What is helping you to calm down?

amalis

Hi ,

now in my life there is a black period, ie. I have problems in all aspects of my life: work, marriage, finances...I feel that my nerves are so tensed that I am going to explode from tension sometime soon. Can anyone recommend good remedies for calming? I tried Bach rescue balm before- didnt help.

beachbeth

What about herbal tea? I think camomile is calming although I haven't tried it. I have drunk peppermint tea because its good for digestion but I find it relaxing too.

Yoga is very relaxing - so a good yoga dvd could be very helpful. I used to put my Jerry Hall dvd on when I was going through a period of stress and it really helped (even though I can't stand Jerry Hall!).

Whatever you do, don't drink alcohol because, even though initially you will feel a bit better, the more you drink the worse you will feel. Also, the next day you will feel tired and drained and all your problems will just seem insurmountable. Much better to try natural remedies and have a nice bath followed by a good night's sleep.

downshifter

Medication such as the Bach remedies or any other kind of drugs, even prescription ones, only mask the symptoms they don't take the problems away or give you better ways of dealing with them. Things like a nice relaxing walk (get away from the house where the problems are) or some other free treat can help. Someone on here recommended a book called Don't sweat the small stuff which I got out of the library. While much of it is common sense and things you already know, it does help you sort out the priorities and see the wood for the trees which is what I found I needed when it all felt as if it was all crowding in on me and I needed a way to stand back for a while. There are similar books and probably websites that do that. I found that relaxation tapes and so on didn't help as the problems were still there and I was wasting time when I should've been worrying about the problems, - I'd rather find other ways of dealing with them rather than escaping them. Some of the time managment techniques are quite good too, writing lists gets it onto paper and out of your head and so helps clear it. Trying to remember everything when you're stressed is nigh on impossible so lists, prioritising, diaries etc all help you to feel you're getting there. I also have a wall planner where I write important things to do, makes me feel that I'm doing something and getting there. Again less to have to remember. And the other thing I try to do is one thing off the list every day, it makes me feel so much better and gives me mental energy to do another.

Sorry, that's a bit of a ramble but I can so identify with what you say - I found self preservation was the best way to help myself and everyone else.

DS

amalis

downshifter, thanks alot. Thats exactly how i feel- like everytning is crowding and I cant deal with it. Sometimes i even feel that there is not enough air to breathe.
I order the book you recommended from my library now

amalis

beachbeth wrote: »

Whatever you do, don't drink alcohol because, even though initially you will feel a bit better, the more you drink the worse you will feel. Also, the next day you will feel tired and drained and all your problems will just seem insurmountable. Much better to try natural remedies and have a nice bath followed by a good night's sleep.

good point! lately i started to take out the stress with vino. But I am not addicted and promised myself that this will not be the way I relax

Skint_Catt

I read recently you should write down as many things as you can possibly think of to be grateful for - you can't possible be stressed when you look at the good things in life and the beauty in every day. Look above the stresses of everyday life and take joy in breathing fresh air and feeling the sun on your face.

Pee

Swimming. I used to do about 24 or 30 lengths before work when I had problems with a relationship and work and it gave me some space and thinking time, and I think the exercise is actually really good as well, and you hardly notice you are doing it.

I was lucky that it was possible due to where I lived and where I worked, I can't do it at the moment.

Otherwise, do you like reading silly books or watching silly films... maybe a magazine - you can get out of date ones from charity shops - or some nice bath oil for a bubble bath?

amalis

Pee, unfortunately there are no swimming facilities near me either. It would be great if I had, water always calms me.
Yeah, I like reading and i do like bath. Good that you reminded me because when you are under too much pressure you loose the desire to improve the situation at some point, as if you belive that nothing can help.. does it make any sense?

downshifter

amalis wrote: »

. Good that you reminded me because when you are under too much pressure you loose the desire to improve the situation at some point, as if you belive that nothing can help.. does it make any sense?

Ah yes but remember that for every problem there definitely is a solution - you just have to find it - and you're more likely to find it if you have a clear head.

DS