Stress (Kinda Serious)

[baker]

How do you all deal with your stress?

Lifting takes a lot of stress out of me. I try to make the hardest part of my day at the gym. That only helps so much so what kind of things do ya'll do to help. Meditation, Inebriation, etc.

Speaking of stress, the kids are screaming. ;)

[GuyJin]

My sister has a very high-pressure job which requires her to multi-task all the time. I asked her once how she could handle such a high-stress job, as I'd probably go bananas from it. Her answer was: "I don't think of it as "stress"---I think of it as a challenge." That changed my viewpoint on it all.

Now, when I face certain situations, be they monetary, family, work, social or all of them, I simply take it in stride, face up to it, deal with it as a challenge to be surmounted, and then move on. I'm not saying that I don't feel the effects of stress; of course I do. But I don't let it get the best of me. Some of us out there take a drink--or five--when it gets to be too much, but boozing or drugging is just a crutch, an escape, and a temporary one at that. Not for me. And while deep breathing, meditation and the like are definitely helpful, I'd simply say that facing up to those situations and making a conscious decision to tackle them is perhaps the best "stress releaser" you could do.

[JoelM05]

I go to the batting cage and hit some balls, or I go to the driving range and hit balls. We set up a net down at the park and my buddy Ogie will take slapshots at me, or I go to the MX track and try to keep up with the young guys. Heading out on the back roads on the bike helps de-stress too.

Depends on the day. :)

[jd70]

A night of I & I always makes me feel better. Intercouse and intoxication.


hahaha..lmao..i think this really helps relieve stress.. http://storeyourpicture.com/images/signature_body.jpg

[shlape]

How do you all deal with your stress?

Lifting takes a lot of stress out of me. I try to make the hardest part of my day at the gym. That only helps so much so what kind of things do ya'll do to help. Meditation, Inebriation, etc.

Speaking of stress, the kids are screaming. ;)

Meditation. Here's a great (non religious) book. He takes a scientific view on it:
http://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Wisdom-Illness/dp/0385303122

[Rogerthat]

I don't let anything bother me no matter what it is. If I do start to let something get bigger then it needs to be then I just remember that we are just weird creatures living a short time on a spinning rock kept alive by a burning fire in the sky. 100 years from now all new people will inhabit it. It all means squat, this whole existence thing is quite silly really. Why let anything bother you? Its nuts.

[JolietKev]

We experience stress in many different ways. Psychological stressors take a toll on our bodies and how we respond to them determine the impact on our bodies. It is no wonder that when we are stressed we get sick more often than when we are not stressed. If you look at the events from a cognitive behavioral perspective. The events themselves are not stressfull, it is what we believe about the events and in turn we have a physiological reaction. Accepting the things that we can not change is always a good start when it comes to battling stress. Then if there are certain things that we can change start doing so. Talking with family and/or friends is also a good idea. Sometimes just verbalizing our fears and problems help more than anything else.

When I am stressed out I spend more time in prayer. I also examine all of the blessings in my life as well. There have been many times when I look back to the man things that I thought were stressfull in the past. I now see those things differently and wonder why I let them get to me. I always keep one thing in my mind at all times. As long as my wife, my son, and myself are in good health we, with the Lord's help, can overcome anything this world can throw at us. Not that everything will be easy because we know that is not possible.

[dot1]

I own two businesses, one is in Chapter 11 (fitness club), I have tried ativan, paxil, etc. Exercise is the best remedy. I am also having marital problems, mostly do to her starting a new business and not having an income for over two years after a $100K job for several years. We have two young children whom I do most of the child care. I also have developed some shaking of hands. I am working on this and I am in a MUCH better place than I was. About a year ago one of my best friends killed himself on my golf course, I was the last person he talked to, I could tell he was not himself but would not come in to talk. That effected me more than I could have imagined! I read my Bible and currently going to marriage counsellin, again! Good Luck!

[baker]

"I don't think of it as "stress"---I think of it as a challenge." That changed my viewpoint on it all.

That's a great view.



A night of I & I always makes me feel better. Intercouse and intoxication.

:D


We experience stress in many different ways. Psychological stressors take a toll on our bodies and how we respond to them determine the impact on our bodies. It is no wonder that when we are stressed we get sick more often than when we are not stressed. If you look at the events from a cognitive behavioral perspective. The events themselves are not stressfull, it is what we believe about the events and in turn we have a physiological reaction. Accepting the things that we can not change is always a good start when it comes to battling stress. Then if there are certain things that we can change start doing so. Talking with family and/or friends is also a good idea. Sometimes just verbalizing our fears and problems help more than anything else.

Great post. If you say out loud why your pissed off it sometimes seems ridiculous.

I always say if you will remember this situation in 5 years then by all means be mad, if it's trivial BS then why sweat it.

[TooSlow]

Working out helps me now as my former relief was smoking (cigarettes). Being with my dogs helps as well. Nothing like being pulled by two Huskys and a Chihuahua to keep things in perspective (it's not quite that bad, but use you imagination). Swimming helps sometimes. Riding the Harley helps. Drag racing (legally) the Cobra helps. Be well and breathe deep.

[dungeonmistress]

How do you all deal with your stress?

Lifting takes a lot of stress out of me. I try to make the hardest part of my day at the gym. That only helps so much so what kind of things do ya'll do to help. Meditation, Inebriation, etc.

Speaking of stress, the kids are screaming. ;)

let's see...i work for satan incarnate and manage a law office, babysitting about 40 attorneys plus my staff of 11...3 weeks ago i went away on business and came home to discover my boyfriend dead on my bathroom floor and to make matters worse, we split expenses - he died before he could pay his end...i'm a single parent and have 4 parrots...i work for the state and the governor cut our pay by 15% with another 5% looming in the near future...i'm not drinking or on drugs...don't smoke...soooooo...working out is my drug of choice. if i did not work out after work we would have a serious problem. if i did not work out i would implode. that wouldn't be pretty.

i can't shut my brain off enough to meditate - so instead i get tattooed. i like the pain and control. i feel GREAT after about 3 hours worth of needle torture. i can't afford it tho right now (just cancelled 3 appts damn it), but come tax return time i'll be sporting something new i'm sure!

[spartanrugby]

To respond to the OP, I deal with stress either through exercise or music. Whether it be listening to a certain song that I feels addresses what I'm going through, or just plain playing music on my guitar or piano. If I'm in a melancholy mood, I'll either listen to music or go to the gym. I'll listen to what some might consider depressing music, but I just listen to it and it then helps me get out of my "funk."

Although, I do like aneas' approach with I&I =)

And I'd also second the people who have said approach it as a challenge. Half the battle is your mindset.

[SP1966]

Masturbation! (Kinda Serious) :D

[Whatanejit]

Well being a woman I like to talk about it :D

Definately helps to debrief over a cup of tea or a glass of gin with someone you trust.


I'm a 'challenge' sort of girl too.

It would be the dynamics with people that may get me riled eventually. Spending time with my horses makes all well with the world. Their social structure is so simple that is simplifies my stress and I leave feeling much better.

[GuyJin]

Well being a woman I like to talk about it :D

Definately helps to debrief over a cup of tea or a glass of gin with someone you trust.


I'm a 'challenge' sort of girl too.

It would be the dynamics with people that may get me riled eventually. Spending time with my horses makes all well with the world. Their social structure is so simple that is simplifies my stress and I leave feeling much better.

----------------------

I think that's what I'll do in my next life--be a vet and spend time with all the animals of the world. (The ones that won't eat me, I mean). A lot easier to deal with than people at times, give love unconditionally, and make you feel better about life in general.

[Klayfish]

let's see...i work for satan incarnate and manage a law office, babysitting about 40 attorneys plus my staff of 11...3 weeks ago i went away on business and came home to discover my boyfriend dead on my bathroom floor and to make matters worse, we split expenses - he died before he could pay his end...i'm a single parent and have 4 parrots...i work for the state and the governor cut our pay by 15% with another 5% looming in the near future...i'm not drinking or on drugs...don't smoke...soooooo...working out is my drug of choice. if i did not work out after work we would have a serious problem. if i did not work out i would implode. that wouldn't be pretty.

i can't shut my brain off enough to meditate - so instead i get tattooed. i like the pain and control. i feel GREAT after about 3 hours worth of needle torture. i can't afford it tho right now (just cancelled 3 appts damn it), but come tax return time i'll be sporting something new i'm sure!

Gee dungeon, beyond that, what could you possibly have to stress about? Life is grand!! ;)



OP,
As you can see, everyone deals with stress in their own unique way. There is no right answer. It's whatever works for you. You mentioned kids. I'm in the same boat. I've got a 5 year old son, and twins (one boy, one girl) who turn two in a few weeks. We have a live in nanny, who is just like having a 4th child. Wife and I both work full time with longish commutes. Have a new house with lots of property which takes time I don't have. Just way too many things to do and not enough time to get to them all.

I wish I had an easy way to say "This is how I deal with it". But to me, life happens. Good, bad, ugly, easy, hard. To qoute a famous song...."You take the good, you take the bad, you take them all and there you have...the facts of life". :D I just take it as it comes.

[beachguy498]

I have a very stressful job (do more with less!), a shaky marriage, 2 sons between 17 and 21, car payments, debt, the works.

The gym helps me with stress, working out my frustrations. I have an ongoing landscape project I'm almost done with that involved digging up 2 sizeable garden plots by hand. If I wasn't in 1/2 way decent shape, it would have been cardiac arrest material. Instead, I got a lot of satisfaction out of 3 hours an evening working with a shovel and rake.

BG

[Tyrbolift]

Stress for me is just too many "problems" going on at once, none of which are easily solvable. They all go round and round in my head and create a "picture."

All I have to do is separate the issues, slow down, and take them one at a time. The best way from keeping them all nagging at me is to write down a list of what each one is, and then I can be reassured they have been transferred out of my brain on to paper.

[pmartel]

Me too, very stressful job.

Of late, I've been using photography as my outlet.

It seems everytime I'm out, I see things differently and think 'now how would I shoot that??'

When I have had a really good session, it feels amazing knowing you've done something creative.

Of late, also, the gym is a GREAT way to deal with stress, in my job, I've developed such a 'whatever' attitude it has gotten me in trouble

[Tyrbolift]

in my job, I've developed such a 'whatever' attitude it has gotten me in troubleEspecially if you go "whatevah, whatevah, I do what I want!" :D

[chirppy82]

"Keep it simple stupid". Not taking the piss, but I have felt stressed on the occasion over the last five years of my career and nine out of ten times it's just me not taking things one at a time. You might have twenty jobs all due at the same time but attack them one at a time. Simplify the way you think and get enough sleep. On the topic of stress you need a certain amount to keep you interested, we all need challenge or life gets boring.

[dungeonmistress]

Masturbation! (Kinda Serious) :D

well since it appears you know your way around wood so well, can you give me a few pointers about how to go about fixing my speaker? :D

[Tyrbolift]

well since it appears you know your way around wood so well, can you give me a few pointers about how to go about fixing my speaker? :DHis experience around wood deals mainly with tweeters, so he could probably help.

[paolo59]

Well being a woman I like to talk about it :D

Definately helps to debrief over a cup of tea or a glass of gin with someone you trust.


I'm a 'challenge' sort of girl too.

It would be the dynamics with people that may get me riled eventually. Spending time with my horses makes all well with the world. Their social structure is so simple that is simplifies my stress and I leave feeling much better.

Stress can be a killer! You are absolutely right in the "debriefing!" LOL When you've got someone you can talk to, rant and rave, someone to just listen, it can be a great relief. It may not change anything, but it's certainly helpful to get some pent up aggravations and pressures off your chest.

[SP1966]

well since it appears you know your way around wood so well, can you give me a few pointers about how to go about fixing my speaker? :D
I got a pointer all right!! LOL

[djflex]

Masturbation! (Kinda Serious) :D

lol, dude you kill me...

[KeepItMoving]

I too have a very stressful job. I find that putting in the grunt work/prep work that is necessary to be fully prepared for my next challenge greatly reduces my stress level. I also learned (from a wise, older client of mine who was/is a Navy Admiral and Orthopaedic Surgeon...talk about stress!!) to not sweat over the things you can't control. Additionally, deal with the "what if's" that can't be controlled only if they turn into ACTUAL problems. I have also started to accept having to deal with great responsibilities as more of an honor than as a burden. That has kinda helped me see things from the "challenge" perspective already mentioned here.

Still, stress is a real bitch. When I'm in the throes of it, I TRY to step back, calm down and get perspective, but it's hard. As I get older, I find that incompetence really tries my patience, particularly when that incompetence ends up adversely affecting my work product. It can be a real viscious cycle.

One of these days, I'm gonna pitch it all and leave working in the city. I'm gonna rent jet skis from a beach in the Caribbean. (Then I'll stress over whether the releases I use are good enough, the price of gas, and how much I'm getting screwed by the people selling me replacement parts for my skis.)

[baker]

Wow, great responses so far.

I started this thread to gain a little perspective on what other folks go through daily. I have a lot of stress which is normal for an adult who is the sole provider for the family. You really don't have to look far to find someone worse off than you, especially today. I deal with mine in the gym and make sure to spend quality time with my kids everyday.

[ocinkd]

Well, stress, and plenty of it, landed me in the hospital ER thinking I was having a heart attack. BP was in (dr.s words) 'stroke territory' and had been for quite some time. Find a way to deal with it before it (literally) kills you, 'cause I can personally attest that it can. Since my episode, ive rediscovered fitness and lifting, and am well on my way back to a very solid weight, with a very solid body; the 40mg. of daily prozac my Dr. put me on though, frankly, was a godsend - though the more and more I train, the more and more I realize its natural prozac. Check out my bodyblog first entry you can read all the horid details.

[Blake Austin]

~A few drinks.
~Work out.
~A nice dip of Cherry Long Cut Skoal.
~Sit by the pool all day.
~Sit on the beach all day.
~Read.
~Watch sports.

I have lots of ways to deal with stress!

[billrich210]

How do you all deal with your stress?

Lifting takes a lot of stress out of me. I try to make the hardest part of my day at the gym. That only helps so much so what kind of things do ya'll do to help. Meditation, Inebriation, etc.

Speaking of stress, the kids are screaming. ;)

I deal with it just like I deal with keeping alcohol out of my life. One day at a time. Try to keep things in perspective and don't carry the world on your shoulders, it gets heavier every day! One of the best things (besides sobriety and working out) is to realize that you are not responsible for other people's feelings just like they are not responsible for yours. I can't hurt your feelings, there youre feelings and your responsibility. May sound like crap but it helped me.

[jsmircich]

I have a very stressful job (which, because of HIPPA I can only discuss those things at work which doesn't always help since everyone there deals with similar issues) as well as some family stressors. I go to the gym (of course), lose myself in what my husband calls "smut" books aka as romance novels, walk and work with the dog, hang at the beach (if it will every stop raining).