How to de-stress

[Smallprof]

I am worried about the long term effects of stress/anxiety for myself and what it could do to my health. My son has severe challenging behaviour so life is very stressful.

What do you do to de-stress?

Hi smallproof,
We two have children with very challenging behaviour (ds1 AS and DAMP, ds2 atypical autism/AS) and a ds3 who is nt but who knows exactly what he wants and not shy to let you know :)

A year ago I was at my wit's end and very close to suffering a nervous breakdown. I just could not go on like that. Luckily my life is much more enjoyable again now. A major factor has been the amount of support we have been allocated at home. But I now also now go to the gym at least 3 times a week. To me it works wonders. Also dh and I have agreed to give each other a day off every couple of months. Dh usually goes on a day hike somewhere, I meet up with people. It makes us feel normal again and feels sooo good.

I found that it is so easy to think about your own well being when looking after children with SN. I used up all my energy to care for them and put all support on place, get dx etc and never stopped to think what I could do to recharge my own batteries.

This is a very good thread I went to a carers day last week and we did a laughter workshop which was great and there is a laughter club near us. We also had a singing session which was good.

One person suggested going to your local college and you can get cheap massges and beauty therapies.

I would love to get some more ideas.

brisk walking to somewhere and then wandering about with my camera...taking in lovely surroundings....
back home for a bath and short pampering...load up photos and save the ones you like...changing my screen saver to my fav of the day out...

PJs and book and catching up on recorded series I like and ffwd the horrible ad's so I just enjoy my progs, etc....

add lurking here and adding my tuppence worth to post's....

and putting songs on and singing at top of voice!!!

To be honest I de-stress by taking DS where we are both not stressed :)

Beach being a top priority as its space, fresh air and I can have a latte and chill watching over DS from a distance usually doing his own thing up to waist in water or drawing pictures all over the sand.

Soft play is great as he is free to roam and I can again mull over a mag and a coffee to my hearts content with the occasional walk around to check things over.

Spur of the moment car journeys are calming for DS he likes being in the car.

Oh and I just bought Desperate Housewives series 1 to 7 to watch in the evenings with eldest DD who got hooked on the last one. So choccs, coffee, fluffy dressing gowns and slippers nights for us once everyone gone to bed :)

I go for loud songs too and also theraputically hacking the garden or painting a fence even if it doesnt need it

hahahaha...theraputic hacking of garden!!!...I'm visualising this....have your neighbours witnessed this mental state you describe?.....lol..love it!!

my DS always chatters and says all sorts whilst we are in the car....it's often where he will manage to tell me things and recall things....esp. things that have happened and left him upset or wondering about....interesting your DS enjoys the car too

I help to run a Guide group. Sometimes I find it really hard to motivate myself to go but when I get there I love it and it really de-stresses me.

I also try to get out in the fresh air everyday, Dd3 likes to walk to school so we do that as much as possible, she has her ipod and I have mine

oooh and recently...deadwood series on dvd...brilliant....fking coksucers galore!!!!

haha! yesss that might be it! My best triumph was a 35ft palm tree.

THAT was a stressy day but ohhhh the satisfaction

I suppose I am lucky in the sense that at least half of the stuff that winds DS up winds me up too so we dont mind escaping together and leaving the rest of the house to their own devices!