STRESS--how to combat it?!

How do you all combat stress? When some people get stressed, they can feel it in their shoulders, their back, or perhaps get tension headaches--I get it in my stomach & by the time I realize I'm really stressed out, then it's too late because my tummy is all upset (a.k.a projectile poos). That's what has been going on for the past few days. I've been trying to keep myself calm, telling myself to just chill out & relax, taking deep breathes slowly in & out. It's helping a little, but it's causing my appetite to be totally off--haven't felt like eating because my darn stomach is all messed up!

I don't even have a ton of stressful stuff going on in my life right now, so I don't know why I'm getting all worked up inside. The main thing is work--this is the busy time of year for our company and there isn't enough people working in the office because there were layoffs over the summer & now we're down to just 4 people. Plus, I've been working longer hours and I guess that's getting to me. And the fact that it's December, which means the holiday season is upon us & that can add a lot of stress as well!

So what are some ways to make this time of year a little easier? I need to get my stress levels and my tummy back down to normal, so I can eat properly again! Help!!!

I completely understand being stressed out! I'm a graduate student, work 25-30 hours a week and also tend to be a perfectionist. This leads to a LOT of stress. Here are some of the things that I've found to work:

- exercising for a little bit each day (for me this means running 4-5 days a week, lifting weights 2-3 days, ballet 1 day)

- making sure to get enough sleep (the exercising helps with this)

- eating healthy food and taking a vitamin supplement (keeps you from feeling rundown, which will make you stressed and sick)

- making a list of things that need to be done (even a mental list) and just concentrate on one thing at a time (don't worry about things that are later on the list because it wil just make you stressed and will hinder your performance on the thing you're currently working on)

- make sure to schedule "relaxation" into your day and every so often really treat yourself (if I survive this semester, I'm going to go get a nice massage and pedicure!)

I hope these tips help. Another thing that you can do is talk to other people about things, which you're doing on this site. Don't worry. You'll make it through this busy time, so just keep telling yourself that!

Calm down.  Try to NOT work overtime due to the business's lack of personnel.  Walk around a few blocks every night (regardless of temperature).  Try natural supplement called St. John's Wart OR two jiggers (3 oz) of vodka or whiskey prior to bed (hey, just a suggestion).

Everyone's got different ways to relax.  I think it's important to make time to enjoy your favourite things... regardless of what's going on.  'Take time to smell the roses'.   Diarise your relaxation time so that you leave space for you.  Switch off the phone etc.  Prioritise your needs above others'. 

On the subject of work.  A lot of places have dumped staff and just expect the others to pick up the slack, which really isn't fair because they're essentially getting your extra labour and extra hours for free.  And that's called exploitation.   You could always take a day off sick... quite legitimately... if you're feeling run down and anxious.   You could be more assertive and set a time-limit on what time in the evening you go home.   The business will not colllapse if you do.

Here's a few questions to ask yourself?

Can I do anything to change this?

If I can, then what steps of wisdom do I need to take to fix this?

Am I afraid of change?  Why?

Just take it one day at a time.  Tackle one issue at a time.  You choose your battles.  You don't have to even deal with everything.  What I mean by that is how to invest emotionally.  You can choose not to be present emotionally.  You can find other things to think about.

I find that when we sit alone to long to think about it....Here comes the stress headache.

Is there truly anything you can do about all of this?  If you could, why wouldn't you? 

Things I do (or would do if I had the money)

• Take a brisk walk...the winter air helps refresh my mind (you could do this on your break or before/after work)
• Pamper yourself (nails, hair, draw a bath, buy a new outfit, get lost in a book)
• I really want to buy a punching bag someday!
• Keep breathing in and out (especially during any panic-y moments)
• Yoga, pilates, running (basically any kind of exercise)
• Eat a balanced diet (are you getting too much caffeine? that can make me feel shaky and more prone to irritability)
• Listen to calm/soothing music or if that doesn't work you could always try "angry" music
• Rent a hilarious movie
• Get a good amount of sleep

hi TAHITI-

here is something that you actually wrote to someone else going through a stressful time, i copied it and thought it might be of some use to you now, good luck-

"My suggestion is to take a step back from the drama & stress that is currently going on in your life and take some time out for yourself.  Try to eat something every 3 hours to fuel your body/mind--plus, you will be going against those damned "eating disorder thoughts" and making yourself stronger.  Your health is much more important right now than anything else and you ARE worthy of a full recovery.  Good luck"

Thanks for all your help--those are some great tips & suggestions.  I especially like the idea of calling off from work--Oh, how I love that idea!

And thanks for the reminder, agruskin--sometimes I should take my own advice & just relax

I'M JUST HERE TO PAT MY OWN SELF ON THE BACK. I'VE HAD A VERY STRESSFUL DAY AND USUALLY I HANDLE MY EMOTIONS BY EATING. AS I SIT HERE TYPING THIS AND TEARS ARE RUNNING DOWN MY FACE, I'M THINKING ABOUT MY 13 YEAR OLD SON WHO IS NOT DOING SO WELL IN SCHOOL AND I HAVEN'T EVEN ALLOWED MYSELF TO "STRESS" EAT. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A PLACE THAT I CAN GO AND TYPE INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT I NORMALLY DO....EAT AND EAT UNHEALTHILY.

I definitely agree with using exercise to blow off steam.  

I also make lists.  I'm get a lot of grief for all of my lists at home and at work but it really works.  Every night before I leave work I make a list of the things I want to accomplish the next day.  Then I go in knowing exactly what I want to do and it feels so good crossing things off the list. I do the same thing (but not daily) for everything I need to do at home.   It helps me prioritize and when I have it all written down it doesn't seem nearly as daunting as it does in my head.  

Another thing that has really helped me de-stress and I never really thought it would, is my daily CC journal.  Every day I post a happy event or thought.  Some days are bad days and it's hard to come up with a positive - forcing myself to see at least one good thing in the day helps me shake off whatever negative feelings I may be harboring.  That let's me go to bed a little less stressed and start the next day with a cleaner slate than I would have otherwise.

aha, that is a good idea to make a list of all the things you'd like to get done the next day.  I usually get overwhelmed by the amount of things I need to do on my days off, so that will big help!

kanigytsum2--awww...it sounds like you're having a bad day.  Hope things will perk up for you.  {{BIG HUGS}}

Rum and coke.

Original Post by jblarghp:

Rum and coke.

Ditto  :-)

Sniff some lavender, burn it in an oil burner in your room or take a lavendar bath. Then dark chocolate is always a good mood booster!