OT: Stress
Hi everyone. I have learned quite a bit lately about stress and how bad it is for you. In fact 90% of all Illness can be attributed to stress.
Nothing relieves stress for me like a Fall Saturday when I can watch Michigan play. Besides those saturdays, which unfortunately are only about 12 days a year, I watch movies, play video games, exercise, golf (only able to go about 10 times a year) and go to church (only go about once a month) to relieve stress. I love to read, but that is one of the things I can’t focus on when I’m stressed. Worrying is my biggest issue and I really have been trying to get over that cause I know it’s awful for me.
After learning how bad stress is and knowing that we all deal with it, I was curious what everyone does to relieve stress other than watch Michigan. Also any tips on reducing worry would be interesting as well. Saying things that you do that actually cause more stress or illness won’t help anyone, but I’m sure the community will enjoy the humor.
I hope everyone’s having a good week. Peace out.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! AHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AH! Ah.
Drink lots of water. Learn to meditate and clear the mind, and practice this daily. Sleep as much as possible. Learn to not worry about things out of your control. Love yourself more than anyone else could. Be organized in your life and your thoughts.
BTW visual stimulants like video games, cell phones in general, and even t.v. actually create anxiety/stress. If I pick up a controller for some xbox or something I generally cant settle my brain down enough to sleep for about an hour and a half. Things that you think might calm you down might actually do the opposite.
Everything you need to know about sleep. I am now trying to change my life around to get the 7-9 hrs of sleep needed.
Stress is terrible. But 90 percent of illness isn’t stress related. That’s pseudoscientific nonsense.
Stress is terrible. But 90 percent of illness isn’t stress related. That’s pseudoscientific nonsense.
This is a very gray area. While stress is not known to be the direct and proximate cause of illness, it is well known to be a contributing factor, by making one more susceptible to disease. It affects the immune system, as well as the cardiovascular system and the digestive system. So, while I would not argue that stress causes athlete's foot, I would certainly argue that it increases the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and numerous other conditions. There's really no need to argue over the 90% number; but you can be sure that stress is a major contributing factor to a host of illnesses, both physical and, even more so, mental.
Awesome piece, what sort of video games are you into?
You forgot the s/ ....... NCAA 14.
right. Denard Robinson was a glitch in that game
If I want to avoid stress altogether, the last thing in the world I'm going to do is watch Michigan football, regardless of who we're playing.
Watching soccer is the exact opposite for me—it puts me in a blissful, drowsy state that's very similar to unconsciousness.
ahaha I feel you on that. between football and march madness I think stress from those two have taken 10 years off my life.
Yeah... I tend to pace up and down, move to different seats, and flip off the opposing teams through the TV. Watching Michigan football is anything but stress free! Especially when its a big game, or one that is too close... Same with ball, to a somewhat lesser extent - except when the tourney is in play.
After being a fan for almost five decades, I've learned to only watch the games at home, and by myself. Never ever in public.
At those stressful moments during a game, I tend to blurt comments that are not appreciated by the world at large. Things like "That spot was wrong!" and "Where the hell is the flag?" and "Will you please take that stupid Pepcat package and shove it up your ass! Everybody knows who's getting the ball! It's not fooling anybody!"
Only I say them with much more volume and vehemence and vulgarity. And they tend to frown on that at Buffalo Wild Wings.
I watch baseball for relaxation. MLB Tonight is great, too. I can't watch soccer and only enjoy football when my team is playing (which is not relaxing).
I can't tell you how many bad days I've had that were washed away by a simple 90 minute baseball practice. I coach my son and have so much fun working with the boys and watching them get better.
I've learned that the same mistakes they make I can see on MLB Tonight highlights, so I don't get too worked up when they miss a grounder or make a bad throw.
My other relaxation trick is to turn on one of my 300+ song Spotify playlists, get a cigar, and sit outside for an hour.
I was going to say, Michigan's offensive line problems have caused me more stress over the past couple years than anything except maybe my parents' health problems.
I said "maybe."
Michigan football is hands down the most stressful aspect of my life.
Michigan football is for floor pacing. Bob Ross is for stress relieving.
Is it possible to have too many happy little trees in your world? I think not.
I had the same thought about stress and UM football. Hell those games will stress me when we are playing. I have gotten to a point where I don't let them bother me when they are over, even a bad loss. But during the game I am into it and cheering and stressing about the game.
I have taken to watching the games in my basement away from my kids. If the game is stressful enough, which is many of them recently, I get on the treadmill during them game. I figure if my heart rate is going to be up anyway, I might as well get some benefit from it.
My problem was the Wings playing in the Western Conference playoffs. 10pm start, 3-2 game in the third...game over at 1...but trying to calm down to sleep after the last 5 minutes of a 1 goal playoff hockey game is like trying to put a baby down with the vacuum cleaner and the lights on.
Great advice, thanks for posting.
Mt mantra for stress at work "They can fire you but they can't kill you". Stress is self inflicted in my case so I try to put things in perspective.
My stress mainly comes from work. I know I put a lot of the stress on myself because I want to do a good job and hate to disappoint. I like my products to look good and work and feel embarrassed when there is a failure. The other part of the stress is the fact that the company way over promises and under staffs my projects so the responsibility falls to me to make it happen.
I had a motto that worked for me a lot in college and my first few jobs. "Things work out for me." and this let me not worry about a lot of life. The motto works not in the way of winning stuff or being super athletic or super smart, but in general, things have worked out for me. I've always had a job. I've done well at those jobs. I got into Michigan, I did ok at Michigan. I found a wife, I have a house. I need to focus more on this, because in general, things aren't worth the worry or stress, because in the end, things will work out.
Having three young boys is stressful too, but that's a whole different thing.
I like to rub warm cocao butter on my fun bits and pretend my roommates are rodeo horses and my name is Kevin with H. so . . . Khevin. I'd say what worries them is also this.
Do you wear chaps?
assless chaps. Or are they always assless? I'd only want assless anyways, but just wondering
I actually had a conversation about this the other day. Chaps are always assless, otherwise they're simply pants. Calling them "assless chaps" is redundant, like "studip bucknuts."
Ha! I spelled stupid wrong. I'm not that bright either.
*stoopid
How do you warm the butter? Microwave or stove?
Where koalas roam, the butter is always warm.
This is also an euphemism, but I'm not sure for what.
Microwave 5 seconds at a time
Serenity Now
+1 My thoughts exactly.
No, 90% of all illness can absolutely not be attributed to stress. That is just incorrect.
I work out, I drink beer, I watch TV shows/Movies that I like, and I engage in romantic activities with my very attractive wife. Pretty normal stress relievers, but they do the trick for me.
Gotta use up all your magnums.
Mrs. MantisToboggan is Mexican, so I have to stay ready to plow
Do you have your wads of 100's also?
You know it bitch
What he said.
Hmm... I need to try all of that.
What's your wife's phone number?????
Michigan football is not a stress-free hobby by any stretch of the imagination. Just look at the board last week, how stressed out people were by recruiting stuff in the darkest point of the offseason.
Michigan football is fun and rewarding, but it doesn't "relieve stress."
I would take issue with the "90%" figure. I don't believe there's any evidence for it, and quite a bit of evidence against. Still, stress can be difficult.
How do I deal with it? Well, I'm not perfect. But I try to limit my stress intake. For one, I don't watch tv news networks, because those are designed to get you upset; so is talk radio, and a fair amount of partisan social media as well. Its whole purpose is to raise your stress and anger level to keep you coming back. It is possible to be informed and have an opinion without constantly getting cued into a frothing rage, and I highly recommend it.
For two, I try to spend time with my family. When I'm doing fun (or even just pleasantly meaningless) stuff with my wife & kids life just gets better. I find myself smiling more, and I feel good about it afterwards.
For three, I do try to find things that I enjoy that have nothing to do with work or life. Different hobbies for different people. But it's something I can do alone or with someone that's just carefree and fun. Even an hour or two of time just doing that is a help.
My #1 key, though? My relationship with [topic considered verbotten on Mgoblog but closely relates to my occupation]. It's everything. Through every valley of life, through every challenge greater than myself. Nothing more important.
I agree 100%!
Amen to the #1 key. I've been struggling for a few months because I haven't been pursuing it. It's so easy to let ambition for earthly things to take hold and forget what I need most.
I'll say it for you...Our relationship with JESUS. You are giving an honest response to an honest question...nothing verbotten about that. It's not even about "Religion". It's about having an actual relationship with the King of the Universe. In my life, there is no greater stress-reliever than "Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." You can call it crazy all you want (like I used to), but until you experience the peace for yourself...it will change your life.
Hey, dude. Whatever floats your boat. I've tried them both, and for me masturbation works a lot better than Jesus to relieve my stress.
Well said.
God's not real.