NationStates Jolt Archive

What strategies do you have in place to help you cope with stress in your life? How do those strategies change depending on the particular stress? What used to work for you, but no longer does, or visa versa?

For example, one strategy I used to use was a long bath...now, with two young children who LOVE to bathe, and hate it when mommy is alone for more than a millisecond, this activity is something akin to Chinese water torture.

*sighs and relaxes into the warm water, full of bubbles...*
*banging on the door, "Mommy!"Pause,"Mommy! Me bath! Bath mommy? Me bath!*
*"No, mommy is trying to relax honey, bath for mommy, not you. You can bathe later."*
*Banging continues, voices get shriller, relaxation is shredded....*

You get the picture.

Now I enjoy a good housecleaning when I get stressed. For some reason, having my physical surroundings somewhat in order helps my state of mind.

I actually own a bar. So what I do is sit back and watch the drunks. Its entertaining and really helps me realize my life isnt so bad.

I used to play a game or read a book, usually combine one of those with listening to music. Now I'm much more likely to simply listen to the music, or go to sleep. I tend to find that a lot of my day is spent either wanting to be in bed, or actually being asleep. Aside from that, my stress handling technique is called bottle it up til some poor unfortunate goes to far and ends up with an earfull, or worse. I'm not particularly proud of it, but it has happened on ocassion.

Sleep has become a luxury for which I would be willing to pay almost any price:)

I too enjoy reading to relieve stress. Getting outside for a good walk with the kids help clear the cobwebs too. At the times when I have nothing but a vague, but persistant feeling of forboding, I find it is necessary to talk to someone about what is bothering me...because up to that point I'm not really sure. When I figure out what it is, it's usually easier to deal with. Like right now. I'm stressed because I can't pay the bills right now. Solution? My husband's first pay cheque after five months of school is coming soon...all will be well. Stress relieved.

Up until this point I was just edgy and bleak...

Aside from that, my stress handling technique is called bottle it up til some poor unfortunate goes to far and ends up with an earfull, or worse. I'm not particularly proud of it, but it has happened on ocassion.
"bottle up and explode over and over keep the troublemaker below
put it away and check out for the day
and in for a round of overexposure
the thing mother nature provides to get up and go
bottle up and explode seeing the stars surrounding you
red white and blue
you look at him like you've never known him
but i know for a fact that you have
the last time you cried who'd you think was inside?
thinking that you were about to come over
but i'm tired now of waiting for you
you never show
bottle up and go, if you're gonna hide it's up to you
i'm coming through
bottle up and go, i can make it outside
i'll get though becoming you
becoming you
becoming you"
"Bottle Up and Explode!", by Elliot Smith

Pot and PS2

Pot and PS2
:p
You need to be Canadian...you'd just FIT...

"What are your (effective) strategies for dealing with stress?"

Strenuous exercise and sex always work for me. :)

Exercise works well. So does sparring. Find a good martial arts school (there aren't too many good ones) and you can do both.

smoke lots of weed. works for me :)

i just...dont

:p
You need to be Canadian...you'd just FIT...

I often wish I were. You have a good thing going up there.

i just...dont
Then perhaps you should think of some ways you COULD deal with stress, BEFORE it hits you like a big wet St. Bernard...

Does coming here and posting help relieve stress for you?

Hitting a punching bag or meditation are my usual stress relievers.

What strategies do you have in place to help you cope with stress in your life? How do those strategies change depending on the particular stress? What used to work for you, but no longer does, or visa versa?

For example, one strategy I used to use was a long bath...now, with two young children who LOVE to bathe, and hate it when mommy is alone for more than a millisecond, this activity is something akin to Chinese water torture.

*sighs and relaxes into the warm water, full of bubbles...*
*banging on the door, "Mommy!"Pause,"Mommy! Me bath! Bath mommy? Me bath!*
*"No, mommy is trying to relax honey, bath for mommy, not you. You can bathe later."*
*Banging continues, voices get shriller, relaxation is shredded....*

You get the picture.

Now I enjoy a good housecleaning when I get stressed. For some reason, having my physical surroundings somewhat in order helps my state of mind.

This is exactly what my wife goes through every time she wants to take a bath.

For me, it's exercise. Biking uphill through powder snow for thrity minutes usually does it...

Then perhaps you should think of some ways you COULD deal with stress, BEFORE it hits you like a big wet St. Bernard...

Does coming here and posting help relieve stress for you?
well...i sort of tend to not get too stressed by anything anyway, so right now its not really an issue, life just sort of happens, things happen and thats that...i tend to have a pretty laid back outlook and dont get worked up over little things too much

but on the odd occasion that i do get stressed by something then im a wreck...

"Bottle Up and Explode!", by Elliot Smith


Thumbs up.


Music is the best way for me to relieve stress. I put in some ska and I'm good to go. :)

Just not getting stressed in the first place is the best solution. Laugh everything off. Hedonism is a mindset condusive to this. And, as has been stated, exercise (kendo is pretty kickass, if I must say so myself), reading, music, and cannabis all work.

And, because I can't help myself, stabbity death.

From a guy who has dealt with alot of stress, I've found some pretty effective ways of dealing with it.

Long, Hot Bath: Make sure it's hot, and just lie down and relax. Close your eyes, try to let your mind wander, think about pleasant things, and just...chill. Try not to fall asleep though...water + sleep can be kinda dangerous :p .

Video Games: When your angry, there is nothing better than venting your frustrations on some poor, pixlized people. Blow up a few buildings, crash a car, unload a SMG on a squad of zombies. It's all good.

Food: This should NEVER be mistaken with binge eating. If your feeling stressed, reach for either; something healthy, as it will make you feel good about yourself, or; chocolate. Chocolate is an EXCELENT stress reliever, as it releases some "good vibes" chemicals in your brain.

Excersize: Any sort of exersize, be it walking or wieght-lifting, releases chemicals which make your body feel good all over, and you feel good about yourself too, as you're taking that negetive energy, and venting it into something productive.

Comedy: Find a good, funny movie on TV, and just let yourself laugh. Laughing also causes chemicals that relax the body.

That...was Bolol's Two Cents.

Air guitaring to Slayer.

computer games yay ! ^_^

I'm so rarely stressed, you're more likely to see a pink elephant then me stressed out.
But on that rare ocasion, I find blowing something up really helps.
No kidding.

like 8 or 9 years back I was living in the country, huge property. Was under some stress for something I forgot now, so I took the cinder blocks just laying around, built a small bunker out behind the hill (Well away from houses) and loaded it with 10kg of home made explosives.
What fun. Nothing relaxes you faster then that.

Two words: Diablo II

Ahhhhh ... relaxing!

Gunfire!!

Also a xxx throw down helps too.

I write and i meditate

sex always work for me.

Why am I thinking based on your pic & age that doesn't happen for you a lot any more..*LOL* :D

What strategies do you have in place to help you cope with stress in your life? How do those strategies change depending on the particular stress? What used to work for you, but no longer does, or visa versa?



When I get mad at someone at school, I come home and play a first person shooter. When I get mad in school, I hold back my anger and store it for another cause, like fighting the NWO.

Counting to 10 only makes me angrier.

I have come to a point where I have realized that no matter how much I stress out about something, it isn't going to make it any easier/better. Take money issues for example. I can get stressed out about money REALLY easily. And I freak out. But, in the end everything always finds a way to work out.

This is the case in almost any situation that stresses you out...eventually it is going to be over, and it will have worked out somehow (whether the way you wanted it to or not). The idea is just to know that it is eventually going to be over.

So right now..I am kinda on the verge of being broke and I am praying that my bonus check comes in the mail this week, but I know that no matter what, somehow it is all going to be ok.

this usually get rid of the source of the stress http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/armed/Tomcat.gif

" What are your (effective) strategies for dealing with stress? "

First thing, if possible get out of the stressful situation.

Meditation, walking, long baths, silence, relaxing music and laughter.

Depends on the kind of stress.
When there is trouble at home, I put in ZZ Top and turn up the volume.
(I got that from my sister who uses this very effectively when the kids are not the cute little ones. They don't use spanking. And shouting doesn't help either, so let the drums and guitars do their job. And the kids understood that very quick - if the house vibrates don't talk to mommy or daddy.)

When it's business stress, I take a walk home, or along the bus route as far as I get. Sauna and massage helps too. A few years back, when I used to work 80-100 hours a week, I went to massage twice a week. Now I changed to a nice 40h job, with less money but also much less stress.

I might play my guitar, or listen to "happy music" which is usually Queen. :p

A relaxed shower or bath is good. And cleaning can be de-stressing once you've started. It's getting started thats the problem.

Play my guitar. When I'm really really angry and stressed up.. destroy my guitar strings.

Either than that, sing or punch a sibling.. j/k punching bag.

Excerceise is a great way of dealing with stress and a good way of losing weight. Don't know why I'm still fat.

There is a reason that some college friends of mine dubbed me 'the goddess of digital destruction".

Mostly T.I.E. Fighter or any sword-swinging game (Neverwinter Nights, Jedi Knight, Knights of the Old Republic... you get the idea).