How do you deal with stress?

[AmyBoz]

Certainly we all deal with stress differently. My dad eats when stressed. My mom sleeps when stressed. Some people drink when stressed. Of course, none of these things actually help you cope with whatever situation you are facing.

I either eat, or I take out my frustration on others who aren't even the cause of my stress. One of the things I really want to work on in the New Year is to face my stress head-on and not do any of the self-destructive behaviors that I've used in the past.

How do you deal with stress?

[starsapphire]

This is perfect timing for me for this new forum.

Amyboz I also eat and take it out on others when I'm under stress.

I have discovered, just today, another destructive outlet. I run my mouth. Then I end up with my foot in it.

I managed to get not one, but ALL my bosses, all the way up, mad at me at work today.

All because I'm under alot of stress, and I started running my mouth. I tend to get slightly crazy when under alot of stress and make bad decisions.

What I did after I was talked to, was I went into the bathroom stall for about 10 minutes and prayed. Then I did my best to stay out of everybody's way and keep my fat mouth shut.

I'm feeling a bit better now. Before I came home for lunch, two out of four bosses are still not talking to me.

This morning, I snapped at DH because our bathtub is completely clogged and I needed to take a shower.

I'm having a bad day.

[FrugalMomof3]

I too take it out on others .... I have told my children that if I yell at them for no apparent reason when theyask a simple question or what have you that I am either angry or under stress so they should not take it personally.

I dont tend to eat though but I smoke so I do notice that I smoke more when under stress (I know a nasty habit).

[Darlene]

Most things get figured out pretty quick & aren't really worth worrying about, but for those really tough things I lose sleep. I'm usually pretty good at not letting things get to me but sometimes I'll be awake tossing & turning. Always choices to be made and things will be ok.

[Mom23boys]

When I am stressed, which tends to be often lately, I tend to overeat. I don't eat healthy either. I binge on unhealthy snack foods. I hope I can face my stress head on too in the new year.

[BlackstoneMama]

I tend to "not" eat when I am stressed. Lost 10 lbs during my divorce. If I do eat, its coffee and dark chocolate. I also tend to be very quiet, which is unlike me.

I'm learning to cope in better ways though, taking a few moments for myself, a hot bubble bath after I put the kids to bed, a book, started going to church, got a dog to go for walks with...

also I finally realized that its time I please me in this life and not everyone else. Worrying about what everyone else thinks can be one of the most hazardous things to a person's health and cause such unnecessary stress.

[autumnlynn]

When I'm really stressed, I find that I can't eat or sleep. It's really hard to get what's stressing me off my mind. A lot of my stress is caused by procrastination.

[nuisance26]

~My poor DH get the brunt of my lashing out while stressed. I'm lucky that he's such an easy-going guy and not usually 'listening' anyway! What helps the stress go away for me(or at least improves my attitude and reaction to a stressful situation) is to have a full 'Me" tank. Getting alone for a walk, taking a hot bubble bath, sketching floor plans, sewing, etc. Running on empty is a recipe for a complete meltdown and depression.~

[GMA21]

My insomnia gets worse when I'm under a lot of stress which has been a lot lately but I try to remind myself that I shouldn't worry about things I can't change but sometimes it isn't easy.
I also have a tendency to snack more than usual like on cookies & chips {if/when they are in the house}.

[miss_thrifty]

hands down i eat first cravingcarbs and sweets or if im really stressed im tired, no energy at all. yelling seems to be automatic at pms time lol

[Hollyhandi]

Eat, sleep and cry.
I also snap at people for no reason and I run my mouth too...
I need to get a grip soon

[jkelstaten]

I *try* to pray. But with toddlers it's hard to get a break enough to do that. Usually I go cook something and DH will keep the kids in the living room so I can have a break, but lately the kitchen has been too cold (10 degrees celcius/50 F) for me to really hang out in. Unless I'm doing a cooking marathon. So for today....I'm relishing nap time!!!

By the way, for now most of my stress is caused by my 2 year old keeping me up all night because she won't sleep in her bed and our bed is too small unless she sleeps on me.....definite cause for stress. Sleep depravation

[thrifty gal]

Like a lot of you, I eat, and eat, and eat, and I take it out on the people around me . I also try to avoid the stress, by not thinking about it, and not dealing with it. I have done this a million times with financial stress, and problems that arise. I definitely need to work on handling stress.

[mcphlips]

My stress always leads to anxiety.. I worry ...worry... worry about everything and anything....health...illness...family...that becomes difficult to break.

[nwmissourigal]

I used to get stressed out alot, but I find as I get older and the little things of life just don't matter...it's just stuff. My mother died of cancer and that is when my life really changed. It taught me patience. It was a stressful time, but my mother was so graceful in her battle and just didn't stress out about it. I learned a life lesson from that. When I do feel a little stress or overwhelmed...I just simply walk away. If I feel a confrontation comming on I walk away..pray about it and then go back to confront it. Everyone deals with stress in different ways...but, I find I just hand my stress to God and let him carry it. Sounds kinda pollyana...but it works for me..Blessings..kathy