I most certainly have not!
Best stress/anxiety relief methods!
- Thread starter Peach Wookiee
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I most certainly have not!
A
Amaris
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I love the answers in this thread (minus the numbing effect of alcohol or drug use).
I especially like the original post by auntiehill. Very good tips there!
That said, my favorite way to relax after a stressful day is to sing or listen to music. There's the occasional throwing of objects (bookbags, clothes, etc), and I try to do better with that. Still, I never break anything of value.
I suggest for anyone who is coping in an unhealthy way with stress (overabundance of alcohol or sex or food, etc) that you practice your best ways of relaxing yourself. I don't keep a routine, but I do have my go-to practices. For example: for pure relaxation, I turn on classical music (the Nocturnes by Chopin are my favorite). I lay down in bed, turn the lights off, and get undressed. I curl up in my favorite blanket and focus on the music until I go to sleep. I try not to do that too often so that the effect stays with me. Other things I do involve a hot shower, coloring, drinking something warm like tea (decaffeinated, of course, no need to increase the heart rate with a stimulant) and progressive muscle relaxation. For those unfamiliar, it involves visualization of something relaxing (like a pool of light rushing over each body part you draw attention to) or clenching and releasing muscle groups. It can work as a meditation. I will also coach myself into being in a better mood by saying "this too shall pass," "it's not the end of my life (or the world)," and "can I do anything about this today?" For the last one, "no" equals survive it, "yes" equals doing said action. Exercise is key to daily maintenance. Without it, and eating fruits and vegetables, I am more apt to cope in unhealthy ways.
As far as preparation goes, I am all for it. But when dealing with paranoia or phobias, you have to talk yourself down for the former, and expose yourself to the latter. It really gets my heart racing when I hear sirens. I've spent too much time seeing emergency situations with police and EMTs. The distant sirens send Cortisol and Adrenaline coursing through my veins. So I calm myself with deep breathing (focus on 5 deep breaths, extend the hold on the inhale for the next 5, if the initial five doesn't work) and coax myself back down after I do that "The people will be okay. It's nothing to worry about. They are helping the people who need it. Focus on where you are. You are safe." Stuff like that.
Other techniques (and these are sanctioned by doctors) involve shocking the system. So, hold an ice cube when you start to ruminate about something stressful. Try and focus your mind on the ice cube. Your hand will start to hurt but soon you will not be thinking about the stressful situation.
I think it's important to realize that stress is a part of everyday life. You have to learn what works best for you. It means playing with different techniques to get to know yourself and what will relax you. So play with it. Try and do maintenance that doesn't require you to break down before you feel stress. Eat a balance diet. Exercise at least 3-5 times a week. Get plenty of sleep and fluids. Stay away from caffeine and nicotine (both stimulants). I'm not saying I do all those things every day, but I am trying.
Life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I found the journey of self-discovery was great fun. I found that working in some of my favorite activities each day really got me in a better mood and made me a happier person. I get bored easily, so it's best that I change things up a little at a time. I will read one day, listen to music the next. And I became in charge of how I would feel during the day by doing stress relievers. I learned how to calm myself down. That's the benefit of doing these things. I hope you all find healthy ways to cope and I hope this post has helped, if you need help.
I especially like the original post by auntiehill. Very good tips there!
That said, my favorite way to relax after a stressful day is to sing or listen to music. There's the occasional throwing of objects (bookbags, clothes, etc), and I try to do better with that. Still, I never break anything of value.
I suggest for anyone who is coping in an unhealthy way with stress (overabundance of alcohol or sex or food, etc) that you practice your best ways of relaxing yourself. I don't keep a routine, but I do have my go-to practices. For example: for pure relaxation, I turn on classical music (the Nocturnes by Chopin are my favorite). I lay down in bed, turn the lights off, and get undressed. I curl up in my favorite blanket and focus on the music until I go to sleep. I try not to do that too often so that the effect stays with me. Other things I do involve a hot shower, coloring, drinking something warm like tea (decaffeinated, of course, no need to increase the heart rate with a stimulant) and progressive muscle relaxation. For those unfamiliar, it involves visualization of something relaxing (like a pool of light rushing over each body part you draw attention to) or clenching and releasing muscle groups. It can work as a meditation. I will also coach myself into being in a better mood by saying "this too shall pass," "it's not the end of my life (or the world)," and "can I do anything about this today?" For the last one, "no" equals survive it, "yes" equals doing said action. Exercise is key to daily maintenance. Without it, and eating fruits and vegetables, I am more apt to cope in unhealthy ways.
As far as preparation goes, I am all for it. But when dealing with paranoia or phobias, you have to talk yourself down for the former, and expose yourself to the latter. It really gets my heart racing when I hear sirens. I've spent too much time seeing emergency situations with police and EMTs. The distant sirens send Cortisol and Adrenaline coursing through my veins. So I calm myself with deep breathing (focus on 5 deep breaths, extend the hold on the inhale for the next 5, if the initial five doesn't work) and coax myself back down after I do that "The people will be okay. It's nothing to worry about. They are helping the people who need it. Focus on where you are. You are safe." Stuff like that.
Other techniques (and these are sanctioned by doctors) involve shocking the system. So, hold an ice cube when you start to ruminate about something stressful. Try and focus your mind on the ice cube. Your hand will start to hurt but soon you will not be thinking about the stressful situation.
I think it's important to realize that stress is a part of everyday life. You have to learn what works best for you. It means playing with different techniques to get to know yourself and what will relax you. So play with it. Try and do maintenance that doesn't require you to break down before you feel stress. Eat a balance diet. Exercise at least 3-5 times a week. Get plenty of sleep and fluids. Stay away from caffeine and nicotine (both stimulants). I'm not saying I do all those things every day, but I am trying.
Life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I found the journey of self-discovery was great fun. I found that working in some of my favorite activities each day really got me in a better mood and made me a happier person. I get bored easily, so it's best that I change things up a little at a time. I will read one day, listen to music the next. And I became in charge of how I would feel during the day by doing stress relievers. I learned how to calm myself down. That's the benefit of doing these things. I hope you all find healthy ways to cope and I hope this post has helped, if you need help.
My independent empirical study has proved this statement to be true.
Learning to procrastinate less and prepare more has done wonders for my stress levels on issues that I have some control over. If it's something I can't control at all, a good cardio workout followed by a long session in our sauna helps, as does talking about it with a friend.
I really need to stop procrastinating. I'll get right on that sometime tomorrow.
chocolate. In bad cases a mousse au chocolat made from cardamom chocolate 
When I had the trouble with the aggressive and demented old lady at my old apartment and was pretty close to either having a nervous breakdown or killing her I converted my favourite movies and video blog entries by Peter Wingfield into mp3 and slept with the mp3 player on. The man has a wonderful rich and silky voice. Anthony Head works, too, but not quite as well as Peter
When I had the trouble with the aggressive and demented old lady at my old apartment and was pretty close to either having a nervous breakdown or killing her I converted my favourite movies and video blog entries by Peter Wingfield into mp3 and slept with the mp3 player on. The man has a wonderful rich and silky voice. Anthony Head works, too, but not quite as well as Peter
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