Life is crazy right now. Drew and I have a bit of stress weighing on us. Here’s how I cope:
- exercise
- sleep - lots of it
- no caffeine - makes me jittery
- quality time with good friends
This last one is important because I lean towards isolation whenever things get tough. I tend to pull back - pull away - when life starts to press in on me. My friends call it “caving” and, yes, I have an unfortunate tendency to cave. But I’m learning that I cope better when I’m talking through issues. When I verbalize my frustrations, emotions, worries… I find that the mountain shrinks when I talk about it.
What do you do to de-stress?
20 responses so far ↓
Rindy // November 5, 2008 at 11:13 am
-organize the “messes” that tend to happen when I get too busy–clean the house, pay the bills, etc
-get outside with physical activity (kayak, bike, walk)
-play great music–loudly!
alece // November 5, 2008 at 11:18 am
i find it interesting that #1 is exercise and #2 is sleep. my #2 would override my #1.
i’m glad you’re able to get in some good, quality time with friends to help you process and deal with what’s going on these days. so important!
Holly @ Crownlaiddown // November 5, 2008 at 11:29 am
Do something creative! Go outside and enjoy the day. Pray. Pray some more.
Joy Renée // November 5, 2008 at 11:42 am
how is it that your list looks so similar to mine (and the reason behind the last one, too)?!
one thing that really helps me….is to clean. not because cleaning soothes me. i HATE…DETEST cleaning. but a clean, straight house makes me feel calm.
and then….i turn on my “worship” playlist on my itunes and let the good times roll. k, so it’s not that ‘rollin’ but it helps!
lastly (just wanted to sound smart for a sec), i go on walks outside. i know that’s probably a little farfetched up where you are, but it’s really nice down here in tejas!
janowen // November 5, 2008 at 11:52 am
Well, I need to talk it out to process but sometimes won’t if I don’t feel comfortable. I journal and getting away helps me. And whether I feel like it or not, time with friends helps me and is a “must do”. Being alone all the time makes me weird.
I, however, do not sleep well when stressed. I get anxious and can’t sleep.
Marisa // November 5, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I sleep. Then I sleep some more.
I “cave” as well. Part of that comes from how much I sleep. But I also just stop talking to people.
I drive.
Eventually I open up to one or two people.
Then I sleep again.
Cindy Beall // November 5, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Sit on the back porch.
Wanna join me?
Becca // November 5, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I sleep, but I also exercise. Seems contradictory, but both are needed.
I play guitar sometimes
I watch a movie
I enjoy throwing apples. That’s a good one.
Joy Renée // November 5, 2008 at 1:25 pm
ha! throwing apples!!!!
now, why didn’t i think of that?
sara // November 5, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I’m not good at talking about things because then other people feel bad for me and I feel bad that they feel bad. Then I feel more stressed. Insane, I know.
I used to work out and organize stuff but I can’t move much anymore so that’s out.
The one thing I still do, just for myself and no one else, is write. and write. and write. Without filtering… I do that exercise where you have to keep writing even if it’s nonsense but you can’t take a pause to think… I find then that whatever comes out is what I needed to say, and once it’s on paper it stops rattling around in my head.
So that’s what works for me. Then it’s all about distraction and keeping my mind busy so it can’t go back to the same old conversation in my head.
Heidi // November 5, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I tend to cry.. I don’t usually cry now.
I tend to look for those morning emails a little harder from my girlfriends.
I tend to focus on praying for other people.
I tend to eat.
I tend to daydream
I tend to NOT sleep.
I’m tired………. Praying for you friend LOTS
Fran // November 5, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hey girl…
I tend to cave as well. And, then I’m dealing with a whole bunch of new stuff due to me being alone. So…I get my praise on. I exercise. And, I find me that safe person to vent.
Hope you are having a wonderful day!
Hugs…
mandy // November 5, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I eat.
Listen to The Beatles.
That about covers it.
mandythompson // November 5, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hey Fran!
I’m getting less-stressed just reading through these suggestions. aaahhhhh….
Everybody breathe in… and…. breathe out….
that’s relaxing, isn’t it!?
Pete Wilson // November 5, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Praying for you guys stress!
Pete Wilson // November 5, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Praying for you guys stress!
tam // November 6, 2008 at 1:05 am
i listen to music.
i go for a drive.
run a useless errand.
but like you, i tend to isolate myself. but mostly for everybody elses safety.
seriously.
love you.
Vishal | Stress Management Forum // November 6, 2008 at 6:12 am
Get an oil massage done. You need not go to a spa for it. You can do it in the comfort of your home. It’s works amazingly well. Just have a warm shower after that and RELAX! It’ll feel like heaven.
Kelli // November 6, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I definitely tend to isolate myself when Im really going through something.
But reading, crying, classical music and driving help me. If im stressed and I have to drive 2 hours or more…I’ll be free as a bird when I arrive. Weird huh?
gerilwalton // November 20, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Stress can be exacerbated by negative self-talk, your outlook on life, and your beliefs. If you want to learn more read http://www.newrinkles.com/index.php/archive/the-yellow-brick-road-for-the-stressed-out-under-stress-and-just-plain-stressed/