Tips for De-Stressing

[She Cat]

I thought that it might be useful if everyone posted their tips for De- Stressing after a tough day or time. Just something that you do or use to calm down.

For me... My favorite is to take a really warm bubble bath, light some candles, and listen to some music while soaking. I tend to just shut the world out. I try and just think about the water, and the music, and try to remove the negative thoughts.....

There are all kinds of way to De-Stress... So what does everyone else do?????

Wendy

[becvan]

I box. I beat the crap out of the heavy bag, skip rope, do push-ups etc.. for 30-45 minutes.. get's out the aggression for me.

bec

[She Cat]

Bec,

I am so hoping that I never get you pissed off at me( thank god you live in Canada) All that boxing crap.... I really would hate to see you in action if you were really pissed. The other person wouldn't stand a chance...

Wendy

[veiled]

LOL, she is a pussy cat... I swear. She may seem to have claws but on further inspection they are filed down! I promise, she tried to show them to me a time or two. Bec, I am actually in tears laughing about it now trying not to wake people here

Cat, I am a major bubble bath, candle, music person. I do stretches and yoga too. I have to get out my DVDs to tell you the yoga person. Also eating a lot of pico de Gallo does wonders. Walking Dogs... Really any animal interaction. And I do a ton of guided imagery. It does great at teaching you to retrain your thoughts if you keep at it. Oh, and herbal teas.

[kers]

Sitting and watching TV with my cat, in the dark, really helps me. I also like riding my bike outside. If I can tolerate the silence, meditating helps me, but it is often too much for me to handle. The best thing for me is losing myself in a good book.

[becvan]

LOL why does everyone think that just because I box that I'm some super evil demon coming to beat them up?

* I share your mirth V!*

Truly I am declawed!

bec:rofl:

[She Cat]

Bec,

I recently read one of your replies to another person........Let's just leave it at that...You do have claws, filed or not. LOL!!! Ok so maybe it the boxing :fight:and the tongue.....

I also like the interaction with animals. I housesit for people on the side, and take care of their animals. Last night I took care of 1 dog, 1 cat & 3 horses. I really love animals, but I don't want my own. Been there done that, I love not having to be responsible for anyone(or thing) at home besides me.............

Wendy

[Lisa]

I used to do freestyle kickboxing which was a brilliant stress reliever and mood booster, which helped me relax. Stopped it when I moved to uni, though, but intend to get back into it in September. And believe me, if you looked at me, you wouldn't think I did kickboxing, or that I am scary in the slightest!!!!

At the moment... ha if I knew. I get some sort of break from listening to music on my ipod loudly I guess.

[Marlene]

I attend yoga class on Saturday mornings. It's funny because no matter how wound up I am when I walk into the studio I can feel myself relaxing. I recommend it to anyone who will listen. LOL

I also do fencing. Great way to relieve aggression!

I'm a big fan of bubble baths. If I'm in the car lots of loud music that I can sing (yell) along to helps to relieve a lot of the stress of the day.

[Lisa]

Oooh....one thing that does help if I can let my guard down... laughter! A comedy, a funny friend, funny pictures/memories.... does wonders for a person's wellbeing. I find it difficult to achieve at times... but a definite worker that one.

[She Cat]

Ok, I am not quite sure what I was looking for when I started this thread, but Kickboxing, Fencing, Boxing:fight:????????????? OMG you guys are KILLERS!!!! LOL ROLF!!!!

I haven't laughed this hard in awhile. And all from the women...MY goodness I hope the guys don't post with things like Cage fighting, pistol dueling, or playing chicken with cars or something of the like......

The funny thing is... I am probably the meanest out of all of you and I do bubble baths...LOL!!!!!!!

So keep me in humor, tell me more stress reducers...

[Marlene]

I haven't laughed this hard in awhile. And all from the women...MY goodness I hope the guys don't post with things like Cage fighting

I only cage fight with my hubby. :wink:

[She Cat]

Marlene,

Thanks for the laugh. Sometimes PTSD is so serious, we all need a break.

Wen

[Marlene]

Oh yeah, that's right. I was just...joking. Uh-huh!

Sorry. I have a genetic predisposition to being a smart-ass and sometimes I just can't help myself.

[goingonhope]

She Cat, I just found and like this thread a lot. I do hope others continue providing here experienced stress reducers, because I, and I suppose others do to, may need ideas.

I've have so few clues as to how to truly de-stress. De-stressing, apparently is something I just don't retain or practice enough. Well, besides eating, and laying down in exhaustion and hopefully falling asleep after a full day.

Well, I can now think of two things that work for me. One is something I seldom do, but works great when I do. That is swimming. And, the other is something I always do throughout warm weather, but overlooked, - watering, pruning and caring for plants and flowers and other general gardening. Though I do a lot, lot more in this area, not all of that is de-stressing. A great deal of that is stressful, hard work too.

Oh' ya' and what Lisa said, about laughter. On a good day, you can count on that I've Not taken myself too seriously and I've created or found much humor and laughter in the day.

That's right, ......humor and laughter seems to work miracles in de-stressing.

Hope

[nurse1]

I tape my soaps everyday. They dumm you down!!!! It just relieves my stress daily. This forum relieves my stress.

I do garden work some. Its kinda looking bad right Now

I fish. A couple glasses of wine on occasion.

No physical activitys at present.

Want to paint!!!!!!!

Shop on ebay. But honestly my soaps are biggest stress relief. That is sad!!!:dummy-spi

[She Cat]

Hope,

The gardening.....I give you credit, I am not an outdoor person. I hate gardening....BUT!!!! I LOVE houseplants....I live in 3 rooms and i think my last count was 43 houseplants. People come in and usually ask where the monkeys and elephants are. It looks like a well groomed jungle. It really is a de-stressor for me, I love to look at them, and see them grow.

Nurse,

When you said "paint" I giggled.....I am about as artistic as a lump of coal. I flunked stick people in school. :rofl:


Wendy

[opabob]

I like extream ski diving. That's where you throw the 'chute out the door, count to 5, then jump out, get your chute, put it on, and pull the cord. It works best when you do it in that exact order.

I also have property in NE lower Michigan that I call my Mental Health Getaway. With 2 acres of lakefront, I can watch the baby ducks swim by, I get yelled at by this little red squirle (this little guy will get on a branch, look right at me, and read me the riot act [gibber gabber gibber gabber]).


Bob

[veiled]

Hmmm, way to aware of my mortality and have this funny habit of trying to keep my insides well, inside! LOL as they say different storkes for different folks.

[goingonhope]

BUT!!!! I LOVE houseplants....I live in 3 rooms and i think my last count was 43 houseplants.

Hi Wendy, Wow, 43 houseplants in 3 rooms, I agree......A jungle!

How many now?, or perhaps they've double in size? Are you sure you don't have any monkey's or other jungle animals too, yet?

As for plants growing, I have a citronella plant which I've turned into 5 additional hanging citronella plants, and the original has quadrupled in size. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, if it keeps growing enormous. I can't have it take my whole porch up.

Like you Wendy, I simply love to watch plants grow, ......shrubs, flowers anything living, I love to watch grow. I love it, I love it, I love it.

Also, does anyone else have anymore:

Tips for De- Stressing after a tough day or time. Just something that you do or use to calm down.

Glad you started this thread Wendy, ...like it!

Hope

[ga yankee]

o my do i read...2 or 3 books a week. mindless books are the best. i never watch tv but i do record "my big redneck wedding" and anything that has to do with unruly kids...ie super nanny or whatever. makes me feel good about my parenting skills. my son has gotten into old cartoons..popeye, tom and jerry...i can lay on the sofa with him for hours watching those!!! love to mow the lawn ( my husband is pissed i've taken away his 'man time'). it's the most immediate gratification there is...you mow, you turn around, the grass is gone. like magic.! unfortunately i live in a drought area so i'm kinda screwed there. or sometimes...ok a lot...i just take a nap. i take my old dog up to the room with me, talk to him in stupid voices and then when he starts to ignore me..i fall asleep. and then i'm up all night surfing the internet

[HollyH]

Lol I liked reading this thread :)

Progressive relaxation can be really helpful. For people who have had any kind of therapy you've probably gone through this but its something anyone can do - on the sofa, in bed, in the bath (though be careful not to fall asleep) and is great for lessening anxiety when you feel like its taking a hold of you.

[Grama-Herc]

Just saw this thread and I noticed a theme through it. Animals seem to be having a calming and destressing affect on people.

I have found since I went back to sheltering the orphan kittens I am much calmer and more relaxed. Mom has noticed the change in me and has commented on it.

It is hard work and some times sleep is not an option but the benefits I receive are great. It is so rewarding to have one of those little ones open their eyes for the first time and look up at me with such love and awe in their eyes.

Can't get more calming than that.

[Dylan]

Laughter is a big one for me. We record all the 'funniest videos' shows. I'll listen to the comedy channel sometimes - only the adult humor can be somewhat dark, so I have to be choosy.

Hard exercise is really helpful for me, as well. The only problem there is that, the more I do, the more it takes to get me relaxed.

Alone time. a LOT of alone time.