Stress & Anxiety - How do you cope?

[Smellincoffee]

I've been a student of Stoicism for 4 years now, and the only time I've been stressed beyond immediate control was following some dental work, when I woke up to find my shirt covered in blood and my nose gushing.

Stoicism introduced me to two ideas: one, that every impulse and thought I have isn't necessarily mine. If you try to calm your mind and count to ten, slowly, then stuff will just pop up out of your subconscious. When I realized this, through daily but intermittent meditation I learned to let errant thoughts pass me by. So, short answer: meditation.

The second idea is that there are two kinds of things in life, those you can control and those you can't. Reason suggests only concerning yourself with what which is under your control. This is a rule I abide by, though I've learned not be too strict with it -- life isn't Star Trek, and Vulcan-like humans don't have writers controlling their lives who create friends for them. Relationships are built on emotional exchanges, and that's all about letting go. As Captain Picard said once in a very silly episode involving space Irish gypsies, "Sometimes, Number One, you just have to embrace the absurd."

Also, I play Sid Meier's Pirates and take ships. ARR!

 

[Leviathan]

Three times, actually. He posted the exact same thing a few days ago in the "Wonderful Things in Life" thread.

Indeed. It's a universal solution.

 

[Taylirious]

Finding a creative outlet; writing, painting, playing music. All I like but cannot do right now.

ETA: With writing, the ideas are there but the skill is not.

 

[HansVerhaaden]

But even there are times when I feel overwhelmed. I have a tendency to worry

The best option is to think only that these feelings will pass.

 

[Amaris]

Did I mention cuddling? If not, also cuddling. Seriously, guys. I have, like, zero personal space (unless I'm sick, and then I'll ask that you stay back for your own health). I'm always ready for cuddles. I don't get them, but I accept them.

 

[Taylirious]

I like licking people, wait - that's wrong. WRONG!!!

 

[Pondwater]

Did I mention cuddling? If not, also cuddling. Seriously, guys. I have, like, zero personal space (unless I'm sick, and then I'll ask that you stay back for your own health). I'm always ready for cuddles. I don't get them, but I accept them.

Really??

As long as you smell good.

 

[Amaris]

I like licking people, wait - that's wrong. WRONG!!!

I wouldn't object. I'm not kidding when I said zero personal space.

Did I mention cuddling? If not, also cuddling. Seriously, guys. I have, like, zero personal space (unless I'm sick, and then I'll ask that you stay back for your own health). I'm always ready for cuddles. I don't get them, but I accept them.

Really??

As long as you smell good.

I always smell good. Well, as long as you like either Irish Spring, Old Spice, or Sweet Pea and Lilac.

 

[Taylirious]

I smell like Hawaiian Ginger. Don't judge me! I like "Hawaiian" scents for everything.

 

[Amaris]

I smell like Hawaiian Ginger. Don't judge me! I like "Hawaiian" scents for everything.

I don't recall ever hearing of Hawaiian ginger or, for that matter, smelling it. If you can describe it, what's it like?

 

[Pondwater]

I smell like Hawaiian Ginger. Don't judge me! I like "Hawaiian" scents for everything.

Calgon makes the best one.

Did I mention cuddling? If not, also cuddling. Seriously, guys. I have, like, zero personal space (unless I'm sick, and then I'll ask that you stay back for your own health). I'm always ready for cuddles. I don't get them, but I accept them.

Really??

As long as you smell good.

I always smell good. Well, as long as you like either Irish Spring, Old Spice, or Sweet Pea and Lilac.

All of the above.

 

[Taylirious]

Floral, sweet with a hint of citrus & ginger of course. Too me anyway.

ETA: Pondwater is correct!

 

[RandyS]

I like licking people, wait - that's wrong. WRONG!!!

But intriguing.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I'd love good cuddles...

 

[Amaris]

I smell like Hawaiian Ginger. Don't judge me! I like "Hawaiian" scents for everything.

Calgon makes the best one.

Really??

As long as you smell good.

I always smell good. Well, as long as you like either Irish Spring, Old Spice, or Sweet Pea and Lilac.

All of the above.

Good.

Floral, sweet with a hint of citrus & ginger of course. Too me anyway.

ETA: Pondwater is correct!

Oh my, I'll have to try it!

I'd love good cuddles...

I always feel the need for being cuddled, or hugged. I've been this way since I was a child. I would just hug everyone. I used to get in (very minor) trouble at school because I would just hug people: teachers, fellow classmates, you name it.

 

[Pondwater]

I smell like Hawaiian Ginger. Don't judge me! I like "Hawaiian" scents for everything.

Calgon makes the best one.



All of the above.

Good.

Floral, sweet with a hint of citrus & ginger of course. Too me anyway.

ETA: Pondwater is correct!

Oh my, I'll have to try it!

I'd love good cuddles...

I always feel the need for being cuddled, or hugged. I've been this way since I was a child. I would just hug everyone. I used to get in (very minor) trouble at school because I would just hug people: teachers, fellow classmates, you name it.

I'm the opposite, very distant and unaffectionate.....until I get to know someone better. An affectionate close person would be the Yang to my Yin.

 

[Skellington]

I like licking people, wait - that's wrong. WRONG!!!

"What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." - Confucius.

But apparently he also said:

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/confucius.html

 

[Amaris]

I'm the opposite, very distant and unaffectionate.....until I get to know someone better. An affectionate close person would be the Yang to my Yin.

 

[Karzak]

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

I run.

 

[Trekker4747]

How do I cope?

Not well.

Especially as of late where I can feel my SAD starting to creep in and various life things going on are beginning to stress me out not to mention the usual things I stress out about and get anxiety over.

There's only so much (prescription) drugs I'm willing to take in order to avoid abusing them.