What are your tips for relieving stress?

Control the stuff you can control. Stressful job? Then I work longer hours and get that to do list shorter. I find a way to manage emails so I don't get inundated etc.

Nature.
Music.
Breathing.

Sorry to hear you're going through so much at the moment OP.

I'm currently v stressed too but through my work I discovered just today that I have access to various wellbeing stress programmes. I've just started something called 'space from stress' on SilverCloud today which is apparently based on CBT.

I'm not sure what work you do of course, but does it provide anything like that or maybe access to counselling etc?

Has anyone tried accupuncture before for stress? Does it help?!

Sure fire things to calm me a bit:

• a walk, alone, in nature
• cutting out coffee, even temporarily
• turning off devices, no social media
• some time alone with a book
• gentle yoga
• gardening (counts as stress relief because the list of jobs gives me stress, even doing one makes me feel vaguely adequate)

Sorry you're having a hard time. I hope there's a bit of relief for you soon.

I’m sorry, I’ve got to ask - is this an AI post? It reads like one and I’m curious.

Rain music gets me to sleep.
Laura Mitchell relaxation (simple and used by the army now I believe).
Lighting candles.
Always having a weekend away booked to look forwards to.
Brisk walks in the fields.
Sitting watching the birds for 20mins.
Watching the sunset or sunrise.

Thank you, I'll look this up on you tube, I'm feeling very overwhelmed with health anxiety and am absolutely desperate to get rid of it.

Agree with exercise being the best thing.

For me being near water or nature so I would head to the woods or beach to clear my head.

Also, sex helps.

My faith - prayer, scripture, meditation
Time with family - hanging out, chatting, etc
Listening to podcasts while pottering around the house or driving
Time outdoors every day
Hot showers/baths
Regular back massage
White noise when going to sleep
Ashwaghanda supplement
Practising the physiological sigh (see this by Andrew Huberman on YouTube) when I feel anxiety physically overwhelming me

I think it can vary but I'm getting better at recognising what will help on any given day now. Usually its either a dog walk with podcasts or a book on, music on loud in car and driving somewhere I can have nice food or a lovely view/take dog, sketching with pens or doodling, trying to fill a bag for charity or the bin, gardening in the sun - planting bulbs in pots and de-weeding/dead-heading or going for a walk and chat with friends (that last one is great and I need to plan more of those as I always feel much lighter).

Self care - hot bubble bath, face mask, paint my nails, blow dry my hair etc anything that makes me feel good about myself.
A walk in nature/the countryside

Attending service on Sunday is a relief for me. I don't have to pay attention to anything or anyone for an hour or so.
A good cup of tea. I always keep a luxus brand for myself then needed.
Knitting to an audio book.
A walk at the beach, a trip to the swimming pools or cinema. Alone.

I can't unwind by doing nothing. If I'm stressed I absolutely cannot just sit down and watch something. My favourite way of zoning out is to clean out a cupboard or a closet/wardrobe. I put on some music, take absolutely everything out, go through it, and then reorganise. By the time I'm done I feel a lot better.

Pilates. My class is in the evening and during the warm up the teacher encourages us to lie still and really focus on our breathing.

Solo cinema trips. Totally focussed on something other than whatever I'm stressed about.

Jigsaws with a good podcast.

Long walks with favourite comedies on ear buds. Cabin Pressure, Clare in The Community. Such clever, silly comedy that sort of makes everything ok...if only for a bit.

Im another stressy person who doesn't enjoy an afternoon on the couch. I just get more anxious! I was ill recently and had a few days on the couch and i actually enjoyed it as i was ill and couldn't do anything and i realised this is how normal folk who dont get anxious, relax!

Only thing that really works for me is a regular night away. Once a month ideally, a night in a cheap hotel away from home and a day out, good walk, eating out, few drinks….

I’ve started to explore the idea of extreme days out, going a lot further for the day or a night away and think I am actually going to give it a go soon.

Mine is just work stress but it is all consuming.

Watching with interest as a chronically anxious/stressy person. I really identify with the poster above who doesn't find 'chilling on the sofa' relaxing (unless I'm unwell). Especially now I have a desk job where I'm sitting down far too much. I struggle with exercise but feel so much better when I manage to do it.

Outdoors in nature.

Sorry your having a shit time xx

Things that keep me a little more balanced.

Exercise currently 4 spin sessions, 1 bootcamp, two weight based and 1 HIIT class. I've decided to sign up for a 5k run in the summer so currently teaching myself to run.

I only drink when I go out with friends as it sets off my low mood usually.

Balanced diet

Keeping to a skincare routine

Regular hair colour as i look drained as it fades

I allow myself a few hours on the couch watching rubbish or reading. I'm not good at relaxing.

3 hot baths per week with bath salts

I drink a lot of water as I get sluggish

Love a walk near the sea. We are lucky where we live we can access easily. Alternatively country parks etc

Aromatherapy (DIY - started with Aromatherapy for Dummies and have picked stuff up over the years)
Calm app
CBD

I think it is different for different people. My family are always encouraging me to “slow down, relax, spend a day chilling on the sofa, watch a movie, take a bath” but those things don’t work for me.

For me personally, exercise works much, much more than anything else. After that …cold water (ideally the sea - even for a paddle!), orgasm, gardening (cliched but true, although it needs to be with bare feet in the grass, bare hands in the soil), fresh cold air and a long view with sounds of nature (so remote beach/hill/mountain).

Good luck OP. I hope it gets better.

My DS’s are my main source of stress. I hide in my car and chain smoke.
Sorry, not very helpful I know and sorry you’re going through so much shit.