoxed and it seems best to withdraw, because then, we can use air strikes again!

i will ask myself what is it exactly that is stressing me out, and try to think through the issue. then i’ll try to reassure myself that it’s not something to worry about, or that i have been doing some pro-active things to change the situation. for example, lately my job has been really stressing me out. i don’t like my supervisor. so i have been applying for other civil service exams, and telling myself that don’t worry, you will be taking tests, and won’t be in the present job for more than a few months, plus i have been doing things to make my present job more tolerable, so i remind myself of that.

Read

ice cream , movies with people getting killed, working out, igroring the sources of my stress, being myself,fluther

Exercise, yoga (really love yoga!), read, write and play with the kids. I have to remove myself from the situation and do something completely different. It’s almost like pressing a reset button. If I am in a situation where I cannot take a long break – I might excuse myself drink some water – something quick, take a deep breath and try to focus.

@cprevite Sometimes just a little nap in the bath :)

I have what I call an ‘Hour of Power’.
20 Minutes of Exercise
20 Minutes of Meditation
20 Minutes of Spiritual/Scripture Study
After this ‘Hour of Power’, I relax with a book or a good movie.