How do you deal with stress?

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

Lots of minor stresses at the moment are really starting to get in top of me at the moment and I’m worrying due to previous MH anxiety issues.

I’ve been quite good with it all for about 3 months and could see myself seeing and dealing with things differently, more positively.

Now my nerves are hanging on by a thread and I’m trying to claw back a normal sense of how to deal with life’s ups and downs.

My sleep is starting to become erratic again.

I made a fuck up at work. (Nothing actually happened but it could have).

A few clients are finishing so I need to advertise for more business.

Having car trouble.

DH is waiting to hear back about an interview for a new job.

Dd is off on her first residential.

Cash flow issues at the moment.

Health isn’t amazing.

I think a good friend is fazing me out....(possibly all in my head)

How do you keep yourself on an even keel?

(So sorry that was long!)

Meditation helps me a lot, the Headspace app is a good starting point.

Have you tried the Calm app, that seems quite good? I’ve also been doing some colouring which DD downloaded on my iPad, that’s been quite distracting and relaxing. But I do empathise with you, it’s really horrible to feel the way you describe. You’re in my thoughts 💐

I run

And I use the headspace app to help with meditation

Exercise
Good diet
Lots of water and reduce alcohol and caffeine
Early nights
Reading books (getting absorbed in a rally good story stops my mind ruminating and from excessively worrying)
Listening to favourite music
Plan a small, inexpensive treat like coffee and cake out with a friend or whatever you would enjoy.
Get out in nature - brings my anxiety and stress levels down significantly.

Thank you all. You’ve probably suggested all the things I knew but don’t because of all the excuses I tell myself. Such as ‘I’ll exercise when I’ve lost some weight’

The work thing is my biggest issue, but I can’t do anything, will just have to wait for it to blow over. In the mean time I have a near constant headache. I slept ok but woke early, around 5am.

I have a day off today and I’m going to download that Headspace app and have a look. I think I need a lovely bath and yummy healthy lunch too. I’ve eaten Easter eggs all week!

Ah just found out DH didn’t get the job

Like a pp said reading is good as it forces you to not dwell on your problems constantly and you can get your brain to focus on the plot and characters when you start to stress. Getting out in the countryside too as problems seem somehow more manageable when you’re not in your own little bubble.

Day one

• Downloaded the headspace app and complete my first session (has made me feel really tired though, maybe I should do it closer to bedtime?)

• I have also started a book!

As an aside I have booked myself a hair cut. I haven’t been to the hairdresser’s for many many years and think I deserve it.

Try the guided meditations on YouTube. They are good for helping switching off.

Yoga, yoga & more yoga. Find a good class & do it for a few weeks, see if it helps. My guess is you'll never stop.

Well done on day one and I’m sorry to hear your DH didn’t get the job x

I agree, yoga is fantastic!

Good on you OP, I also find relaxation calming and reading takes your mind off things. Hope you enjoy your hair cut too.

Exercise: it’s not so much the exercise but 45 minutes to myself and my mind focused on cycling or weights means that it switches off whatever I might be worrying about

Exercise keeps me going - regular visits to a personal trainer, going for runs through the park with DH and having a treat - a massage.

Rest and exercise. Make them a priority

Prioritise rest first. When stressed we run in nervous energy and that's when our thoughts and thinking change. We over think, our problem solving is compromised and anxiety and negativity rule. A good rest sorts that out. You then need to rest little and often. Resting is a bit naff these days. It's considered lazy and wasteful of time. But actually it's great. It can change your life. Do it.