How do you deal with stress ?

Get regular exercise
One a week, put aside some time to reflect
Focus attention on some aspect of work
Translate something into Latin

- Exercise (biggest one for me)
- Do something that has "flow" -- instant feedback (especially if what is stressing me out is some big project that's taking a long time). Computer games are good for this, but a small, easily achievable project also works (making chocolate chip cookies, say).
- Spend time with friends and family (especially a long, no-agenda lunch with a friend)
- Clean
- Do something mindless (like watch TV or read a stupid but entertaining book)

cut wood.
axe, wood pile, go at it. I choose the pieces to cut carefully they must cut easily not the gnarly knotted pieces.
Which kinda backs up what the others say. Demanding physical excercise instant gratification.

Exercise

Meditate

Watch reruns of Law & Order for the nth time.

Play some stupid, mindless game on the computer.

If none of those work, take a Valium, and go to sleep. Things are always easier to handle when you are rested.

I had a super-stressful weekend and just combined two things -- exercise and hanging out with a friend. I feel infinitely better.

1) listen to music :
these three songs always make me feel better no matter how sad I am and though a lot of people find this duo/group corny (namely my kids who make fun of me for listening to them, because they are a departure from my usual musical taste, which they for the most part approve of) I have to say that this is one of the most wonderful introductions I received on a2k- via Pragmatic- a very interesting law student who no longer posts here.


But anyway -she kept asking me if I'd heard of these guys and I hadn't and I thought the name of the group (Lighthouse Family) meant that they were some fundamental born again Christian cult making music- and I figured they wouldn't be my thing - but I listened to them and I love their melodies and their hopefulness. And yes they are cheesy - but all I have to do is turn the first song on and I'm lifted- see what you think:




2) nightly bubble baths

3) daily walks or working in the garden- anything outside

4)ordering my surroundings and/or cleaning

5)talking to my mother

I worry about it a lot and it stresses me out.

The same as when I have a work rage.

I sit in a corner and wait till it goes away...

For me, the best way to deal with stress is to avoid being stressed.

Not really that hard if you put your mind to it.

When I feel stress I grab a 1/4 stick of 40% dynamite, then I drive to the local strip mall and find the nearest Hummer parked in a handicapped spot, fuse the dynamite, place it under the Hummer then go sit at the Starbucks with a cup of latte, enjoy the show. Then I come home and take a nap on the sofa.

Sounds stressful

Sounds goood, dys, except there's too much travel-time involved. All that driving might stress me out.

I had more stress during my working career, and they began to disappear from the time I retired, but I still experience stress a few times a year. I believe it's part biological/psychosomatic, and uncontrollable to some extent.

I don't put too much effort into trying to reduce stress when I have it, because I know it'll be short-lived. I try to eat a balanced diet, and get some exercise as often as I can by walking or working around the house.

That's a cocky answer. Most helpful to the poster, too, I'm sure.

Well, Gala, it's an attitude that's certainly been of great help to me. Whether it's helpful to any one else is, of course, up to them.

stress?...hmm....

Oh, I remember now!

It's that unpleasant feeling I used to get from time to time before I retired.

Actually, I do feel stressed occasionally.
What helps me to relax is physical activity --like a long walk.

One thing I noticed from the This Is It docu/movie was how stressed MJ was. He was constantly shaking out his one hand.
I found myself doing the same thing last week.

Exercise - especially treadmill
stretching
TV "candy" shows (HGTV, America's Next Model, TMZ, Survivors, etc.)
Warm shower or bath
Amaretto on the rocks
Ativan

Wow - I don't deal with stress well. Well, I function very well under stress, but then I forget to take care of myself. But when I remember I feel so much better - regular exercise is the biggest way, then listen to unsoothing music, read and go sit in the woods and just be.