Your suggestions for reducing chronic stress please…

[Farmhouse1234]

Just that - been juggling and struggling for a long time, years. Now I’m finding I can’t relax at all and there are no periods where I’m not stressed - even if logically I should be ok. Like a switch that won’t turn off.

so any tips you’ve found that work - small ones in particular - as fundamental changes like running away, giving up work etc not possible!

Delete SM and get back into the real world. Go for a walk, read a paper book.
SM stresses you without you seeing it.
And get some magnesium glycinate to take before bed.

I've been there. It sounds like a burnout. Assess your entire lifestyle and consider where you would want to be, what does good look like.then steps to change. This is likely yo impact your health.

Walk outside - or run - it sort of feels like running away even if you get home again

learn to breath slowly and focussed and concentrate on the breath ( find a yoga video - but 4 counts in and 4 counts out is a start - feel the bottom of your lungs expand )

I had a massively stressful time during covid. Things I found useful

20 mins of yoga at the end of a working day

Going to a nearby wood and just sitting in nature listening to the birds

Doing something practical/physical that requires all your concentration.

Doing something that physically exhausts you.

taking magnesium. It has chilled me out and improved my mood. I had no idea these were benefits when I started taking it, I was hoping it would improve sleep

Thank you all. Some good suggestions here. I’m taking multi vits already, but maybe I need to think about adding some extra vits. I’ve got some good books I need to get into - I’m doom scrolling too much. Lots of negative news. I’ve reduced some work hours - and hoping over time, this will help. I’m quite impatient and I think I need to accept it’s going to take some time to feel better. I reckon I’d need 6 months off - but that’s not gonna happen.

The things that genuinely help most are the things that sound too simple, and so people don’t bother.

Exercise
Sex
Fresh air and daylight
Drink water and eat enough vegetables
Breathing exercises
Read a book
Camomile tea
Catch up with a friend
Care for an animal
Do something physical enough that you sleep soundly
Do something creative (art, music …) so that your mind wonders to that instead of to what is causing the stress

Assess your time what are you doing? Can you re jig things
sleep- try to go to bed / get up at same time
sm- is it bringing you down?
eating/drinking habits- try to eat three healthy meals a day and drink 2-3 litres of water
yoga/ meditation/ mindfulness
magnesium, Vit d
therapy
gratitude diary

Therapy

Exercise
Healthy, comforting food
Sleep
Art/craft
Reading/writing
Routines
Meditation