How do you deal with stress/anxiety?

[Todash]

I'm curious to know how we deal with stress and anxiety. How do you cope, both with the daily grind-you-downs and the breakthrough bubble-ups? Any little rituals you have? Medication? Rituals involving medication? :D

[Sundrop]

One word--ZOLOFT :)

[mstay]

Prayer and chocolate. Seriously!:smile2:

[BlackEye]

I'm curious to know how we deal with stress and anxiety. How do you cope, both with the daily grind-you-downs and the breakthrough bubble-ups? Any little rituals you have? Medication? Rituals involving medication? :D

Beer and smokes.

[Spideyman]

Chocolate, ice cream, reading the SKMB, and meditation.

[Charms7]

Rituals involving eating sweets, buying lots of Lottery tickets and beating the crap out of my pillow. But what works best is Prayer.

[interplanetjanet]

I retreat into a fiction book!!!It's really true. :smile2:Oh yeah and a glass of wine at night.

[Peanut Queen]

Beer and smokes.

Me too...although sometimes I substitute Captain Morgans Spiced Rum instead of beer. :oo:

[Shasta]

Yoga and cigarettes. (I know, I know.)

[La Belladonna]

I eat quick snack-type goodies. Like chips, pretzels, cookies, etc... I need instant gratification when I'm upset so I don't want anything that needs prepared in order to consume it. If possible, I sleep. Reading a good book also helps.

I'll have a couple of beers or glasses of wine just to take the edge off and wash the snacks down, but I usually do my heavy duty "let's get buzzed/wasted/crazy/pissed" drinking when I'm in a good mood. Go figure.

[dejolane]

Food,Food. I have bipolar so keeping up with my meds help.
Debbie

[dejolane]

I'm getting a new doc next week so my meds may change !

Debbie

[Gwenivere]

Me too...although sometimes I substitute Captain Morgans Spiced Rum instead of beer. :oo:

Have you ever tried Captain's Private Stock? It's got a little more 'feel good' to it! Tequila works too.:biggrin2:

[ComeUntoSweetDeath]

Listen to music or take a relaxing walk

[SusanNorton]

For general daily stress, I crank up my iHome while I'm doing chores, or I reach out to my Mom and/or friends via cell phone. I also have several web sites I cruise around on - this one, Fodor's travel talk, and allrecipes.com.

For a little higher than normal stress, a glass of wine or cocktail does the trick.

If I'm under tremendous stress, I get very anxious and have trouble making decisions or focusing on tasks. After Hurricane Katrina, my doctor prescribed me (and 200,000 of my closest neighbors) Xanax, .25 mg. It's a very small dose, but if I'm freaking out from anxiety I take a pill (nicknamed, of course, my "chill pills") and 30 minutes later I'm able to catch my breath and focus. I try to never take more than 3 a week, because they are habit-forming.

[waterlilyjaguar]

For me its coffee, cigs, and a glass of wine, that usually does the trick:smile2:

[eyesnot]

I'm curious to know how we deal with stress and anxiety. How do you cope, both with the daily grind-you-downs and the breakthrough bubble-ups? Any little rituals you have? Medication? Rituals involving medication? :D

I hum just about anything. I found this therapy works better than listening to music, watching tv, reading, or taking the hypnotic.

I also try to stay positive, no matter how negative being positive can be. I hate to lie to myself about life, but I have to. Life is not easy. Humming is.

[dragafari]

Bathing in the sea, frankincense and reggae, gospel or gagaku music.

[donna1982]

Two words: strawberry & daquiri.:smile2:

[CorbinKale]

Laughing at myself and human nature. I have a couple of philosophies that help me step outside any situation and gain a new perspective:

-When you consider the universe and everything, this really doesn't matter that much.
-In 50 years, I'll laugh about this.

[Charms7]

Babbling incoherently. Just messing with ya. Cracking jokes is another trick to dealing with stress.

[rlg]

Soccer, squash, fishing and hunting

[PatInTheHat]

Snapping like a dry twig has helped enormously on many occasions :oo:, but mostly I just seek peace and quiet...the sound of breaking glass carries so much better:wink2:.

[smjohn]

Prozac

[silverin]

Cigarettes, Xanax, playing with my dog, exercising, working in the yard. If all that fails (and my antidepressants, too), I check myself into the funny farm for a few days.

[marew1]

I think my sense of humor came about for ways to deal with stress. I also relax by reading, watching movies and listening to music. I am also calmed by the color blue. My sun room is painted sky blue and that room is very calming.

Lately, I have been having more panic attacks. I tried hypnosis but it was not effective enough. I am on medication which works but I would like to get away from the med some day. I used to imbibe to relax sometimes but I am on too many meds for that. Some day I'm going to try cognitive behavior therapy with a psychologist. If anyone who has tried the latter, let me know.

[sedative]

Fags usually help me. And cats and music.

[Moderator]

Fags = cigarettes for those in the U.S. who are not familiar with that meaning of the word. It has a much different meaning here (and not in a good way). But then, I am assuming you meant cigarettes. :eyebrow:

[sedative]

Fags = cigarettes for those in the U.S. who are not familiar with that meaning of the word. It has a much different meaning here (and not in a good way).

I'm sorry, I didn't realise it :blush:

[Dana Jean]

I have to find something creative to do with my hands. (Don't even go there SusanNorton.)

Also, I need to vent. A lot. So, I also reach out to friends. Sometimes, people outside a situation can see it with a clearer eye and calmer head and can talk me down from my anxiety perch. I try not to burden them too much, but I find such comfort in their words, it's hard not to go to that well.

I have to laugh. Without laughter, I would wither.

[Anni M]

I deal with it many ways, but DJ is right, a good laugh will work wonders for an overly anxious disposition...
I used to have panic attacks, but learned how to meditate and this helps, too. :smile2:

[kisun]

Drawing, reading, teh ole' muzak, or even just lying down all help me.

[The Gooch]

I just "knock one outta the park" ..... :oh: (did I just write that)

OK beer and smokes for me too.

[Antony butterworth]

I'm curious to know how we deal with stress and anxiety. How do you cope, both with the daily grind-you-downs and the breakthrough bubble-ups? Any little rituals you have? Medication? Rituals involving medication? :D

Hello Fans Of the King


The Answer is Simple Get your Self A Mountin Bike And Go Cycling In The scotish Highladns nothing to get stressed about there just awsome views
it helps if you have nice girl with a nice bum in front of you poetry in motion

[tempest]

Being both Irish and Norwegian I try to work it out physically. Brisk walk, running or swimming will calm me down, and then I just try to think it through.

It would be best if I had a support system to talk it out with family or friends.

[Deavlynn]

Stephen King, Jesus Christ, and sex... not necessarily in that order.

[Kim L.]

Walking, cranking up the music, reading, praying (often while walking), diet Coke, driving fast (I know, I know), dancing, sleeping. Talking it over with someone.

[Lilies13]

Hummm, I'm not sure, I think I just accept it as part of life and do the best I can to manage stress...you know try not to dell on things I have no control over.
Things I can control, I handle it quite well.
I also have very little vices...reading helps me unwind, so does a cup of tea, meditation, anything funny and a little r-rating activity. :biggrin2:

[Terry B]

I scream a lot and then I have to hit somebody.........no seriously.:grr:

[psj77]

Food, close my bed room door, put on head phones & listen to my iPod....If that don't work cuss someone out that makes everyone feel better:biggrin2:

[Carrie Anne]

Coffee, (which seems like it would have the opposite effect, but it really works.) xanax, cigs, and if all that fails, I break out the old Gilmore Girls dvds and my blankie. Works every time.

[Peanut Queen]

Have you ever tried Captain's Private Stock? It's got a little more 'feel good' to it! Tequila works too.:biggrin2:

Private stock, huh? I'll have to check that out.

And tequila has never let me down before (until the next morning, that is....:oo: )

[Todash]

Hummm, I'm not sure, I think I just accept it as part of life and do the best I can to manage stress...you know try not to dell on things I have no control over.
Yes, me too, always, stress has always just rolled off me. Not that I have not had stressful things happen in my life, but I am really fortunate in that I just naturally have a "don't sweat the small stuff" disposition and the ability to let go of stuff I can't control. I've never had to actively manage stress before, but now I need to get a handle on it.

That's why I posted the thread, actually. I was, as Paula Poundstone would say, "lookin' fer ideas." You all have posted interesting stuff so far, although I'm really surprised by the number of us who use alcohol and/or cigarettes to cope. I don't smoke, so I have no frame of reference there, but booze has never really helped me that way.

I think maybe I'll start exercising regularly. I should anyway. We just recently moved out in the boonies, so walking might be just the ticket. Walking, praying, talking, and tea. And then if those don't work, Xanax.

[LadyPain]

Depends...

Moderate stress? Books, baths and dokes.

For high/extreme stress? Dokes, baths and books.

Off-the-chart stress? I have a little prescription bottle of Ativan (tranks) in my desk drawer, just in case. Sometimes I will also trench my hands properly, put on the weighted gloves and take things out on an old plywood armoire that can take a few hard belts... Hitting something can be EXTREMELY therapeutic!

[collisionist]

Breathing exercises, a good book, and a warm bath.

[AngelZ]

Depends...

Moderate stress? Books, baths and dokes.

For high/extreme stress? Dokes, baths and books.

Off-the-chart stress? I have a little prescription bottle of Ativan (tranks) in my desk drawer, just in case. Sometimes I will also trench my hands properly, put on the weighted gloves and take things out on an old plywood armoire that can take a few hard belts... Hitting something can be EXTREMELY therapeutic!

LadyPain,
I like your ideas. Can you recommend any targets when hitting? I'll try to keep away from people and animals :)

Books, music (deep, dark, classical music), and piano playing usually works very well for me. Exercise is another great one. You get those endorphins running around regularly and it is a natural stressbuster. I've also been taking vitamins regularly which seems to elevate my overall mood. I highly recommend fish oils to fight the blues.

[LadyPain]

LadyPain,
I like your ideas. Can you recommend any targets when hitting? I'll try to keep away from people and animals :)

Books, music (deep, dark, classical music), and piano playing usually works very well for me. Exercise is another great one. You get those endorphins running around regularly and it is a natural stressbuster. I've also been taking vitamins regularly which seems to elevate my overall mood. I highly recommend fish oils to fight the blues.

Targets? I used to have an Everlast heavy bag hanging in my basement, but my husband swore I was shaking the house apart so he took it down. For a while I would use the heavy bag at the gym, but I stopped going when I found them to be a bit prejudicial. They didn't want to hang it up for my use, but if a guy asked, they'd hang it up.

Try pillows. You can pound the snot out of them and they won't complain.

[Anni M]

Babbling incoherently. Just messing with ya. Cracking jokes is another trick to dealing with stress.
I babble incoherently alla time! :biggrin2:

[GarratyVStebbins]

For me the only way to get rid of it is running. I run and everything just melts away

[MadamMack]

I'm curious to know how we deal with stress and anxiety. How do you cope, both with the daily grind-you-downs and the breakthrough bubble-ups? Any little rituals you have? Medication? Rituals involving medication? :D


Positive attitude . . .I just don't let anyone piss on my parade!

[Kahllie]

I hole up alone in my computer room in the dark. Windows are blacked with black posterboard.
After several debilitating accidents that I survived (I'm blasted hard to kill), I seek solitude.
Pills didn't help. They don't remove the Real problems.
There is no point in telling anyone or seeking help. The only people who are paid to listen can't help, and there is no point in burdening the few who really would care, but who could not help, either.
I play computer games, read, and have cuddles with my cats and bunnies and .
I think dark thoughts regarding my existence, but don't act on them. I have responsibilities to others, including pets, and I guess that focusing on my responsibilities makes it necessary to refrain from doing taking any drastic measures that would negatively affect others.
I try to make contribution to others in various ways, anonymously. That gives me some satisfaction in trying to accomplish something positive.

[Todash]

I hole up alone in my computer room in the dark. Windows are blacked with black posterboard.
After several debilitating accidents that I survived (I'm blasted hard to kill), I seek solitude.
Pills didn't help. They don't remove the Real problems.
There is no point in telling anyone or seeking help. The only people who are paid to listen can't help, and there is no point in burdening the few who really would care, but who could not help, either.
I play computer games, read, and have cuddles with my cats and bunnies and .
I think dark thoughts regarding my existence, but don't act on them. I have responsibilities to others, including pets, and I guess that focusing on my responsibilities makes it necessary to refrain from doing taking any drastic measures that would negatively affect others.
I try to make contribution to others in various ways, anonymously. That gives me some satisfaction in trying to accomplish something positive.
Aw ... :( I'm sorry; it sounds like things are pretty rough for you. If by 'people can't help,' you mean they can't do anything practical, like remove physical pain, that may be true. But there's a lot of truth to the old saying, "Shared joy is double joy, and shared sorrow is half sorrow." I see you are new here, so you might not know it yet, but the people around here are good people ... and good listeners.

[tempest]

I know I already responded to this question but a recent CNN article says it all. I am not against medical treatment for health conditions. But I truely feel the pharmaceutical companies are out of control. So my answer to how do you deal with stress: I talk about it-or look for a temporary non pharmaceutical fix such as excerise.

But as you can see from the CNN link below here: "Talk Therapy does not make money only pills make money". http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/08/04/psychiatrists.couch.ap/index.html

I am also very enthusiastic about the new book about prescription meds:
"Our Daily Meds: How the Pharmaceutical Companies Transformed Themselves into Slick Marketing Machines and Hooked the Nation on Prescription Drugs (Hardcover) Melody Peterson.

[Tery]

Not very well. *rim shot*

[K1D6R4Y]

Drawing, reading, singing...Most effective for me is usually to draw with a good tv show on to distract me if I need it.

[sam9700]

Here is a super short powerful report I've written and titled "The Quickest and Strongest StressBuster Known to Mankind". Just go to:
byetostress.com/quickeststressbust.pdf
Enjoy!

[Sawney Beane]

For me,the best way to get rid of stress or anxiety has always been any sort of exercise,the harder the better.My best advice to anyone who´s suffering from that is to join a martial arts school.Not only because of the exercise but also for the discipline,the self-control and of course for the fun¡.Any martial arts school or institute wiil do,it doesn´t matter if its Aikido,Kung-fu,Tae-kwondo etc,you just make sure they are serious(unfortunately that world is full of freaks and posers).Trust me ,it´ll do wonders for you,martial arts are not what we get from the movies,it´s not all about agression and just hitting people,actually the self-defence thing rapidly becomes secondary once you start.

[Theregulator]

I go on a long walk at a good pace. Sometimes playing my violin helps but apparently that causes the neighbours stress :-)

[Srbo]

Praying mostly.

But, to be honest, a beer has helped many, many times as well.

[Born In Sin]

I have been having a bit of stress lately in my life. I am planning a wedding and I have encountered momzilla! I have been with my man for 15 years and we just wanted a small simple wedding, right it is our wedding? OH NO! (FYI we are paying for everything ourselves). Even though this is both our first wedding, simple. We don't need anything, hell we have been living together for at least 10 years, so I did not want a wedding shower. Well that just did not sit right with my mother and now after some words I dare not repeat here, she is as cold as an Arctic breeze. And I can't break her. Well 2 of my friends took me to see "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" and that was the best medicine! We laughed like we were 13 again. It was a GREAT stress reliever!

[Dvajamz]

reading, carving, piercing, reaching out to people online... uhmm... anything creative... cooking is good to. ritualistically though... uhmm... a fantastically fragrant bath in a VERY large tub with candles burning and or burning sage... OH! AND rocks! I love rocks! rocks of all sorts....

well uhmmm... so yeah... that's mine. Tee hee!

[Dvajamz]

P.S. - you might want to forgo the "rituals with drugs" part, especially in conjunction with the very large fragrant bath... See Sinsemilla in One Door Away From Heaven.

:upside:

[badbyron722]

Jack Daniels :blush:

[Kim L.]

Fast walks, playing loud music, praying, reading, sleeping, getting on the MB

[pixiedaark]

I read Stephen King books when I get stressed out. (I read other books also.) Reading a book always de-stresses me. I like to read before I go to bed, it relaxes me. Unlike watching TV or typing on the computer. These just make me feel more awake.

[JRLauer]

Having someone to talk to. I have a friend here on the board that I talk to all the time. She makes life so much better.

[bookworm101]

stress is a way of life for me.....I look for IED's( thats bombs in layman's terms) for 8 hours a day...talk about stress. LOL. I just deal with it I guess. I have a tendency to push stuff down, that might explain the third eye I'm currently growing on my forehead. LOL. might come in handy on the x-ray machine I use though, try to stay positive.

[Presque Vu]

stress is a way of life for me.....I look for IED's( thats bombs in layman's terms) for 8 hours a day...talk about stress. LOL. I just deal with it I guess. I have a tendency to push stuff down, that might explain the third eye I'm currently growing on my forehead. LOL. might come in handy on the x-ray machine I use though, try to stay positive.

Haha, you're looking for a stress-reliever From beyond, eh?^^

I like to read and seclude myself, that's what I like to do most... oh and absinth helps too!

[elysian]

World of Warcraft.
Angry at someone? PVP will take care of that.

[crimnpsych]

I'm not a person that gets stressed easily, but if I am stressed, reading and laughter are the best medicine. Also, cleaning clears my mind. Mostly I'm a pretty calm, go-with-the-flow person though. I kinda keep myself in check. I love to walk and listen to music. I look outside and tell stories about the people and things I see. Just enjoying the small stuff in life can keep you from getting overloaded.

[dejolane]

I just go to my room and enjoy a Stephen King book. :smile2:

[Mr. Rainey]

I write poetry, usually. Or listen to music.

[Christi]

I take some time out, offline and watch TV or play with my pets. I'll take a hot shower or a soothing bubble bath. Sometimes I 'll just take a drive since I live out in the country and look at the scenery.

[Jax]

I pour myself a glass of wine, fire up the whirlpool tub with lots of bubbles, and grab a book.

[JayneH]

A glass of red wine, bourbon or Tequila usually does the trick (or two or three....) If it is real bad pop a sleeping pill and try to get a couple of hours.

Hey Presque Vu, I tried some absinth the other week - it is amazing stuff!

[Black Suit]

Sitting outside on my balcony with a book, frank sinatra in the background and mary jane ;)

[nunu_chis]

Sleep a lot and eat whatever I want, wacth a good movie and read a good book, then, when it`s time to bed I just realize that I had a great day!

[LadyPain]

I've been having stalker problems since the holiday season and my stress levels went through the roof. I started to deal with it by dancing. I dance anywhere from two to twelve hours in a day, although I usually average 3 to 5 hours. It's the only way I can sleep. It's keeping me sane.

[benbennett]

I decide that worrying about things is a waste of time and get on with my life. A glass or two of wine, however, can be very relaxing !

[arista]

I like to find things to laugh about and always a Calgon take me away moment.

[ihavepromisestokeep]

Red wine.

[brownmouse]

I've been having stalker problems since the holiday season and my stress levels went through the roof. I started to deal with it by dancing. I dance anywhere from two to twelve hours in a day, although I usually average 3 to 5 hours. It's the only way I can sleep. It's keeping me sane.

So sorry to hear you have a stalker! :sad: But I must ask, how do you dance that much and where? I am impressed! (I do a few righteous dance steps myself when I am cooking and have some funky music on:biggrin2:)

[Anni M]

My lovely long post about different stressors and how to deal with them got et up into cyberspace.
thought thought you all should know! :laugh:

[Anni M]

Red wine. That was mine for a good while, the drier the better! :biggrin2:

[Anni M]

stress is a way of life for me.....I look for IED's( thats bombs in layman's terms) for 8 hours a day...talk about stress. LOL. I just deal with it I guess. I have a tendency to push stuff down, that might explain the third eye I'm currently growing on my forehead. LOL. might come in handy on the x-ray machine I use though, try to stay positive.
You are a VERY positive lady, Bee :love:

[LadyPain]

So sorry to hear you have a stalker! :sad: But I must ask, how do you dance that much and where? I am impressed! (I do a few righteous dance steps myself when I am cooking and have some funky music on:biggrin2:)

I dance while I do pretty much everything from cooking to dishes to nothing in particular. I'll dance until almost two in the morning if I am strung out from work. Whatever it takes. Twelve hours is on the ideal day off where all I really have to do is take care of laundry...

[Turd Ferguson]

I find that watching a good comedy helps reduce stress. Laughter can be the best medicine sometimes.

[Cola]

A good once over in the sack usually does it for me :D

[AngelZ]

Lately, I've discovered that making origami is as effective as meditating. I feel so relaxed after having folded a few things. I then put them on my dresser and I can think back to how relaxing it was and enjoy the beautiful delicate pieces.

[Kim L.]

A good once over in the sack usually does it for me :D

'Tis true :smile2:

[abacus]

I'm not sure actually. I'm told I have held one of the most stressful jobs in the country and have been put through some allegedly very stressful hoops to get to where I am today. If I had to dissect it, I like it. I like challenges. There is good stress and I think I've felt the bad stress as a result of feeling powerless. I don't have a lot of people who rely on me, so it is very easy for me when I feel powerless about a certain problem to simply give up on it and move on. I find that most of my personal stress comes as a result of indecision and that making a decision or taking any course of action even unrelated alleviates that stress. Also a lot of stress can be avoided by proper planning. I don't feel stressed very often but when I do I just get very tired. Nap! :)

[King Jacob]

I watch my favorite films or I read to help myself escape. If that doesn't work, then I drink sodas and eat until I feel like I'll explode. Luckily, I have a high metabolism. However, I have the feeling that in ten years I'm going to have to change up my vices. I don't really want to become overweight because I eat a lot when I become streesed out...because that would only make me more stressed out. I also play guitar and write songs and stories to help me through periods of stress. If nothing else, I'll put some Metallica on the sterio and play some serious air guitar like it's nobody's business.

[FlakeNoir]

A good once over in the sack usually does it for me :D

'Tis true :smile2:

Dana Jean, they're talking 'bout The Sex! :oops:

[tiger67]

For me its coffee, cigs, and a glass of wine, that usually does the trick:smile2:

That's me too - apart from the ciggies which I gave up 3 years ago and STILL missing.
:smile2:

[tillyn]

Not well at times. I try to walk outside , nature helps. No drugs , have friends on happy pills they walk around like there on cloud nine. My dogs are the greatest thing to help me with stress. Pet them talk to them, always a lick for me. (Husband and kids are good too!) Music. Opera.

[mit48]

take a long bath,read,watch tv,eat,drink wine,go out to eat

[luvdthestand]

Not very well!!! :eek2:

Prayer, Zoloft, smokes, and lately, a good SK book!

On the later, I figure the stuff goin' on with SK's characters GOTTA' BE WORSE than the day I am having!:wink2:

[jenboxer77]

I teach kickboxing on Tuesday and Thursday every week. I like to take my aggression out on the punching bag. It is such a release! The endorphins do wonderful things to the brain! I like to run or walk too. Exercise has also helped me kick my alcohol and cigarette addictions. I replaced one addiction with another, but at least it's a healthy one. :wink2: I also like music. Plug in some good old System of a Down to relieve some stress. Mozart works too!

[meadhbh]

cry :)

i know that sounds bad but if im really stressed it lets out all the tension and afterwards i can think more clearly and everything does seem so worrying

[ConstantReader817]

I crochet or read. Crocheting relaxes me, reading takes my mind off of whatever is bothering me.

Debbie

[Eleese of Gilead.]

Muay Thai Kickboxing. I get to hit things and sweat out half of my body weight.

Also, I have been known to self medicate.

[smooth operator]

Self Medication (occasionally) and screaming at the other cars on the road/freeway. They don't know and probably don't care that I am screaming at them, so nobody is hurt by my frequent tirades. When there is no reason for me to scream at traffic, I sing as loud as I can.
At home, I tune everyone out with a book or TV.

[sunshine05]

Watching movies all cuddled up with my bf :wink2:

[titansfan]

Depends on how stressed i am.. i have different ways of dealing with it.

for just everyday stress usually a good book (usually SK), classic rock (usually Led Zeppelin), a good stand up comedy (Bill Engvil) and family time.

Over the hill stress.. a long walk alone to Dairy Queen or Cold Stone and lose myself in a large cup of Chocolate Mint ice cream. :grinning:

[mudpuppy]

- go for a walk
- play with the dogs
- practice horn
- do a facial mask or some kind of beauty thing
- self medicate
- clean

[Merdoc]

For me, it all depends on the situation. For instance, for most stressful situations, I listen to music. I have a LOT of music, but its always something. :smile2:

Other times i may read a book, if I need to unwind. Or I go for a walk. I actually love walking....really helps me clear my head, or keeps it in focus.

[frangoldsmith]

i am catogorised as depressed but i think it's all a state of mind! Easy to say but really hard to do!!!!!!

[LadyHitchhiker]

I usually like to bottle things up until I explode... it takes a veeeeeeeeery long time but when it happens it's like I'm Shehulk. Raaarrr!!!

[Speedy2]

A dose of Xanax:eek2:

[hipmamajen]

I knit, knit, knit. A lot of times I make small items for charity, which gives me something calming to do with my hands and reminds me that others have it far worse! I saw a bumper sticker that says, "I knit so I do not kill people," which is just about where I am some days!

I read. It doesn't have to be a happy book, just one I can get lost in.

I walk. For me there's nothing like cranking a book on tape and hitting the road!

I sing really loud in the shower. The kids hate it, but I figure dealing with that stuff just makes them stronger people, right?

I also sing really loud in the car. Sometimes I see people laughing at me, but that's OK, it's not hurting anyone and maybe they just needed a giggle in their day, too, right?

I pray. In the Psalms, David spends a lot of time whining to God about stuff, so I figure God can handle my whiney crap, too. :)

I live in denial. I love denial. I've gotten very good at it, and I can slap a happy face on just about anything in my life and move on. Obviously this doesn't work for everything, but when bad things are going down and no one can fix them, you could certainly do worse than ignoring the situation or trying to find some tiny bright side to it.