I do have a lot of stressors from home, and work. I have tried to reduce my work load and take some time for me to eleminate or cope with my stressors. I have four kids, and three grandchild, one of my children is specail needs and will live with me and my husband for life. This adds a lot of stress or me and yet at the same time it means I will never have to go through the empty nest issue. While I do not have any great ways of coping with me stress on of the things that I do try is to find all the positives of any situation and think about them and not the negatives
What a great outlook Cynthia. Thanks for sharing. Yes, one thing is for certain. You will never be lonely. Wonderful approach to dealing with a tough situation.
I think that first I would make a list. Just identifying the stress can help ease it. I have also found in the past that excersizing helps a lot-sometimes I just forget this =)
I also always use my coworkers as a soundwall.
What I used to do was an hour or so of yoga and an hour of pilaties in the morning before breakfast and, occasionally, a nice walk in the evening to Chic-fil-a for some unsweet tea.
However, that routine quickly degraded between working full time, two cats, composition courses, and being in a relationship with a man who is essentially a cat.
The full time job has been eliminated so I can happily concentrate on my cats and composition course, but the damage has been done to the organization of the house and to the feline relationships. Once those very important areas become corrected, I will ** finally ** return to my yoga and pilatie routine. I miss it. /sniff.
Sounds like a tough situation Christina! Once we've experienced the benefits of great coping mechanisms, it's always a little sad when we have to give them up. Sounds like your schedule has opened up a little bit. You might use this time to gradually ease your way into your old routine again. Don't be afraid to start small.
It does work. I do it all the time. Just saying what troubles you out loud helps.
It seems very difficult to eliminate stressors. By making a list it would be easier to identify stressors that you might be able to get rid of. However, I liked the suggestions for the physical healthy coping mechanisms. Running three times a week wouldn’t only reduce stress, but can add to positive health. Breathing is of course important, and stretching feels good. The thing about this module is that it is giving us practical and “easy†ways of helping us reduce the stress, not just at work, but in our lives.
Just be a parent.....you will figure it out
the best way for me to deal with stress is to do something I enjoy doing for an hour each day to releve stress. I don't think about anything else and clear my mind.
I have started going to the gym five days a week after work.
I have noticed a great reduction in the effect stress has on my health.
I will try to talk to someone else about the stressors. I have started to take advantage of the gym membership; exercising at least 4 days a week has proven beneficial, mentally and physically.
Sounds like a great approach Katheryn. You are lucky to have an hour a day to spare. I'd love to learn more about the kinds of things you do during your hour to relieve stress. Sounds like they are really working for you!
Wonderful to hear Fedele. Sounds like you've just got to keep this up and you'll be on the right track. Great work!
I work-out. It takes effort to get started, but soon one finds that you thrive on it.
I know that sharing with others is a tension reliever, whether it is with family, friends, or even professionals (counselors). Just to have someone listen and qualify your concerns helps immensely. The trick is to not burn another out with every little thing that comes along. Also, pick your listener well because she/he may have something worse to lay on you, thus adding more stress. Most people though, are quite understanding and supportive.
So true Betty and I'm so glad you mentioned these things. The best venting requires the right audience and small doses. You don't want to vent to the wrong person or too much to the right person!
I agree Dale and I like the word 'thrive' in describing the feeling of getting hooked on a great workout! Once you get into a great exercise routine, it's hard to stop.
Exercise is great for my stress. I rode my bicycle today after work and it was great. I've also cut back on caffeine over the past few years and it has helped me be less anxious over the little things that we constantly deal with on an hourly basis. I enjoy the personal moments with the students much better; "I stop and smell the roses."
Since I am an instructor for an Advanced Health and Fitness program I am very aware of the health benefits of exercise. I have been exercising for as long as I can remember and that is how I currently deal with most of my stress. I would also like to incorporate some deep breathing methods and more yoga into my stress reduction routine.
Talking to those who have been through my current stressors are a great way to cope. Exercise also assists me quite a bit as well.
