Stress relief?

[Todash]

Most of the time, I'm in a good mood. I see the best in people and situations. When life hands me lemons, I make lemonade and all that happy horse hockey.

Lately, though, I find myself in a quandary. I have been feeling down and anxious as a result of some big-time stressors. I think I don't have a lot of coping skills for this kind of thing because frankly, the stresses of daily life just don't get to me the way they do a lot of other people, so I haven't ever given much conscious thought to stuff that just rolls off my back.

But I'm crackin', y'all. It happens to everybody sometime, and it's happening to me now.

I need help.

I know I'm not the only one, though. So for me and the rest of us cracked individuals (and we are all cracked at least occasionally): what do you do that makes you feel calm/zen/relaxed/at peace/one with the universe/chill?

[NathanStrickland]

The best cure for that overwhelmed feeling is a plain ole' hug. Nothing beats honest, unashamed human contact for lowering the blood pressure.

[malarabid]

The way I deal with stress really depends on the problem, but here are a few of my methods:

* Talk to someone. Coming here to get some support was a good idea. Sometimes when things are bad, I go down my (short) list of people in my phone book and give everyone a ring. You don't even have to talk about your problems, most people are pretty happy to be asked how things are going.

* Go for a walk. Or somewhere that you love to be. My goal here is to physically get out of a situation where my brain tends to run in circles and give myself a chance to get out of a rut of dark thinking. If I could go anywhere, I'd walk down a beach, but it's usually not an option.

* Since walking down the beach is not an option and it's truly my favorite place in the world, I got an hour+ long recording of ocean sounds. It startled my cats at first, but now they relax with me and my book in bed when I listen to it. Sometimes I go to sleep with it. There are lots of different kind of sound-recordings, not just the beach, so you could put on whatever makes you happiest and toggle the "pretend" button in your head.

* Plan something nice for yourself, and you only. Something really personal to you. It could be as simple as taking a bubble bath. Going to the library. Getting a new haircut. I'm not afraid to do things by myself, so a couple times a year I take myself (and a book) out to dinner. What you choose really depends on your personal taste, but the point here is that you are doing something nice for YOU.

* Insomnia. Stress makes me sleepless. Sometimes the ocean recording helps. In order to sleep, I have to put aside my worries and tell myself that things will be better tomorrow if I realize I will work more on the problems more productively if I get some good rest right now. It feels indulgent to let go of those worries and consciously choose something else to think about. Lately, one of my favorite things to do is imagine a house I'd like to walk through or live in. Every time my mind starts sliding back to my problems, I remind myself that I am thinking of this wonderful house, and go back to picturing it in detail. The more I get into it, the easier it is to forget my problems for a bit, and the more I relax (and the better chance I have of getting to sleep).

I hope you are okay and that things take a turn for the better for you.

[poisonbat]

When life gets really stressful for me, and it has lately, I find just snuggling up with my hubby a great relief. I have him hold me while I cry. He has learned not to try to "fix" me, but to just be a shoulder. I have found myself woefully behind in school after having the swine flu for a week. I have had to shove two weeks of work into 2 days. I have finally caught up, just in time to turn in a very important essay and have a math exam. The stress has been fierce. I also have my sister that I talk to and my sons. But the crying thing is solely reserved for my hubby.

[Cowboy]

Horseback riding, hikes in the woods, prayer and even reading all seem to help me when I am stressed out. There does seem to be an abnormal amount of pressure on everyone here lately, maybe we should all do more of what brings us peace.

[PatInTheHat]

I like talkin' to old folk and hear them pass on their stories...however I seem to be closing that sands of time thing.
Perspective always helps me deal, and there's nothing like really listening to those that have already dealt with all the stupid stuff, to get a better handle on the deal.
A lot of oldsters love sharing the most interesting things and timely observations, especially if ya bribe 'em with tasty treats.

That, and not that I would really know anything about it, but as I understand it, making fun of..well, just about everything, and laughing at...well, just about everything, relieves a certain amount of life related stress.
it if it can't take a joke is my motto...or my M.O...I get those two confused all the time!

your azzz off at the drop of a hat...do it loud & do it proud at every opportunity!
Remember, if complete strangers are looking at you sideways (and perhaps moving away in a deliberate yet subtle manner), your definitely doing something right.
(and it's a contagion, with absolutely no known vaccine..be a carrier, the more the merrier)

[Charms7]

I am so glad you reached out! We are here for you, Todash. It does happen to everyone or most everyone at one time or another. And some of us are very good at wearing that ever handy mask. Just feel all the love that is here for you on this message board!

I use humor most of the time for stress relief. But if needed, I would seek professional help again. If things got too awful, if I became too sad. Sometimes it is a chemical imbalance and that is all that is needed is a magical little pill.

Hugs for you, Todash! I'm praying for your swift return to happiness!

[Spideyman]

Meditation is what does it for me, and learning about the TAO - which is simply a particular way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens in everyday life. Takes a lot of practice, but I'm getting there. Will be keeping you to extra good thoughts.

[Haunted]

Life can come at you all at once, it happens to us all. As Spideyman pointed out meditation is very good; I find a quiet place even if I have to go into the potty and shut the door. I take a several deep breaths and pray. I find by taking all my stresses off my shoulders and putting them in God's hands that a burden has been lifted. But after resting, I look for ways of preventing those stresses from returning.

[Lina]

I must say I do understand this situation. I had such a state just few days ago. And I guess sometimes it happens to everybody! We just need to find some strengths to cope with it.
I usually try to recollect all the positive things I have, all the people who love me, who support me.
Also I try to use humor. To say honestly, I always do so. It's a good means for stress relief! My opinion is that you should always smile, whatever happens to you! And then everything will be right!

I hope you'll be fine! Here are a lot of people who support you! And remember - life is wonderful!