Destress

[aladams2]

What do you do to destress? Since August I've been feeling really stressed and have worked it up so much that I'm making myself sick. I get upset stomachs frequently and feel nauseated. Some days are better, but I'm trying to find different ways to overcome it. What do you do to calm down.

 

[KandD]

I hear ya! My life is really crazy right now. I won't go into details but I work and go to school A LOT so I have limited time for "me" things. But what I have worked into the schedule are pedicures (I don't eat lunch out at all anymore and I go on days when the pedicures are $20 so I don't feel guilty spending the money).
I also try to have a glass of wine or dinner with a friend every couple of weeks because that is great as a destressor and to take your mind off of things.
My fiance and I have also started a bit of our own thing. We rent TV series from Netflix and watch the series or season over the course of a few weeks. Watching a show on DVD for some reason gives me a totally different experience than watching regular TV. When you are able to watch a whole bunch of episodes altogether you get really emersed in the show and we look forward to the nights that we are home early enough to watch a few episodes together.
Now my doctor also just put me on an anxiety med so maybe I am not the best person to be giving advice on destressors!!! But everyone needs to find a balance and you can't be on the go all of the time.

 

[kacaju]

I go to the beach..sitting back breathing in the salt air does wonders!!

 

[Micca]

You'll get some good tips here, hopefully some will work for you. I'd suggest talking to your doctor about it too. I did this a few years ago and dreaded talking to the doc, but it turned out to be no big deal and he really helped me. No need to make yourself sick with stress.

 

[mouseforcemom]

I do something creative outside of work. Mainly paint, sew or some other craft that I can focus on for awhile. The quiet of working singly towards something that won't affect work, school, home, etc. if I mess it up is great and also expands my abilities in other areas (paper crafts, floral arrangements, jewelry making).

Another thing I do, and maybe it's a bit OCD, is organize and clean while listening to books on my iPod. I tend to tense up if the house gets too out of whack so listening to the audiobook allows the time to pass nicely and I can get some home-work done enjoyably. Weird, maybe.

 

[aladams2]

I talked to a dr. in Sept. and realized that it was stress related. My symptoms went away, but came back this past week. He told me to do cardio, which I didn't do, so I've been trying to do that. But finding the time is hard. I love to scrap and that does help, but I ran out of pics and have to print more = spend $. That is the majority of the stress. Most everything in my life is really good, just get too worked up and can't find a way to calm down. I'm reading a book and that helps,sometimes. I wish I could go to the beach like the PP said, but I live in Wisconsin, and that is Definately not an option!!! Thanks for the input and keep them coming. Something has got to work.

 

[locolala]

Bottle of wine, hot bubble bath with candles and a trashy romance novel. Works every time. I even put music on to block out the sounds in my house. Of course, I only do this when DH is home to take care of the baby.

 

[minkydog]

Stress is a big part of my life, so I really identify with you. Some non-medicinal things I do to de-stress include working out and quilting. I don't get to work out as much as I should, but i try to hit the gym 2-3 times a week. I recently picked up an unfinished quilt-top that I have been messing around with on & off for about 3 years. My sister kinda pushed me to finish it and I did. I enjoyed the solitary work so much, I have acquired some materials to start a new quilt. I have a large stash of older materials so I didn't have to spend a fortune, either.

I guess my one daily destressor would have to be my bath-time. I've always been a shower person, in/out, dried & dressed. For some reason, I started drawing a tub bath instead. I don't use oils, bubbles or candles. Just a locked door, a bunch of hot water, my bifocals and a good book for about 30 min. If the water starts getting cold, I just add a little more hot water. Those minutes are SACRED. Nobody is allowed to come or even talk to me through the door. I figure a long hot bath is probably better for me than Xanax, so I don't feel guilty at all.

 

[figment52]

How about a 20 minute walk....

 

[AKL_Megs]

For me, it all starts with a nice glass of wine.

If it is still daytime out (and Spring/Summer/Fall) I like to go and do a little gardening. I deadhead flowers, pull weeds, water everything, and enjoy the weather and wine!

If it is night time, I take a nice, hot shower, and relax in my favorite pajamas and either watch a DVR'ed show, rent a movie, or find something OnDemand, while I enjoy a nice glass of wine and a snack.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I go to a yoga class.

 

[houstonbch]

I meditate at night, practicing my breathing. (breathe in through your nose for 3 seconds, exhale through your mouth for 3 seconds. breathing from deeper inside with each breath until you feel yourself breathing with your diaphram). I also take long bubble baths and burn lavender oils to relax. At times when I am not able to physically remove myself from stressful situations (like long lines at stores, etc), I listen to music. The headphones also keep strangers from approaching me. I know that sounds anti-social, but I don't always feel like talking, especially small talk. I'm just quiet that way, even with my friends and family.

 

[airhead]

That's why hobbies are so important! They help you mentally get away from things that stress you out. I train my dogs for obedience competition. This is not only rewarding,but takes total commitment and focus. When I'm training, nothing else is in my head. Find something you like to do and get involved!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Cut out caffeine for starters. Just doing that for me brings on a calming effect.

Eating healthier with more fresh fruits, veggies, fiber, etc. and eat NO fast food. That stuff can make you feel "sick" when you are stressed. Plus I watch my fat, sugar and bread intake. This is the part that makes me feel A LOT better.

Exercise, even if it is just a walk. Join a gym if you can afford it. I would love to do that.

Right now I settle for walking my dogs at the park and we have an old treadmill and exercise machine in the basement.

 

[FireDancer]

I go for a run and it works every time.

 

[Best Aunt]

Watch TV with my cat on my lap. He gets so relaxed, it helps me relax.

 

[MM27]

I take my dog for a 45min-1hr walk every day. When I get home from work, the first thing I do is grab her leash, put her in the car and drive to the park. It's a big 200+ acrea park with paths through the woods. It's so relaxing. The deer come out for dinner at about the time I take her now in the fall, and last year I saw a fox. I can totally get my mind off of things when I'm there and by the time I get home, even if I think about issues I've had, I am much more relaxed.