When stress/anxiety makes you physically ill, how do you cope?

Yoga.

Try to get some rest (when you’re able to). You’re wearing your poor body down. You need a decent night’s sleep. Eat well and exercise. I know that it seems simple, but, really all of these things works wonders. I find that if I take time to decompress (rest/relaxation), add a little bit of exercise (brisk walk/yoga) and get some good, healthy food into my belly, I’m fine. Even when I’m going through some pretty heavy shit.

I hope that you feel better and that things are better for you.

Ram Dass said “IF YOU EVER GET SO EFFICIENT…
IF YOU’VE GOT TO TURN OFF ALL THE VIBRATIONS OF THE SCENE..
BECAUSE YOU’RE SO BUSY
ABOUT THE FUTURE OR THE PAST OR
TIME HAS CAUGHT YOU..
(IT COSTS TOO MUCH !!)”
Take a break or a walk, Meditate or do something you truly enjoy. Get out of that stressful scene and Live for a while. Breathe, Walk, talk, take a whole new Look at life then you can face those menial tasks with a purpose and look forward to the next walk.
Be well.

Rest and some therapy or talking with my mum.

I’ve had this issue for as long as I can remember.
The only time I’m not feeling sick is when I’m with my horses or my SO.
Even he tells me that it’s all in my head..
Go for a run [if you’re into that kinda thing], take a bubble bath with your favorite music then get a good nights sleep.
It’s usually a good temporary fix for me.

I try and get some perspective on how my issue fits into the bigger picture of my life, and the world, in general.

If that doesn’t work and I’m consumed with anxiety, the first thing I do is go out and take a walk and get some fresh air, regardless of the weather. After that, I feel like a really good workout gets rid of some of that gross anxiety hormone and ‘spins me out of it’ a little. It then at least tires me out enough that I speel well that night – which helps me get a handle on the overall problem.

@figbash: In this particular case, the anxiety is due to something that ultimately will take my life in a completely different, permanent direction. So it’s pretty huge, in the bigger picture.

Im bipolar. I tried to kill myself in June 23rd 2006. I see a shrink and a therapist every month. I take zoloft, lithium, and seroquel. I know you didn’ want to hear about meds but that is part of my treatment. I am a 27 year old drug addict and depressed and manic but im doing a lot better. I am the best I have been in a while. I still slip up and do drugs but it nowhere near what it used to be. I quit smoking cigs last april 09 and started skating and riding a mountain bike 10–20 miles a day 3–4 times a week. I skate too. Any exercise makes you forget your problems temporarily and you feel happier after exercise. You get an endorphin buzz which is similar to heroin. Do some sort of art. That will mellow you out. Breaking things can help relieve some bad vibes then you feel better.

I’m guessing this is a one time case.

In that circumstance you should hydrate because often we forget to do so when stressed. And you need Rest. Beyond that you need to do something that keeps both your hands and mind occupied. A craft or hobby for example, even if it is just a one-time thing. If you have no ideas go to a craft store and ask.

Also music is very very healthy in terms of de-stressing. Any type of music will work as long as it is a type that you like “normally”.

When it comes to life changing anxiety you really have to accept this idea of living one day at a time or one hour at a time. Just allow yourself to live in the moment and take care of yourself physically as much as possible.

One other thing that helped me that is quite simple was engaging in a TV series on DVD. I just got really into it and kept watching one DVD after the next. It worked wonders.

I’m not really sure how to cope. I’ve been doing yoga lately, but I’m only stress-free for that hour. As soon as I leave, there it is again. I’ve heard yoga helps most people though, so give it a try. And listen to @RedPowerLady she knows what she’s talking about.

I lie on the couch or bed (wherever I can be completely alone) with the lights low and a few candles lit. I listen to either very mellow music or a meditaton CD.

@Supacase Candles are great to watch when relaxing! Good one.

@Facade Thanx :)

@Supacase / and lavalamps!

Running solves everything, at least for a half hour or so.

All these are good answers. And when you’re in that place, it is so hard to see outside of it. But I think that if you can work to put your issue in perspective, from the point of view of your whole life, or this year, or in this place, it can help a bit. And then do all the exercise, yoga, swimming (my personal choice) that you can. Some things are just out of our control, and that is the hardest thing to come to terms with. But it is very liberating if you can just let them go.

Get enough sleep and drag myself to exercise even though these times it is the hardest.

Chocolate and coffee.

Trying to set aside times when I think about it and times when I don’t.