[steinbock]

So I've been feeling a lot of stress lately...from everything. I know I can't keep up the dizzying pace I'm running at lately, but I was hoping that some people would have ideas on how to relieve just a little bit of the stress I have until I get a chance to take a breather in my life. Now here's the real catch-22...I have zero time to go for a run or anything nice and healthy like that.

So...any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[writetheway]

I push myself too hard sometimes - going for weeks of school with not enough sleep and barely enough food. The only thing that helps is taking a day off and doing absolutely nothing but sleeping. (oh, and eating and lazing around.) I also have unhealthy ways of dealing, but I guess you don't want to hear those.

Sorry!

 

[steinbock]

i don't know...i'm getting pretty desperate. as long as it's nothing illegal...

but in an odd way, it's kind of comforting i'm not the only person out there that pushes herself way past her limit...and is stubborn enough to keep pushing...

thanks anyway

 

[GhostUser]

Yoga

Working out

Arts and crafts

Drawing

Painting

Listening to music

Writing in a journal

I do all of these things to relieve stress.

 

[ketivnilloc]

i second music. you can do it whenever you want. I listen to music almost constantly and it really helps with stress. WHen my mp3 player was being repaired....i was a ferocious beast that would kill anything in view (except animals).

 

[steinbock]

thanks guys!

i have music playing a lot too...but maybe i'm listening to the wrong genre...what do you listen to when you just want to relieve stress?

hmm...I used to write in a journal...but then I started being too exhausted to write...but i think I may try and force myself to stay up and write...after all, if i write, it may be a more restful sleep (did that make sense?)

yoga...i tried that once...i forget why i stopped...maybe i should start that up again too...

thanks again!

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steinbock

thanks guys!

i have music playing a lot too...but maybe i'm listening to the wrong genre...what do you listen to when you just want to relieve stress?

hmm...I used to write in a journal...but then I started being too exhausted to write...but i think I may try and force myself to stay up and write...after all, if i write, it may be a more restful sleep (did that make sense?)

yoga...i tried that once...i forget why i stopped...maybe i should start that up again too...

thanks again!

You're welcome!!

I usually listen to classical music when trying to relieve stress. If there are words in the music, they're usually distracting to me and I'll try to sing along. Music with only stringed instruments (in particular) can be very beautiful and extremely relaxing.

Instead of forcing yourself to write in a journal, only write in it if you think it will help to list the specific things that are stressing you. Sometimes writing a list will help you release it from your mind, other times it won't. Experiment with it and see how it works!

Good luck with de-stressing.

 

[steinbock]

thanks...

i sure hope it does work out

and thanks for the well wishes...now if only i could simply get rid of the causes of stress...then this mess would be SOO much simpler

 

[GhostUser]

Yup, I know the feeling.. stress was something that contributed to me being hospitalized for a few days (long story), so I have been working on ways to reduce my causes of stress and alleviate it. I am getting a lot better with it, and I don't feel nearly as stressed as I used to just a few weeks ago.

If you try out some of the things on that list, hopefully you will feel less stressed. And sometimes, you just need someone to talk to and you feel better. Please PM me if you need to chat!

 

[steinbock]

please tell me you were an extreme case and that i don't have hospitalization to look forward to if i don't lighten up...heck it'd probably make things worse

and thanks for the offer...though you may want to watch out, i may just take you up on it

 

[ketivnilloc]

i personally find classical-ish music too slow. it makes me feel more stressed because i want the tempo to pick up. I like to listen to hard techno, dance stuff, but everyone is different.

 

[steinbock]

well...i'll try a bit of each and see which works best...sounds like a trip to the CD section of the library is in store for me

 

[ketivnilloc]

it's kinda random, but as it is playing on the radio right now i can't resist. The song "It's Raining Men" always makes me laugh and feel better...maybe it's because it's almost 10 pm and i have two papers due tomorrow that i haven't even started yet.

 

[steinbock]

haha,

that is a good song

I'll have to find a CD with it on there..

aw man, I wish it were almost 10...

and i feel your pain, i have two huge tests tomorrow that are in my two worst classes

thanks again

 

[Keelin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steinbock

what do you listen to when you just want to relieve stress?

I've been working on a de-stresser CD the last couple of days

I especially recommend anything by Eva Cassidy, Natasha Bedingfield, and Jem. Tegan & Sara are also awesome, if not so relaxing, heh.

 

[Pirate Ferret]

I dont think it matters what type of music as long as you have a good dance, hehe.

 

[GhostUser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steinbock

please tell me you were an extreme case and that i don't have hospitalization to look forward to if i don't lighten up...heck it'd probably make things worse

and thanks for the offer...though you may want to watch out, i may just take you up on it

Trust me, it was an extreme case. I had a lot of other things going on health-wise that got me there, also. But I'm better now, so now worries!

You know how to reach me if you need me!

 

[steinbock]

thanks everyone! I'll look up those artists when I go to the library! Thanks for the suggestions!

veggiejanie- thanks for laying my fears ot rest, and thanks again for the offer of an open ear!

 

[Bios]

Stress isn't your life. Stress is your response to your life.

I've found that focusing on one task at a time, and allowing myself to feel the satisfaction for finishing it before moving on or worrying about the next thing really helps. So does intentionally looking for the positives. And, silly as it sounds, smiling. Expressions don't just arise from our feelings, they help form our feelings.

I'd also think very seriously about what I could cut to get in some exercise time. The payoff in increased energy and health ends up making it an even trade at least, usually.

Peace,

Jeanne

 

[Ludi]

For me, gardening.