Stress - how do you deal with it?

[MrsWhirling]

I lead a pretty stressed life. I work full time, 2hr commute per day. Have two kids. Elderly parents, mum with cancer and I'm an only child. DD7 is challenging and it has taken me over an hour to get her into bed. I'm sitting here fuming, my hearts racing and I feel sick with that horrid stressed feeling. This is regular. How do you deal with stress? What do you do to stop yourself from tipping over into that total pit of stress? Thanks.

Waiting to hand hold (and see what good advice you get). I do get very stressed too (pressured job, young DD, husband that travels a lot).

Things that help me: exercise (even a tiny bit, latest thing I tried was c25k which is 25mins 3x a week), cutting down/out caffeine and alcohol, playing an instrument (distraction), making sure I get enough sleep (even if requires a trip to GP) and some CBT exercises I learnt when I got help for stress induced depression.

Hope things feel better for you soon.

Was going to say exercise. I run. Doesn't matter for how long/far. It's something just for you. It's very easy to reach for the wine glass/ciggie but it really won't help in the longer term. But exercise is something to do on a regular basis.
Do you mean the stress of a particular situation/occurrence/flash point? And how do you deal with the feelings then? I honestly have been known to go and stand in the shower and just have a little cry!!

Thank you. I don't drink or smoke, and I just about manage to squeeze in Davina 7minutes. Have no time or any to leave kids with to take longer exercise. I would love to join a gym though as always really enjoyed working out there. I do the cry in the shower thing too! I guess it's the enormity of everything I have to deal with in each day. Also have pressurised job and then trying not to be shouty mum when DD won't stay in bed for example. Sometimes my heart pounds so hard with stress I wonder how much more it would take to have a heart attack!!! Sounds very dramatic I know LOL!!

I find the trick to dealing with stress is to ensure I have some time that is set aside for me IYSWIM. I go to choir once a week (I find the breathing exercises we do during our warm-up help me when I'm stressed).

I agree with the consensus that exercise is good. Can you fit it into your working day? Even if it is just a 20 min walk during your lunch break.

Have you ever discussed with your doctor, OP? I was prescribed a beta blocker to help me manage anxiety, and it has really helped, especially with the racing heart and feeling that you can't cope.