When you get really stressed out...

[Snicklefritz]

what coping skills do you use?

So many of us seem to come to PS with all sorts of stressors, and rightly so; PS is very much a coping strategy in itself. But, what else do you do? Read a book, run, cook, talk to someone? What works for you? Maybe it can help someone else.

When I''m stressed, I like to cook something simple, for which I have all the ingredients on hand. There''s something about the physical, rhythmic movement of chopping vegetables, or stirring a pot, that calms me down and brings me back to the present when my mind is off in a million directions. I also love to sit with the most relaxed soul I know, my little dog, Darby, whose only stressor is the mailman, and sometimes a stray squirrel.

 

[KimberlyH]

Exercise
Read a book
Watch a silly movie
Go for a stroll with DH

 

[Lorelei]

I clean the house.

 

[soocool]

1.Exercise
2. Clean House
3. Go Shopping
4. Drive Family Crazy..... in that order!

 

[CurlySue]

Depends on what I''m stressed about. If it''s something that''s under my control, I usually talk it out with my BF or good friend. Then add in some exercise, and I feel better.

If it''s something else that''s out of my control (eg: state of the economy), I cry it out for about 20 minutes, take a deep breath, and I feel better.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Exercise
Music
Internet (PS and other sites)
My cats

 

[Snicklefritz]

Date: 6/3/2009 10:46:54 AM
Author: soocool
1.Exercise

2. Clean House

3. Go Shopping

4. Drive Family Crazy..... in that order!

Soocoool, I think I may have a bit of #4 in me as well.

 

[Lilac]

I listen to music or get into bed and watch some TV for a little while. Exercise helps too.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My main coping skill is freaking out!

Others: cleaning house or meditation CD.

 

[jcarlylew]

hmm...
1. freak out on the person that made me freak out
2. cry
3. slam a door

ooo. i might need to see someone for that!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/3/2009 10:46:58 AM
Author: CurlySue
Depends on what I'm stressed about.

that is what I was thinking too. There have been less then a dozen times I was so stressed my skin felt prickly so I focused on deep breathing and thought of the times when things were bad and how they turned out okay in the end and that too should happen. Sometimes in those bad situations I will talk things through with friends.

Normal stress I try to get my exercise in daily and this really helps.
I do talk with friends if I am just unsure what to do and I am blessed to have great friends in my life; there are other times I just don't mention it as I don't want to stress people out either. hehe


I do agree with the music and exercise others have posted; those work for me or a nice walk where I clear my mind.

 

[Ellen]

Depends for me too. Sometimes if things are really bad, I like to do indepth studies on the flavor of Budlight, other times I listen to music or take a drive up the River Road.

 

[elrohwen]

I like to cook to de-stress too! Especially making simple things I've made a 100 times before; nothing beats comfort food. But it has to be something that takes at least a bit of work chopping veggies or stirring a pot. I think the actions at soothing.

I like reading, but sometimes when I'm really worked up I just can't concentrate on a book.

Since I've had my bunny, I love to sit with him. He's such a quiet soul that it really calms me down. And when he does silly things, it brightens my attitude a bit.

ETA: Having a nice glass of beer or wine is a great help for those rough days! I also love talking things out with FI or my mom; just getting it all out helps me feel better and compose my thoughts.

 

[Dancing Fire]

beat up my wife.

 

[tigian]

Good coping method-Play with my dogs since they always make me laugh and they are never stressed
Good coping method-take deep breaths, yoga
Good coping method-discuss with DH what would make me less stressed and what is going on
Bad coping method-shop online for clothes or things I really don''t need

 

[Shoopy]

I cry.

Seriously.

Sometimes just letting it all out in one big sobbing mess makes me feel so much better. I guess its equivalent to some people that just need to scream or take a few moments to count to 10.

 

[Haven]

- cry
- clean house
- run/bike/move!
- sit by the tracks and watch trains go by (I''ve done this since childhood, always lived by tracks)
- if it''s really bad, I''ll make popcorn and watch one of the following movies: When Harry Met Sally, Breakfast at Tiffany''s, Steal Magnolias, Beaches* (*this is reserved for the most severe cases of stress or A Christmas Story.
- when all else fails I''ll call my sister, she always knows what to do.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Depends on the LEVEL of stress

I just went through an enormous amount of stress and what helped me was talking with friends (more like venting), some good cries, reading to help put things in perspective and staying busy. If it is just everyday stress I like to shop, cuddle my baby, talk walks, and sometimes eat a little too much comfort food

 

[Bia]

I drive my FI crazy (but not on purpose--it''s like PMS, you don''t mean to be crazy, but you can''t help it)


and I run.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Totally depends what kind of stress, but in general, I try to keep busy with reasonably enjoyable and somewhat mindless tasks - that could be everythign from reading a good book to cooking to working out or shopping.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Date: 6/3/2009 1:26:48 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
beat up my wife.

Naughty...naughty. I''m aware of your reputation, here.

Thanks for the great responses, everyone! Like others have said, I also think crying helps me a lot. It usually takes a lot to get me to that point, but after I cry for 5 minutes or so, I usually feel a lot lighter.

 

[princesss]

I bake. In fact, I seem to stay less stressed if I bake regularly. Right now I''m working on perfecting a recipe, and my boss absolutely loves it, so I don''t have to eat it all! All the stress relief of baking, none of the weight gain.

 

[Kelli]

Get outdoors as quickly as possible for a walk or bike ride by myself, or occasionally with my fiancee. Going shopping by myeslf is nice too, as long as my worries aren''t over money!

 

[monarch64]

Not one person has mentioned BOOZE? Come on, people, stop holding back. LOL

Seriously, though, exercise is an awesome way for me to de-stress...I probably don't do it often enough, but about a 2 mile walk at a good clip of 3-3.5 mph really seems to reduce my stress level. Other than that, a few glasses of something alcoholic also does the trick. Oh, also sex. If only I were having it.

ETA: my bad, I see Elrohwen stepped up to the booze plate. Hee hee.

 

[soocool]

Date: 6/3/2009 10:54:23 AM
Author: Snicklefritz

Date: 6/3/2009 10:46:54 AM
Author: soocool
1.Exercise

2. Clean House

3. Go Shopping

4. Drive Family Crazy..... in that order!

Soocoool, I think I may have a bit of #4 in me as well.

I think my family would place #4 at the top of the list!

BTW, I love your sn. I remember a character with that name on a show my DD watched when she was little.

 

[goldenstar]

Depending on the situation:

HOT HOT bubble bath
Giant cup of yummy coffee
Listen to guided relaxation tracks on ipod and try to nap
Cry- it really releases everything for me
Cuddle with my dog

 

[Bia]

Date: 6/3/2009 2:26:59 PM
Author: monarch64
Not one person has mentioned BOOZE? Come on, people, stop holding back. LOL


Seriously, though, exercise is an awesome way for me to de-stress...I probably don''t do it often enough, but about a 2 mile walk at a good clip of 3-3.5 mph really seems to reduce my stress level. Other than that, a few glasses of something alcoholic also does the trick. Oh, also sex. If only I were having it.

ETA: my bad, I see Elrohwen stepped up to the booze plate. Hee hee.

Oh yea, I forgot about that! DEFINITELY

 

[purselover]

Normal/everyday stresses I talk/vent about it to friends or SO. If I''m REALLY upset about something I just internalize, I don''t talk about it or really use any type of coping mechanisim, not the healthiest thing I''m sure.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/3/2009 2:26:59 PM
Author: monarch64
Not one person has mentioned BOOZE? Come on, people, stop holding back. LOL

Seriously, though, exercise is an awesome way for me to de-stress...I probably don''t do it often enough, but about a 2 mile walk at a good clip of 3-3.5 mph really seems to reduce my stress level. Other than that, a few glasses of something alcoholic also does the trick. Oh, also sex. If only I were having it.

ETA: my bad, I see Elrohwen stepped up to the booze plate. Hee hee.

No one reads my posts, do they?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 6/3/2009 2:26:59 PM
Author: monarch64
Not one person has mentioned BOOZE? Come on, people, stop holding back. LOL

Seriously, though, exercise is an awesome way for me to de-stress...I probably don''t do it often enough, but about a 2 mile walk at a good clip of 3-3.5 mph really seems to reduce my stress level. Other than that, a few glasses of something alcoholic also does the trick. Oh, also sex. If only I were having it.

ETA: my bad, I see Elrohwen stepped up to the booze plate. Hee hee.

Yep, Elrohwen is the only a few honest ones here! lol She also started the favorite beer thread. hmmmm. . .

(okay, I''d admit to having a beer if stressed out. Unlike others here, I could never read a book to de-stress. Usually, when upset, it would be too hard for me to concentrate.)