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Stress Management What are your favorite techniques?
Kim12469 MI USA Member since 2008 Posts: 1986	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/12 11:06 AM I'm going through a stressful time. Lots of stuff I can't control and just have to ride out and see how things happen. I tend to internalize things and don't realize how they are affecting me until they manifest in some physical form, cold sores, sleeplessness, fibro flare ups, etc. I'm not doing very well at eating right, which would help a lot. I'm trying to get enough sleep but that's hard right now. I used to like to read to relax but I can't even get into that. Sewing is a definite relaxer for me but I may lose that option (at least to do it easily). How do you keep stress at bay? Or at least manage it? I should add that none of what I am dealing with is life threatening...everyone is healthy and I will come out of this ok!!! -- Edited on 1/24/12 11:07 AM -- ------ http://kimsewsilly.blogspot.com/
Lady_Mame Intermediate WA USA Member since 2007 Posts: 1970	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/12 11:14 AM These are my top recomendations -- I work in a stressful environment, and while I'm not an expert by any standard, I have come across a few things that HELP. 1. Make sure you get lots of floor time with you pet. (If your pet is a bird or snake, shoulder time. If your pets are fish, then some classical-music-stare-at-the-tank time.) ETA: If your pet is a barnyard animal such as a goat, sheep, cow, horse, pig, goose, duck, etc, get lots of yard time/walk time! 2. If you are a sewing something you need, STOP. Sew something you WANT. Be frivolous. 3. If you are having trouble eating because "nothing" sounds good, allow yourself to spend more money going out this month. Sometimes being away from home lets you eat. 4. Make a list with two or four /less/ things on it than you think you can accomplish each day or week (depending on how you roll) cross them out. When you get to the bottom, DON'T DO ANOTHER CHORE, take a break instead. Good luck! -- Edited on 1/24/12 11:27 AM -- ------ Needle Needle Straight and Slim, Dust and Sweep the House for Him! --Grimm Fairy Tales
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 2008 Posts: 2999	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/12 11:21 AM Kim, I'm so sorry you are stressed. Unfortunately, I am right there with you. Here is what I have been doing-take what you think will work, and leave the rest: 1. Walk every day, even if the weather is bad. 2. Try to eat well, and if that isn't appealing, just eat anyway. 3. Don't drink to smother the stress (for me, don't drink at all). 4. Set aside a time to talk to a friend about your worries. Only talk for a certain time, then move on. Don't dwell, but don't stuff the feelings. 5. Stay involved with your hobbies and activities on a low level. Don't expect a stellar performance. I am still working with my horse, but I am not riding as often. Yesterday I took him for a hand walk along the farm roads and we had a lovely time together. Good luck Kim! ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-105 completed.
EleanorSews   Advanced MI USA Member since 2007 Posts: 3443 Board Moderator	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/12 11:23 AM Lady Mame offers some very good suggestions. I have learned to be kjind to myself and when I hit a wall, I hit a wall. It is OK if all that gets done is paying any bills that don't auto-pay, doing laundry so I have clean undies and having fresh milk, a banana and oatmeal so I can start my day. Everything else is up for grabs. One thing that has helped me immensely is getting outside for 30-60 minutes of walking ~ maybe you can walk during a lunch hour if you work. Fresh air helps me more than I can begin to explain. It surprised me when I realized I miss not going out. I walk esentially the same path and do it slowly and methodically, more for the meditational aspect than for exercise. Some days I pay attention to onature around me, others I am concentrating on maintaining balance on the icy path; I now know to be attentive for deer leaping across the path in one area so as to avoid getting hit (2-3 feet is not much room). So, everyday is different and my mind is allowed to wander to wherever it needs to go. It is a win-win. Some days there is even sun!!! ------ "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin "Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown
sewbehind Beginner ON CANADA Member since 2005 Posts: 704	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/12 11:27 AM If you can get your head around it exercise for stress reduction alone. Yoga, tai chi, chi gung, any of those. Walking outside is great, connect with nature. Force yourself to belly breath deeply. Know and tell yourself that "This too shall pass". Try to let those external factors over which you have not much control, just be. Try to do things that bring you joy. I've read posts from you before and know that you do running, and also that you are supposed to have your house on the market. The house on the market is very stressful. Do what you can and then try to roll with it. I was married to a military man and moved many times. I now tell him that when we finally downsize, I want to be elsewhere when we sell! It's like living in a fishbowl and you have to be constantly neat. It's been mentioned before but do try to eat nutritious food. My best wishes, Kim. Helen
sewbehind Beginner ON CANADA Member since 2005 Posts: 704	Login to reply to this post In reply to EleanorSews Like this post Date: 1/24/12 11:30 AM Eleanor, I guess we were typing at the same time. I do NEED to be outside every day and like you live in a northern climate. It does indeed work wonders. I walk with my dog pal. After each walk, I feel better! Helen
Kim12469 MI USA Member since 2008 Posts: 1986	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/12 11:33 AM I have majorly slacked off the running! Too busy, too tired, too yucky out, etc! I just can't get excited to go in the basement on the elliptical but that's the reason I bought the darn thing. Tonight, I will take a dog for a walk! ------ http://kimsewsilly.blogspot.com/
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 2002 Posts: 6479	Login to reply to this post In reply to Kim12469 Like this post Date: 1/24/12 11:48 AM From personal experience, I have learned that sometimes there is no substitute for a couple of sessions with a good family therapist. Mine taught me a couple of simple but very useful mental tricks for acknowledging stressors and dealing with them.
jadamo00 Advanced NY Member since 2006 Posts: 450	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/12 12:20 PM Therapy. Al-anon. Contemplative prayer.
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 2008 Posts: 2944	Login to reply to this post In reply to Kim12469 Like this post Date: 1/24/12 1:18 PM Adding intentional reading to my bedtime routine has successfully separated day time concerns from the bedroom. I nod off over my reading far quicker than I was falling asleep when my mind was able to make it's own decisions on what to focus on. For me: Nighttime reading Leaving the house each day Daily intentional exercise (for days without scheduled exercise) Rationing incoming media Planned exercise schedule for the week. Eliminating negative influences. -- Edited on 1/25/12 10:46 AM -- ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.

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