Stress relief?

Sugardonut

Hi

I'm finding it harder and harder to cope with stress nowadays. I'm find myself teary, overly anxious about things, even if it's something i can't change.

I've got a few personal issues making my poor coping mechanisims for stress more obvious, but i think stress has always been a problem for me. I really want to learn how to deal with stress better, but i just don't know where to start. I've tried going out for walks, going for a bath etc, but i find it really difficult to wind down. Anyone else know some effective things i could try?

marisco_2

What issues or areas of your life are causing you stress?

raven83

Ahhh bless, i can relate to your post. I too am a bit of a stress head and can get myself into a state at times, sometimes i feel as if i have been winded. For me it is a daily struggle, i just take it as it comes. I think going for brisk walks with headphones on, on your own around where you live can help to shake some of the stress away. Also i do try and rationalise my thoughts, if i feel stressed i try and put things into prospective. It is hard though and i've yet to discover a miracle way of dealing with it. Is there anything that you find relaxing to do? I find baking/cooking quite a good stress reliever too, something about chopping up things and beating the hell out of them kinda makes me feel less on edge.

Sugardonut

marisco wrote: »

What issues or areas of your life are causing you stress?

I don't really want to go into the details on this username, but i'm going to counselling to try and sort that. I know i need to tackle some particular issues, but I'm just keen to have better coping method for stress in general. Even when i don't have 'issues' i find myself more likely to get stressed than some folk, nothing ridiculous, but i'd like to be more chilled. I'm the 'conscientious' type rather than laid back :cool:

I think cooking is worth a try, might beat some bread dough!! I do like cooking, so maybe i'll try some new recipes, stick some chirpy music on and see how that goes.

Thanks for the replies x

Gigglepig

If you are very stressed on a "permanent" basis, perhaps you need to make changes in your life.

If there are underlying issues, perhaps counselling can help you feel more confident about the situations that trigger stress, and how to cope with it.

If you have for example anxiety issues, a GP may be able to help.

If it is a difficult phase of life or one off mountain of work, perhaps relative or friends may be able to help with some tasks, or a career coach etc

Some times diet changes help, - personally I try reduce sugar and caffeine aka rocket fuel when I'm stressed out, it just makes it worse...

However regarding "normal" day to day stress, regular activities that may help could be

- walking
- swimming (if you can find a quiet non-family pool )
- singing in a choir, playing an instrument, music in general
- martial arts
- meditation, breathing techniques / relaxation DVDs / tapes
- spending time with pets, owning a dog or cat, or taking riding lessons
- other sports, physical activity in general
- doing naughty things with your OH :rotfl:

elsien

For me it's gardening - it's the one activity I do that makes me completely switch off and forget about everything. Not for everyone, but is there anything you do that gives you a similar feeling, even if it's only temporary? For me it has to be something physical - when I'm wound up and can't relax I need to "do" things.
The other thing I have found helpful is practising mindfulness. Sounds a bit hippydippy, but 10 minutes a day really does seem to make a difference. There's a thread on here somewhere if I can find it.

Here you go.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3720593

raven83

Sugardonut wrote: »

I don't really want to go into the details on this username, but i'm going to counselling to try and sort that. I know i need to tackle some particular issues, but I'm just keen to have better coping method for stress in general. Even when i don't have 'issues' i find myself more likely to get stressed than some folk, nothing ridiculous, but i'd like to be more chilled. I'm the 'conscientious' type rather than laid back :cool:

I think cooking is worth a try, might beat some bread dough!! I do like cooking, so maybe i'll try some new recipes, stick some chirpy music on and see how that goes.

Thanks for the replies x

That is what i do, and it does give me a good sense of calmness after. i too have issues that have been ongoing for many years too and it has definitely impacted on my day to day life. I am a lot better than what i used to be but i don't think i will ever be "cured". The best way forward is to find something that relaxes you and try and incorporate it into your daily life. Also maybe try breathing exercise or meditation.

jackieb

Have you tried Bach's Rescue Remedy? My GP recommended it for my son, and now we all have some if we're feeling particularly stressed.

For a short term fix we find it really good.

raven83

elsien wrote: »

For me it's gardening - it's the one activity I do that makes me completely switch off and forget about everything. Not for everyone, but is there anything you do that gives you a similar feeling, even if it's only temporary? For me it has to be something physical - when I'm wound up and can't relax I need to "do" things.
The other thing I have found helpful is practising mindfulness. Sounds a bit hippydippy, but 10 minutes a day really does seem to make a difference. There's a thread on here somewhere if I can find it.

Here you go.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3720593

Oh i forgot to mention gardening, that is another good way of relieving stress.

Sugardonut

Thanks all

Gigglepig, thank for all your suggestions, I'm absolutely tone deaf but i quite enjoy singing,night just make a point of belting a tune out in the shower rather than anything official. I've already been asked to leave two choirs - once for being so bad i was putting people of and once for miming :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I've been thing about a self defence class for a while so will look into that.

elsien, the mindfulness thread is very intersting. I think i do need to change my outlook, and small behaviours. I watched documentary about bhutan, the happiest place in the world. They think about how any decision impacts on personal happiness. They trialled traffic lights for a while, but decided it made waiting depressing and brought back the human signals, doing their wacky routines to instruct the traffic!

marisco_2

If I feel stressed or anxious about anything I talk to people. I am very lucky to have a good circle of friends and a supportive family. I would speak with different people dependant on what is worrying me. Just knowing someone is there helps alleviate alot of stress in itself for me.

Other ways I cope with feeling down or worried is to listen to music, gardening, reading a book and getting absorbed in that. I also tend to sleep alot if I find things are getting on top of me. I take a relaxing bath. Eat well, plan a meal, enioy cooking it and then feel spoilt by enjoying it.

Making time for simple pleasures in life can reduce the amount of stress you feel because then your whole day doesn't revolve around negativity.

Delegate or ask for help from your colleagues. Most people like to help someone if they can.