To Ask You Your Ways of Coping with Stress

[AnaViaSalamanca]

So it's official - I am very stressed and it is affecting my health (not going into details, but the doctors have told me to seriously reduce the stress). Job is kind of stressful, but I cannot quit it or change it. I have done a bit of counselling and CBT, but to no avail. They keep saying reduce your stress, but nobody tells me how.

How does everyone do it?

Marlboro lights have always worked well for me, washed down with a nice cold glass of plonk or 3!

Wine 😫

Self care is like putting on your own oxygen mask on a plane before helping others - you have to look after yourself to be able to cope with everyone else’s demands. It’s not indulgent or a waste of time.
Looking back; I’m realising that as my stress levels built up I stopped caring for myself. Which made it all worse. I’m still struggling with a bullying coworker but I feel so much better in myself for focusing on me a little.

I also do a very stressful job.

I find contact with nature very helpful. A walk in a forest is ideal, but even getting into the garden helps.

Also spreading my annual leave out throughout the year so I have regular breaks.

thereinmadnesslies I really like your explanation; "Self care is like putting on your own oxygen mask on a plane before helping others - you have to look after yourself to be able to cope with everyone else’s demands. It’s not indulgent or a waste of time. "

That's lovely!