Stress & Anxiety - How do you cope?

[Gryffindorian]

For someone who lives with chronic anxiety and is on medication, I'm pretty much an upbeat guy with a positive attitude. For the most part, I'm happy with my health, family, and friends.

But even there are times when I feel overwhelmed. I have a tendency to worry about the future, in particular, dealing with the unpleasant, and I've been feeling more anxious lately. I have a co-worker who will be on vacation for the next couple of weeks, and I will be providing back-up coverage for this person, which means more stress and responsibilities for me. Also, beginning this time of the year, my spending goes up, and things get pretty expensive especially around the holidays.

I realize these are temporary circumstances, and things eventually will get better. Also, I practice deep breathing and progressive relaxation techniques to counter the stress. But sometimes anxiety gets the best of me, and it's almost a non-stop train of negative, unsettling thoughts.

What say you? How do you normally deal with everyday or long-term worries?

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Two things that help me:

Walking/hiking. The combination of exercise and being outdoors helps.

Coloring. Dover Publications publishes some nice coloring books for adults. I like to use fine-tipped markers to do complicated geometric designs.

 

[Kelthaz]

I go for walks or play video games.

 

[May 20]

I find that sticking to a rather solid routine helps me blunt the anxiety. That's the preventative. When there's a breakthrough, I either write copiously in stream-of-conscious or lose myself in a thick, wordy book.

 

[Amaris]

I tough it out, which is probably the worst thing you can do. Don't tough it out. Seriously. If someone says to tough it out, you ignore that bad advice.

 

[Taylirious]

Crying. Listening to music. Drinking.

 

[RandyS]

I tough it out, which is probably the worst thing you can do. Don't tough it out. Seriously. If someone says to tough it out, you ignore that bad advice.

Yeah, but sometimes, that's the ONLY thing you can do.

 

[Amaris]

I tough it out, which is probably the worst thing you can do. Don't tough it out. Seriously. If someone says to tough it out, you ignore that bad advice.

Yeah, but sometimes, that's the ONLY thing you can do.

Sure, I tough it out all of the time, but it's just bad advice, is what I'm saying. Toughing it out has lead to a myriad number of mental, emotional, and physical ailments.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Booze and baseball. Those usually do the trick.

 

[RandyS]

I tough it out, which is probably the worst thing you can do. Don't tough it out. Seriously. If someone says to tough it out, you ignore that bad advice.

Yeah, but sometimes, that's the ONLY thing you can do.

Sure, I tough it out all of the time, but it's just bad advice, is what I'm saying. Toughing it out has lead to a myriad number of mental, emotional, and physical ailments.

Do you take any medication for yours? I'm on Sertraline for mine,and it doesn't always help.

Watching my Star Trek DVD's helps a little, but not like it used to.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah, but sometimes, that's the ONLY thing you can do.

Sure, I tough it out all of the time, but it's just bad advice, is what I'm saying. Toughing it out has lead to a myriad number of mental, emotional, and physical ailments.

Do you take any medication for yours? I'm on Sertraline for mine,and it doesn't always help.

Watching my Star Trek DVD's helps a little, but not like it used to.

No, I don't take any medication as of yet. My doctor's visit is a few weeks away (they had to reschedule), and I'll be talking to him about it.

 

[Saga]

my advice to you is to start drinking heavily.

 

[Amaris]

my advice to you is to start drinking heavily.

Oh my, no. My father was an alcoholic, and recovered. His father was an alcoholic. I have no attraction to alcohol, really, and I have tried some. It just doesn't appeal to me like it does others. That being said, I like staying totally lucid. People depend upon me being clear minded, and having the capability to think and act quickly in an emergency. Plus, I'm diabetic, so heavy drinking would be a foolish decision.

 

[Dave Lister]

I'll go for a run. Depending how anxious or worried I am feeling, I may push myself by running harder or longer. I mean I'll really try to wear myself out. Kinda like I'm pushing all the stuff that's bothering me mentally into some physical output.

 

[Dave Lister]

Also listening to some earth shaking, face melting, hyper-aggressive Death Metal helps!

 

[Melakon]

The last time I had to endure excessive stress, I had a stroke. That's why I don't work anymore.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Great advice, all. I did some drinking in my youth, and I always hated beer. Nowadays I casually drink dessert wine, and I've tried some pretty good ones from the heart of Wine Country.

 

[Amaris]

Oh, I'm going to change my answer. While I do tough it out the majority of the time, what does take the edge off is, well, ponies. It was My Little Pony that kept me from going down an even darker tunnel, and while the pain and pressure is still very high, I do manage to cope thanks to those sweet little pastel ponies.

 

[Pondwater]

I tough it out, which is probably the worst thing you can do. Don't tough it out. Seriously. If someone says to tough it out, you ignore that bad advice.

This.

I usually tough it out through exercise and meditation. I agree, it's the worse advice because what works for me may not work for someone else.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Also listening to some earth shaking, face melting, hyper-aggressive Death Metal helps!

Down tempo Doom Metal is better. It angries up the blood and depresses all at once.

Usually, I cuss, throw things...occasionally break things. It doesn't help as much as I'd like.