What are some things I can do to be less stressed out? My ex is a jerk. My house is still under construction.I work midnights and my job sucks. Wahhhhhhh. Call whine-11! I really need to chill out. Any suggestions. I just took a vacation and then I called in sick for 3 days. It still wasn't enough.
What do you do to handle stress? Any suggestions?

Stress can be an overwhelming feeling. It can not only take it's toll on you mentally but physically as well. Please be careful not to let that happen.
As for relieving stress, well, I hate to exercise, but I play softball. It's a great stress reliever for me. You can whack that ball as hard as you want and it's a good thing!
Do you like to go fishing? Some say that's a good way. It's quite and you can lose yourself there.
And if nothing else works, take a valium! (just jokin', I think!)
Cheer up sweetie, the ex will get his. Don't waste your time letting him get to you. That's probably what you'd tell me right?

I hate exercise, too! Here are some of the healthier things I do that help me to enjoy life a little bit more, especially when times are hard:

Play with dog.
Visit salon and/or spa regularly.
Garden.
Read a good book (and I've got some suggestions for ya, if you're interested).

I've also found that getting lots of sleep helps take the edge off things. Whatever you do, don't feel guilty for trying to take care of yourself. Do what you have to do to be happy. You deserve it and you only live once!

I should have said that!!! It's so true. It's been proven that petting your dog relieves stress.
Good call, girl!!

I suggest you take a nice long bath. It always works for me. Unplug the telephonne line to prevent any distractions! Bring a radio to the bathroom and listen to your favorite music!!

You may take a loooong bath (like perfect peach said) with some nice relaxing smell, like green apple or vanilla.
And every time you are feeling overwelmed you may close your eyes, take a deep breath and count to ten while controling your breathing rithm.
Good luck

quote:

---

Read a good book (and I've got some suggestions for ya, if you're interested).

---

I am looking for more long term stress relievers. A bath is great but it only helps for the moment. I need something to get my mind off my problems. Truth is.. I don't want to deal with them right now. I need a break. (No drugs ) Any suggestions?

Stress, I know the feeling! I think that you have to sort the thing that you can do something about from the things you can't first. You have to tackle one small thing at a time. Although I have trouble following this advice at times, it is good.

Vacations are a band aid or a temporary fix. You do have to find some time for yourself and something that you enjoy. Exercise is an important factor in stress reduction. It doesn't make the problems causing it go away, but does help you cope better.

You're ex is a jerk. You can't change that no matter how frustrating it is. Your job sucks. Make that one a sort of longer term goal. The house, take it as it comes. Solve problems as they arise. Try not to build everything up (I'm very guilty of this one!) to the point that everything feels unmanageable. You accomplish absolutely nothing doing this I have found. Take it one day and one step at a time.

Simple in theory, but can be difficult in reality. You are just one person. There is no way you can do it all and be it all at the same time and keep your sanity intact. You may need to call in a few favors here and there from friends and family that are supportive of you. A lot of us tend to be pretty hard on ourselves. We need a break and some help sometimes though. It's just being human.

Take one hour out of every day just for you. Try not to think of anything or anybody except for you. Pick an hour of the day when you are most likely to NOT be doing something. And try to keep that hour free for just you. Over time, you will begin to look forward to it everyday and you will see it as your little 'get away'. Do something you want in that hour. WHATEVER you want to do, but make it relaxing. Try to make it something that doesnt relate to a stressor in your life (ie-dont sit down and pay bills in this hour ). Here's something you might try:
-play with a pet
-take a short "power nap"
-take a bubble bath
-read a bubblegum book (nothing that takes too much brain power or thought )
-just sit and think with a cup of tea
-clean out a closet or a bedroom (that makes me feel billions better, weird huh?)
-listen to some music and dance around
-take a walk somewhere pretty and peaceful
-play a game with someone you love
-send a letter to someone
-go window shopping/shopping
-draw or write something
-find anyone (living, non living, human, or otherwise) who will listen and get out all your frustrations.

Just try to set aside one whole hour of no interuption and make it known that you are not to be disturbed. Keep that same hour for yourself everyday and make it a habit. good luck to ya!

The best long-term stress reliever I know is yoga. It teaches you how to remove troubling thoughts from your mind and calm yourself. It's good for breathing and the other systems of the body. Self-hypnosis also works well, if you're interested in that give me a shout and I'll tell you how to do it. Or you can get a book at the library or search on the net. Good luck, I wish you well. Catty (who is too relaxed already)

Clare, Not sure what kinda books you like, but here are some that are compelling, entertaining, and/or totally hilarious:

Creative non-fiction:
*The Liars' Club: A Memoir (Mary Karr)
*Cherry: A Memoir (Liars Club Part II, also by Mary Karr)
*Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Dr. Hunter S. Thompson)

Fiction:
*Bridget Jones' Diary (Helen Fielding)
*American Skin (Don De Grazia)
*She Comes Undone (Wally Lamb)

Non-fiction:
*Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America (Barbara Ehrenreich)

Let me know what you think!

I've heard a lot about this one:

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America (Barbara Ehrenreich)

I'm sure it will bring to light the truth of Made in America by Sam Walton.

That is my pick... Thank You Cris.

Here's something else you can do, clarebear: pray.
If you have an instant negative reaction to this, consider: you do not have to believe, or believe in anything. Address your prayer to the generic Higher Power, by whose grace you live and breathe. Lay out your problems and any plans you have to deal with the stress. Ask for help.

NOTE: Help may come or it may not. That's not the point. The point is, the more you do this, the less stressed you feel. At least it works for me.
Remember the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the wisdom to fix what I can and ignore what I can't, or something along those lines.

Catty (who has constant conversations with the HP, mostly consisting of demands for money, etc.)

I always remind myself that stressed spelled backwards is "desserts" -- that can't be a coincidence! So, if I'm REALLY stressed, I'll indulge with a small dish of ice cream!