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Stress relief - 9/20/2011 8:58:20 AM   
myotherself


Posts: 7157
Joined: 3/9/2006
From: The cold bit of the UK
Status: offline 		Recently I've been through some really rough times and in the last couple of weeks have been heading for depression. This has multiple causes, but mainly the long illness and recent death of my dad.

Now those of you who have seen me around cm will know that I don't give in that easily. I have the required medical help and grief counselling referral, but I will not take medication. It has been offered, but I do not want to go that route unless it's absolutely necessary.

So to help myself to recover I have tried to make some positive life changes. I have finally agreed with my doctor to take some time off work to allow myself to heal. I am addressing the issue of my weight (which has gone up waaaay too much this year, mostly since my dad started to get really ill last Christmas) through diet and a daily exercise routine (I have joined a gym and am exercising at home).

I have given up caffeine and alcohol and I'm eating a diet pretty much devoid of red meat - focussing instead on fish and vegetarian foods. No refined sugars, no bread...just brown pasta and rice and lots of delicious homemade sauces, along with fresh fruit and veg.

But here's where you come in - do you do anything to make yourself feel better and more positive about life when things get a bit rocky? It may be food, it may be a drink, a change in routine, whatever. I'm looking for ideas to support and expand my own regime, and to be honest I've exhausted my own inspiration.

Your suggestions would be valued and appreciated

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:05:16 AM   
ricken


Posts: 261
Joined: 1/11/2010
Status: offline 		For me it bicycling, nice low-impact work out, some alone time, and a great way to see things you don't usually get to see when your driving.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:07:35 AM   
myotherself


Posts: 7157
Joined: 3/9/2006
From: The cold bit of the UK
Status: offline 		I hadn't thought of that. I have a bike in the shed somewhere. Maybe I should dig it out and get moving

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:08:44 AM   
littlewonder


Posts: 15659
Status: offline 		Pray
Take a walk or go hiking
Do something fun for me and me alone
Shop
Watch a stupid movie, something that's not deep or drama laced...just funny,stupid, mindnumbing
Indulge myself in a homemade cannoli at the local Italian pastry shop
Have lunch or dinner with my daughter
Listen to some fun upbeat music
Go away somewhere for awhile, a small vacation or daytrip. Doesn't have to be fancy or anything...just somewhere other than where I am.

Those things don't always work but most of the time they at least help to alleviate my depression at least for a little while.





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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:10:01 AM   
ricken


Posts: 261
Joined: 1/11/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: myotherself

I hadn't thought of that. I have a bike in the shed somewhere. Maybe I should dig it out and get moving


There ya go....most people have a bike and don't use them much

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:10:29 AM   
MadAxeman


Posts: 4171
Joined: 8/28/2008
From: UK
Status: offline 		I drink to excess in the dark.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:11:24 AM   
myotherself


Posts: 7157
Joined: 3/9/2006
From: The cold bit of the UK
Status: offline 		jasmine or camomile tea...better for you

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:17:05 AM   
MadAxeman


Posts: 4171
Joined: 8/28/2008
From: UK
Status: offline 		I tried them, but I stayed sober.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:28:04 AM   
ProlificNeeds


Posts: 1061
Joined: 5/19/2007
Status: offline 		As stupid as it sounds, positive thinking. I don't mean in the 'jump start your career' kinda way. I often suffer from depression, but also refuse medications, instead I attack the direct causes that make the depression worse. One of the things I find is I tend to dwell on negative memories or experiences. They make you want to be sad, bummed. Everytime I catch myself thinking of a negative memory or emotion, I force myself to think of a positive event that I felt really good about. To dwell on that. even think about doing it again sometime soon.

Outside of changing the way you think, I find a routine of 'work and reward' keeps me up too, meaning, if I go do a long walk and jog, it keeps me busy, and when I finish I also feel I deserve a reward! I veg out and watch a movie or have an evening where I shut off the phone and soak in the tub while I ignore the world. I also tend to reward myself with food items I normally do not allow myself, but that falls into 'comfort eating' and should be discouraged if you're working on your physical health and weight.
If you can afford it treat yourself to a trip to the hair dresser, or a manicure or pedicure, even a massage as rewards.

Lots of sleep. If I'm tired, everything seems a hundred times worse, I get frustrated and down a lot easier. If you don't sleep well the night before, indulge in a nap if you have the time, or try to get your sleeping schedual on track if it's frequently interupted.

Stress comes from a lot of places, and identifying where yours comes from beyond the depression is important too, being able to minimize whatever makes you stressed, or, if it's unavoidable (like work) finding ways to counter the stress before it builds up too much, is ideal. Prevention, over damage control, is always preferable when possible.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:31:58 AM   
ProlificNeeds


Posts: 1061
Joined: 5/19/2007
Status: offline 		Forgot to add the best of all!

Reading books or playing video games ;) great way to 'get out of your head' for awhile and forget about everything that's bugging you!

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 9:41:07 AM   
myotherself


Posts: 7157
Joined: 3/9/2006
From: The cold bit of the UK
Status: offline 		thank you - a great deal of food for thought

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 10:42:42 AM   
MstrDennynSlave


Posts: 181
Joined: 9/6/2007
Status: offline 		Writing down my thoughts helps me. I will write down what has made me depressed or sad. I can't often write anything positive at first that would help get me out of the depression. But I write everyday that I'm depressed and as the days go by, I find I'm able to put down things that would help bring me out the depression. Not anything major, but little things, like my granddaughers giggle when she has pulled one over on her Mom. Maybe looking for pretty birds or wildlife in the area. I also talk a lot to my dog. He listens with rapt attention to my rantings and still loves me.........lol.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 10:50:53 AM   
MadAxeman


Posts: 4171
Joined: 8/28/2008
From: UK
Status: offline 		If the blues are on me, I make sure that the first thing I see every day is my Fender Stratocaster.
I can also fight back by picking it up.
Any cherished item can perform this function, as can photographs, music, favourite scents. These are all triggers that can alter your surroundings in a subtle and subliminal way.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 10:59:28 AM   
myotherself


Posts: 7157
Joined: 3/9/2006
From: The cold bit of the UK
Status: offline 		At the moment my dogs are what keeps me going. They need me to look after them, so I have to get out of bed, get dressed, walk them, feed them. And in return I get loads of cuddles and love.

I am writing, but I'm writing a book at the moment. It's giving me a chance to 'escape' into someone else's world every now and then.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 11:41:56 AM   
Hillwilliam


Posts: 19394
Joined: 8/27/2008
Status: offline 		I grab a flyrod and head for the river.

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Whoever said "Religion is the opiate of the masses" never heard Right Wing talk radio.

Don't blame me, I voted for Gary Johnson.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 7:42:58 PM   
mummyman321


Posts: 2102
Joined: 10/31/2005
From: Dusseldorf
Status: offline 		For me it is kayaking. For whatever reason when I kayak I tune out the rest of the world and enjoy the scenery. I totally forget about work and all the other crap I need to get done and just concentrate on the moment.

So pick a passion you really enjoy and fully immerse yourself into and let go.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/20/2011 8:10:33 PM   
wandersalone


Posts: 4666
Joined: 11/21/2005
Status: offline 		Meditation is fantastic, even just 15 minutes a day

This is a great time to take stock of your life - review your dreams and goals and values and ensure that when you are at the end of your life that you won't be thinking "I wish I had done ..." 

Ensure you don't isolate yourself

and keep on doing what you are doing bunny

love and hugs to you

xxxx



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RE: Stress relief - 9/21/2011 5:27:10 AM   
MissImmortalPain


Posts: 2440
Joined: 4/1/2011
Status: offline 		Bunny I would love to give you the best answer in the world...but I can't. I would love to just go with sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll....but that won't work either. I try and do what makes me happy most of the time so when things come up, as they have a lot lately, I don't really do anything different. A lot of people have asked me as of late why I'm not overly depressed. Lost loved ones, lost a limb, almost died(more than once) All I can tell them is what I have thought for years. There is always someone out there who is going through more than I am. I would suggest finding them and having a conversation or two. Seek out those that know what is happening to you. Having someone to talk to about it can be the best thing in the world to make you feel better about yourself. Remind yourself of your own worth and that everyday you breath, no matter how bad things are, it beats the alternative.

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We must all go through a right of passage,and it must be physical, it must be painful,and it must leave a mark.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/21/2011 5:49:49 AM   
JanahX


Posts: 3443
Joined: 8/21/2010
Status: offline 		Hang out with good friends.

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RE: Stress relief - 9/23/2011 9:24:16 PM   
dovie


Posts: 1211
Status: offline 		Bunny, I'm here with you and have started some of the same things you have done (looks at bike leaning on massage table) ~smiles~

Bunny, I started rituals for myself. I bought vanilla candles and delicious incense. I bought a tea set with the teapot, the cream and sugar and even the little tea holders and lots of green and beautiful teas.  I give myself  meditation and prayer as I'm waking up and Native Americal flute music to meditate and pray by before I go to sleep. I bought some Caress and Dove soap and a wonderful lotion to use on my skin.

It's the little things. I actually bought myself flowers... Hugs and lubba blessings I speak on you.

dovie

< Message edited by dovie -- 9/23/2011 9:25:21 PM >

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