View Full Version : How Do You Cope With Stress?
Domestic Goddess
22-10-05, 12:05 PM
I thought we could compile a list of things that have helped us to cope, so that someone who is suffering can come and get some new ideas on how to cope.
I would always say to anyone tha one of your first steps should be to see your GP and ask for help. The coping tools here are not an alternative to medical help, but just things that help you to unwind.
* Buy a CD or two of music that relaxes you. It can be anything as long as you feel it helps you to unwind.
*Invest in bath oils and bubble baths. A long hot soak can go a long way. Also consider putting some tealights in your bathroom and bathe by candlelight - it's lovely (and it's harder to see your cellulite!!)
* Buy DVD's of your favourite "feel good" movies and make yourself some popcorn and snuggle down and enjoy a film-fest.
*Reread some of your favourite childhood books. Try to remember what you were like as a child and think about those carefree summers and making dens etc
* Buy a few guided meditation tapes and allow your mind to float away.
*Think about taking up a hobbey that you've always fancied - painting, yoga, singing, swimming etc
*Spend an afternoon in a quiet library. Read some thing light hearted and soak in the peace. This would also work in a church or a public garden.
*Consider nature - put up a bird table and watch the results. If you're not a gardener consider buying a hanging basket or window box to give you a splash of colour
This is just a start. I'm looking forward to reading other people's ideas....
Miss Understood
22-10-05, 01:03 PM
Glad to see you back DG.
Coping with stress:
The bird table is a brilliant idea and it works! I put a bird feeder high up in a bush cose to a kitchen window. It means I can watch the birds without them getting frightened. And it's fascinating. - it always brings a smile to my face. There is a group of about ten sparrows that visit every morning and evening and watching their little petty squabbles over who's turn it is to feed is very therapeutic! Just recently, a lone great tit has been visiting so I'm hoping he's telling his mates where the stuff is. Watching the symbiosis between the bird species is interesting. The wood pigeons can't reach the feeder because it's too deeply embedded in the bush, but they've learnt that some of the seed falls on the ground so they wait underneath it!
A long walk through a park or wood or a river bank is also very calming and the exercise is beneficial too. I live near the sea and, a few years ago, when I was in my most stressful period of life, I took to driving down to the beach and throwing stones at the end of a groin. That really did help - let me release all my pent up frustration in a safe and controlled way.
Affirmations sometimes work to. When you go to bed at night, lie there and say to yourself 'tomorrow is going to be a good day'. Reaffirm it when you wake up in the morning (Today is going to be a good day). Surprisingly, it does quite often work.
Write down a list of all the things that are contributing to your stress. Take that list outside and ceremonially burn it.
A very large gin and tonic works wonders for me too - but don't try that one too often because you could end up with a different set of problems!
I'll sometimes put on a favourite weepy movie ("It's a wonderful life" is quite a good one) and let myself have a good sob over it. I feel much better then.
And, of course, you don't HAVE to answer the phone or the door everytime someone rings or knocks. If you're feeling stressed just ignore them!
I listen to music, turn it up very loud, heavy metal when I'm angry and it mellows down to ballads as my mood changes
A really good film, something funny or something to remind me of my younger days does it too, or engrossing myself in a good book
A great night out (or in) with good company and lots of laughs destresses me
Also walking the dogs, just chatting to them, looking roun d at the world passing us by, pointing things out like birds, changes in the season, I feel so much better after that
Really bad problems and I talk them through, normally with my mum, we put the world to rights 100's of times a day
The bird table is a good one, Ilove watching the birds, and also the fish in our pond, very realxing
A large bar of chocolate and a bottle of wine will do it too :lol:
Bonkers Mad!!!
22-10-05, 03:00 PM
Cats :thumbs: loads of em :yes:
phantos02
22-10-05, 03:24 PM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bonkers Mad!!! @ 22nd October 2005 - 2:00 PM) 138727</div> Cats :thumbs: loads of em :yes: [/b]
I'll second that. Our cat always makes me smile :)
Miss Understood
22-10-05, 03:36 PM
Oops!! That must have been a freudian slip - should have been groyne of course! :blush:
Mr Ribbit
22-10-05, 03:47 PM
Great suggestions and tips. :thumbs:
Intimacy is the perfect stress buster. Lying in bed just holding your partner as close as possible, just being in 'the moment', not thinking about anything other than being together. The warmth, softness and peace of just 'being'. Being in a 'love bubble' that excludes everything else.
Reminds us of what's important. :flowers:
phantos02
22-10-05, 04:48 PM
Wow Mr Ribbit, you've got it covered haven't you??!
So true though :blush:
Bonkers Mad!!!
22-10-05, 04:49 PM
MR RIBBIT!??! :bigeyes: :hihi: :wub:
wildheart
22-10-05, 05:33 PM
I listen to music (anything from classical to heavy metal depending on mood). I have a few glasses of wine or watch the soaps. I read a lot and I also write. At night I listen to a relaxation and self-hypnosis CD like Paul Mckenna. It really sends me off to sleep. Only problem is I have to wake up the next day and face NFH again.
:blush: No point me saying I unwind with soft music and a good book then! :lol:
Of course, Mr R meant "emotional" intimacy... warm cuddles and all that. :blush: :blush:
X-Rated Ribbit :lol:
I agree with pretty much everyone. Calming music is great. :thumbs: I also find playing oldies is good for calming me too. Playing stuff from 'happier times' is a real nostalgia trip in itself, but always makes me smile.
Good films, good book, hot bubble bath, large drink :blush: like most of you also suggested.
Going for a walk is excellent too I find, but somewhere calm and peaceful. We live near Richmond Park, and it's nice walking through there. My favourite would have to be a cliff top walk though, now that really blows the cob webs away. A few weeks ago I had a lovely walk along Beachy Head and it real was therapeutic. I felt great after that.
Hobbies are good therapy too. I have a few, but my favourite stress busting hobby, which doesn't appeal to everyone, is tracing mine and Mr.sp's family history. It is time consuming, but I have traced back a few hundred years on some of our lines, and when you see the names of your 16th century ancestors written down, and the huge number of children they had - and lost - it really makes everything else seem insignificant. We are all just passing through after all, and it puts everything in perspective. Now those people really knew what a bad time was!! :cry: But, after a while, like everything else, it's back to reality again and living with a NFH, but it is essential to have an 'escape' from our problems, and whatever works for you is a must to pursue as often as you need while we have these probs we all share.
hi all
its music for me too im afraid my headphones are a life saver but i find mellow or soothing music makes me sad
its good old rock and roll music that chases the blues away for me
no matter how bad i feel i always end up jiving with the mop :blush:
mind you i think i prefer the ribbits way of coping might be persauded to try that method sometime too :o
Blimey Mr R, Mr Eeyore read that and got ideas :blush: he'd better not, he's loaded with cold and I don't want it! :lol:
Domestic Goddess
22-10-05, 06:23 PM
Mr Ribbit,
are you prepared to share you stress coping technique with all the ladies of the forum?!!!!
We wait in anticipation!!!
Lady Penelope
22-10-05, 06:59 PM
:lol: Lol at the Ribberty folk ...I guess I am more or less like the rest of you. I love listening to music to unwind and pottering around in the garden too. We have a bird bath and table and it's wonderful watching the birds scratching about, even Chicken Legs sits bemused watching. Er indoors, darling I do that too :lol: ...mstr LP runs away when I am singing and hates it when I get the attatchment to the hoover out and start thinking I'm Alison Moyet :rolleyes: Lots of walks with CL and jumping on the autumn leaves
Nicest relaxing treat is at 6 in the evening.....fires is lit and crackling away and I have a little glass of wine with CL curled up on the sofa. :yes:
LPxxx
Mr Ribbit
22-10-05, 08:33 PM
Errrrm.... :blush: ....If I mentioned that I meant the 'cuddling' variety, would that make a difference? :blush: :whistle: :blush:
;)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr Ribbit @ 22nd October 2005 - 7:33 PM) 138790</div> Errrrm.... :blush: ....If I mentioned that I meant the 'cuddling' variety, would that make a difference? :blush: :whistle: :blush:
;) [/b]
:D probably not we are a rotten lot :rolleyes: quick go back and edit there may be one or two people on the forum who may not have seen it yet :thumbs:
Lady Penelope
22-10-05, 09:22 PM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr Ribbit @ 22nd October 2005 - 7:33 PM) 138790</div> Errrrm.... :blush: ....If I mentioned that I meant the 'cuddling' variety, would that make a difference? :blush: :whistle: :blush:
;) [/b]
:lol: Yeah....quick go back and edit it in BOLD ....see as er indoors say's there are other ladies who haven't seen it yet
:P
Miss Understood
22-10-05, 11:39 PM
SP54.
That's something I do too - tracing my family history. But don't you just get Sooooo frustrated when you end up with, say, a John Jones who lived in a village and was born at the same time as about ten other John Jones's - and all their fathers were called John and their mothers Mary?
Grrrr!
Maybe that's a new breed and a new forum - AFH - ancestors from hell!
Why couldn't they call their children something unique like Tarquin My-Mother's-Maiden-Name-Was-Antiquesettee Jones?
Hey ho - but it is fascinating doing the research all the same, even if you do end up with brick walls
:banghead:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Miss Understood @ 22nd October 2005 - 10:39 PM) 138813</div>
SP54.
That's something I do too - tracing my family history. But don't you just get Sooooo frustrated when you end up with, say, a John Jones who lived in a village and was born at the same time as about ten other John Jones's - and all their fathers were called John and their mothers Mary?
Grrrr!
Maybe that's a new breed and a new forum - AFH - ancestors from hell!
:banghead:
[/b]
:lol: :thumbs: Excellent idea. Lets start one :thumbs: