Simple Request-- Need Help With Handling Stress

[Grama-Herc]

My life is currently full of way to much stress and it is taking its' toll on my tolerance level. My patience is getting extremely short and I am loosing my temper over the slightest little unimportant crap. Because of this-----I Need Help!

Anybody have an suggestion on how I begin to control this. Can't eliminate the stress right now. That is just not an option. Therefore, I need a med, a meditation , something to calm me down.

Anything. Drugs that work, something but need to calm down my inner screaming self

 

[cherryblossom]

If you can't eliminate the stress, can you walk away from it for a little while? Can you find a way to reduce it?

Excersice is a great stress reliever - walking, running, dancing, aerobics, cycling, swimming, gym, punching pillows (one of my favourites!). Otherwise you are looking at distraction techniques - such as watching a movie, cleaning the house, working in the garden, reading a book, going to the shops, meeting a friend, talking to a friend on the phone, playing a game, going to the cinema, cooking a meal etc etc. Or relaxation techniques - hot shower, warm bath, massage, aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, soothing music, deep breathing techniques. Or try doing something creative- baking, sewing, knitting, painting, singing, dancing, writing, drawing.

Medications are for anxiety are usually benzo's, which need to be prescribed, used only occasionally, and can be addictive.

 

[KP the nut]

I'm so sorry you are having a tough time.

All that CB has said. Listening to music or an audio book on headphones helped me, it blocks me off from the outside world.
Also breathing and counting eg in for 4 hold for 2 out for 4, I concentrate on that and it helps.

I also have a safe place that I have build and a really happy memory where my H is holding me whilst we stand and watch the stars.

Please know as well that there are people who care, who want to support.

(((HUGS))) if you will take them
KP

 

[cherryblossom]

I like the idea of the talking book to listen to.

I forgot to add pampering to the list -a relaxing bath with lovely scented bubbles, or candles, moisturising every inch of your body with a product that smells divine, a manicure, a pedicure, painting your nails, buying some new make up or using your old make-up to give yourself a make-over, get a hair cut, and/or colour (maybe a cheap temporary home colour), buy some new clothes, or scour the charity shops to find a bargain. Go out for an indulgent meal, or cook something indulgent, or just warm and comforting at home. Mix up a cocktail (alcoholic or not). Buy yourself some flowers, or just go for a gentle stroll in the countryside, surrounded by nature. Listen to the birds sing, or get the binocculars out and look for wildlife. Get some aromatherapy oils or a spray of your favourite perfume. When I go shopping, I go out without perfume then grab the Channel no 5 sample in a shop and give myself a free squirt! Curl up on the sofa with a blanket and chocolate (or whatever takes your fancy) and watch a feel good film. For me that's usually a kids film (Shreck, ice age, 101 dalmations, anything Disney, or Pixar), or a romantic comedy (Brigit Jones, 4 weddings, The Holiday).

I don't mean to overwhelm you with ideas, but you must already know what might work for you. I'm having a really stressful time right now, so I have to force myself to do nice things for me, otherwise I'll dwell on all the crap and wind up a blubbering mess. You have to find the strength from somewhere to mindfully dismiss the stress from your body and mind for a while. And just like everything else, it's not easy - but it can be done.

Also try new things - you might think aromatherapy, or indian head massage, or reflexology is a load of old rubbish - but unless you try, you never know. You might say I'm too old to go running, or too out of shape to go swimming, or that you 'can't' draw or paint, but open your mind to new possibilities, you never know, you might find something that you enjoy and helps with the stress.

 

[KP the nut]

I like the idea of the talking book to listen to.

I forgot to add pampering to the list -a relaxing bath with lovely scented bubbles, or candles, moisturising every inch of your body with a product that smells divine, a manicure, a pedicure, painting your nails, buying some new make up or using your old make-up to give yourself a make-over, get a hair cut, and/or colour (maybe a cheap temporary home colour), buy some new clothes, or scour the charity shops to find a bargain. Go out for an indulgent meal, or cook something indulgent, or just warm and comforting at home. Mix up a cocktail (alcoholic or not). Buy yourself some flowers, or just go for a gentle stroll in the countryside, surrounded by nature. Listen to the birds sing, or get the binocculars out and look for wildlife. Get some aromatherapy oils or a spray of your favourite perfume. When I go shopping, I go out without perfume then grab the Channel no 5 sample in a shop and give myself a free squirt! Curl up on the sofa with a blanket and chocolate (or whatever takes your fancy) and watch a feel good film. For me that's usually a kids film (Shreck, ice age, 101 dalmations, anything Disney, or Pixar), or a romantic comedy (Brigit Jones, 4 weddings, The Holiday).

Bliss, someone after my own heart. We need to learn to love ourselves, as the TV ad says - we are worth it.

 

[cherryblossom]

We are worth it! And stress doesn't just disappear. It's another one of those things that we have to work hard at - but this is one of the nicer things to work at - because it gives us an excuse to be nice to ourselves, induldge ourselves, and be kind to ourselves. The result is that we feel better about ourselves - that's got to be a good thing, right?

 

[amethist]

Don't forget that simple Aromatherapy can work wonders too. Added the link below, so you don't have to search for it.

[DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/aromatherapy-that-may-help-relieve-some-ptsd-symptoms.13571/#post-173468[/DLMURL]

Along with all CB has suggested, this could help you enormously.

Amethist