Cheap / free ways to de-stress?

euronorris

RainbowDreamer wrote: »

I am not sleeping well at all. Have been taking Kalms on occassions before bed, but it doesnt seem to help too much. Have spoken to my GP about sleeping tablets, but he is reluctant to prescribe them as I am in a situation that may be ongoing for a while and it is not advised to take them over a long period as they can be come addictive.
He has recommended I go back on antidepressants, but I am trying hard to avoid this so that it cannot be used against me in my situation and I am also aware that it takes up to 6 weeks to show any positive effects. That plus the first 2 weeks can make you feel much worse and cause anxiety etc. At the moment I need to stay as calm and stress free as possible.

I do like walking. So I may try and take myself for a nice long walk. I suppose I have been keeping myself inside because I am struggling to deal with seeing other peoples children at the moment. It makes me emotional which results in being more down in the dumps.

Your right about it causing me to be moping about. I am spending my days online on facebook and on here, but the rest of the time I am sat dwelling on the situation, over thinking things and crying about my children.

I am also not eating well, which I suppose isnt helping motivation. I am going to try and force myself to eat more and to do more exercise.

I think that introducing a wind down routine before bed will help you immensely. No TV/Computers after 9pm. No caffeine after 7/8pm, and a nice bath before getting into bed (maybe with lavender scent). Sorry for TMI, but, erm, an orgasm before sleep helps also.

As for the diet, it is vital that you eat well when you're stressed. You may find that making meals from scratch, and baking will help make you feel better. Baking bread can be great, as I find the kneading part requires quite a bit of physical effort, and I tend to take my stress out on it a bit! lol Getting some exercise will also help with the sleep.

Lastly, are you seeing a counsellor at all?

Seanymph

I think filling it with rants is definitely the idea - you get it all out then it isn't running around your head.

it's not for anyone else to read. Just for you to offload into. Put whatever you want.

euronorris

It would be good to spend some time with your friends too. Are any of them aware of how you are feeling right now? I'm sure if they were, they'd be happy to see you without talking about their kids.

RainbowDreamer

I am not seeing a counsellor no. I was referred for CBT a few months ago. Apparantly there is a waiting list to get an appointment. My GP did mention that it should be the next few weeks I should hear from them. So I am hoping that comes through soon as I know it will help me immensly.
If I am honest I do need an outlet at the moment. I need someone to speak to I suppose to offload. I normally use this site, but due to circumstances I am now very wary of putting specific information on here for public viewing.
I do have some very nice people who have PM'ed me who have said I can message them any tiny, but I do worry that I am bothering them and putting stress onto them by speaking to them.

I think a diary is a very very good idea. If I can find the motivation to go out today, I will pop into town and buy one. I am thinking it may also help for me to look back in 6 months / 1 year to see how far I will have come by then etc.

RainbowDreamer

euro they are aware and they do try not to mention their kids. But these are friends that I normally see on a regular basis with mine and their children and the main topic of conversation is the children. So even though they are trying they are forgetting because it feels normal to talk about the kids.
Plus a few of them are being a big strange around me because I suppose they feel a bit lost as to how to act around me and feel like they cannot help.

tea_lover

I'd definitely second the suggestions about getting out in the fresh air. It doesn't have to be anything too strenuous, a walk round the block or through a park can do wonders.

It sounds like you've done really well on the decluttering as having a fresh, clean space to relax in can make a world of difference.

euronorris

OK, well do you have any friends who are child free? Or good work colleagues maybe that you could spend some time with? It will probably be easier for them to stay off the subject.

Can your GP offer any local support groups for being going through what you are going through? Maybe that would help?

CH27

RainbowDreamer wrote: »

I am not seeing a counsellor no. I was referred for CBT a few months ago. Apparantly there is a waiting list to get an appointment. My GP did mention that it should be the next few weeks I should hear from them. So I am hoping that comes through soon as I know it will help me immensly.
If I am honest I do need an outlet at the moment. I need someone to speak to I suppose to offload. I normally use this site, but due to circumstances I am now very wary of putting specific information on here for public viewing.
I do have some very nice people who have PM'ed me who have said I can message them any tiny, but I do worry that I am bothering them and putting stress onto them by speaking to them.

I think a diary is a very very good idea. If I can find the motivation to go out today, I will pop into town and buy one. I am thinking it may also help for me to look back in 6 months / 1 year to see how far I will have come by then etc.

Look at MindGym online
They have lots of useful distraction techniques & CBT use some of them.

tea_lover

If you're finding your friends a bit too much to deal with right now, maybe some new people would help?

Maybe a group or club for something you're interested in - books, knitting, sport, animals, church, etc. That way you'd be getting some social interaction, but without the 'baggage' that we can sometimes feel with our friends. Plus it would be on your terms time-wise, so if you just fancied an hour a week or so you wouldn't have to give any more than you feel comfortable with.

Sometimes it's nice to have someone to chat to, without them knowing you too well.

SailorSam

I've been writing letters to myself and diaries on the computer but like you Op i'm still stressed and can't see a way out. So thanks to everyone who suggests getting out. We've got giants here in Liverpool this weekend, just been listening to the excitement on the radio as the little girl and her dog have just woken up. I'm not usually into these crowd things but think i'll go.
Op don't suppose you're around Merseyside but is there anything special going on you can go and see.