OT: Stress

Over the past 6 months I have utilized a MoviePass subscription.  It really helps with escaping reality for a couple hours and does not break the bank while doing so. Strongly recommend if movies are a breath of fresh air for you!

Fortnite and sex both do the trick for me. 

I went most of my life being able to have great stress relievers in my life. I had a freak health incident two years ago (severe heat exhaustion; very nearly a heat stroke). All of sudden I found myself with what felt like heart palpitations, shortness of breath and no longer had the confidence I had before. Normal life functions seemed more difficult. I found myself at work being very lightheaded and worried. Michigan was a great reliever because when I was in the moment I felt like my old self. However, I wasn’t. 

Prior to that incident my life was going extremely well. Just bought a new home and new car, my brother was getting married and I was about to get engaged. That fall (2016) I went through the ringer of tests on my body and heart. Nothing abnormal at all. My doctor believed I had generalized anxiety disorder. I was certain it was not that. I went a year battling these feelings. On the outside most people would have thought nothing was wrong, but those close to me knew that something was off. A year ago I finally took medication I was prescribed the previous fall. After about a month I started to feel a tad better. 

I sit here now in the airport coming home from my honeymoon and I can honestly say Lexapro has been a lifesaver. I feel better now than I have in years. I no longer feel anxious about everyday things. 18 months ago I never could have gotten on a plane and done all the spontaneous things my wife and I have done. 

Counseling, a strong support system, a solid faith foundation, and a little help from medication has made the world of differences. A year ago I could have only dreamed to feel this at ease.

I try to keep a level head about things.  Big problems don't bother me one bit.  The bigger the problem, the easier the resolution - big picture stuff.  But little, mundane, pointless things that people desire tend to drive me up a wall (TPS Reports, standing in a line of morons, er - people, to checkout at the grocery store, etc).  The Navy taught me that I can only fix the things in my control - and I can largely decide what that control sphere is.  If it means something to me, I address it.  If it really doesn't affect the big picture I'm centered in, I let it be to the point possible.

HAHAHAHA. 

Dude, in all seriousness, M Football is one of my greatest stressors in life. I rarely enjoy watching the games. I spend most of them in dread, even when we are winning. 

I have Philippians 4:6-7 as my wallpaper on my phone. Maybe this wouldn't help someone who isn't a person of faith but it has helped me tremendously. 

The single best thing you can do to relieve stress is stay away from the internet. I don't just mean the social media cesspool, that goes without saying. I mean everything. Just unplug for a couple days and take the dog for a long walk and see how much it helps not to be bombarded by information and opinions all day long.

Jai-ya

https://youtu.be/A28V1siYO1g

Can we embed with the new board? If so can someone update the FAQ please - the primer is MIA

Watching Golf on a Sunday afternoon, drinking a Labatt Light.  Great stress reliever!

I just kick my dogs and beat my wife. Nah,  I'm just kidding,  i could never hurt my dogs. 

Water.   I like to stare at, be near, be in, be on, and hear the sound of water.    Sun reflecting off a northwoods lake.   A babbling brook.   Lolling in a boat while waves gently lap at the sides.   Water is my stress elixir.   It is the one common mind-cleansing denominator in my life.

Bong Hits?

For me, spending time with my lovely wife & dog just chillin' is always good.  If my 2 young adult sons are around, even better.

After that, riding my motorcycle.  Not here in Metro Detroit, but up north, where the traffic is light & the roads are 2 lanes. Something about getting into the wind at a comfortable speed is extremely therapeutic.  

Some good comments in here so I won’t be redundant. I’ll only add that the concept of deep work helps me with stress. Spending time 100% focused on a single activity, absolutely distraction free, is a huge benefit for me. Things like meditation, mentioned by others, is an obvious example. Some I partake in include snowboarding, rock climbing, reading scholarly articles in new fields in a room with no distractions (not even music). 

I think the distracted life we’re living is a major driver of unhappiness/stress. Fully focusing, even in shorter bursts, is a partial solution. 

Hey man, hopefully everything is OK.  I’ve had a pretty bad experience or two with stress and anxiety.  I’ve learned that reducing caffeine and doing my very best to get good rest has made the biggest difference.  The other advice that has worked for me is cardio.  I was doing a little more weight lifting and less cardio.  That didn’t seem to help.  A psychologist recommended that I try more cardio.  That seems to help.  I sincerely hope you’re ok.  I’ve been there and it is a real tough problem to solve.  

I've suffered from generalized anxiety disorder since birth, it seems. I've been silent about it up until recently. Mental health is just as important as bodily health and the stigma needs to go away.

Anyway, I've tried a few medications and none of them really did the trick, (besides Xanax, but that's a dangerous drug for me) so I tried CBD oil a few months ago. Let me tell you, it does the trick. It's expensive, and you'll hear conflicting reviews, but personally, it's made the world seem a little less closed in.

Besides Michigan football, fishing is my passion and my ultimate drug of choice to relive my anxiety. Remember to breathe, man. Nothing is ever as bad (or as good) as it may seem in your head.

To me, worrying a lot is different from stress. Stress is in response to something and worrying a lot is anticipating something that hasn't happened yet. My son is a super worrier, which is stressful for me. He has learned how to manage it somewhat by trying to stay in the present moment rather than fretting about what might happen a year from now. For me, stress relief comes from doing things I enjoy: hanging with my cats, who are ridiculously cute and entertaining; looking at real estate on the internet (I like to see how the super wealthy live, so I look at the $50,000,000.00 houses on Zillow); and I love to go food shopping at ethnic markets. Watching Michigan football is nowhere on the list. 

Deep breaths. Nothing is THAT big of a deal in the grand sceme if things. Some bourbon and a cigar in the evenings can do wonders.

Smoking a nice joint always helps

Lots of what other people have said but also prayer, listening to music (particularly tunes I can belt out,) being with people who make me laugh.  Actually, laughing in general, watching a funny movie, TV show etc. (Side-bar-- there are a lot of regular posters on this blog who regularly crack me up, it's one of the reasons I like this blog.) 

Michigan football causes me a lot of stress, but also a lot of enjoyment so it's a trade-off. 

Mostly I just try to realize that for all the stress, trouble, etc. life is beautiful!)

Accept the fact that people and times can be difficult.  Expect difficulties.  Breathe in to 5 count and breathe out to a 5 count.  Whatever the count, the same count in and the same count out.

Fishing.

What a beautiful thing.

Personally I find watching UM football stressful, especially the past IDK 10 effin years or so.  But, good ways to relieve stress are exercise, time with pets, reading, getting outside even if just for a walk, meditation is great too.  Meditation doesn't have to be anything complicated other than sitting in a quiet area for a few minutes, breathing, and working on clearing your mind, which is impossible, but just trying is what counts. 

My stress reduction plan is quite simple, but I guess it sounds long and hard if you're not used to it.  I start my day with a little bit of reading while I have my morning coffee before work.  Reading about positive things, not the news or work stuff.  It helps clear my mind so I don't get to work already stressed about work.  DO NICE THINGS FOR OTHERS!  It's not for them it's for you.  It feels good & keeps you from getting caught up in the rat race.  Let someone else in traffic.  Purposefully go behind the car next to you instead of in front of them.  Buy the person their coffee in the drive through behind you.  Simple little stuff.  Go to work & do your job to the best of your ability, then leave it at work once the day is over.  From work go straight to exercise.  I prefer the gym to lift, but if you want to go for a run, walk your dog, play some tennis, whatever you like but you must use your body.  Go home and spend some time with you loved ones.  Try not to drink too much alcohol, too much caffeine, or eat too much junk.  A little of all of them are fine.  Do whatever you enjoy or have to do around the house in the evening.  Turn off all devices and dim your lights in your place an hour before bed.  Get into bed 20 minutes before you try to sleep and listen to some soothing music and do a short meditation.  Then go to sleep for at least 7 consecutive hours.  That's how I do it at least 4 days per week.

You do the right things, my man. I would also suggest meditation (I'm sure someone has mentioned it already). Sit cross-legged on the floor back straight, get into some rhythmic breathing and try to clear your mind. Every thought that comes to you, just bat it away.  I do this now when I can't sleep and it works like a charm - I conk out immediately. 

One might even argue that golf is a form of meditation (I fully believe this). Don't take it seriously and just enjoy being out there and hititng the ball and the challenge of the game.  After a round, I usually feel like a weight has been lifted. I might quit though cuz I think its making me anti-social.

And I would say if you're feeling stressed, you should cut back on booze. I feel like it builds up depressants in your system and prevents you from getting good sleep. Overall it makes me more nervous and stressed. I'm preparing to dry out hard for the next few weeks.  I'm going through some shit right now myself so I'm trying to be healthy and I think that's helping me keep my head above water, working for now.

I highly suggest meditation. The headspace app is popular and for good reason. There are a ton of preconceptions about meditation, but the truth is that there is solid scientific evidence for its efficacy. Also, it's compatible with the mgogodless and mgofaithful alike.

I also suggest gardening. Green plants have a calming effect.

Creative outlets can also be helpful.  Its hard to get in the frame of mind for it but I like to write and it has relaxed me at times.  My buddy likes to jam on the guitar a little, always says that calms him down.