What do you do to un-stress?

FiancB · December 2014

If I'm really obsessing over something I find it's really helpful to write it down. I recently got a journal and have actually been keeping up with it pretty well. I just really honestly write what I'm thinking about, opposed to the past when I would try to force myself to write in it every day and wrote really boring stuff like "today I did this and that". Something about getting it on paper makes my brain think it's okay to stop cycling around it. If anybody ever reads it though, I'm hosed.

Riding helps me a lot but I am in the process of selling my horse

so I need to find a new outlet. Working out similarly centers me but it's not nearly as enjoyable.

If I'm simply crabby, singing helps a lot. I sing in my car a lot. I am really, really terrible at it. But it helps.

FiancB · December 2014

Oh, and sex. Sex is good.

thisismynickname2 · December 2014

Well, first, sending hugs your way!

I do one of three things:

a) run / sweat it out

b) get lost in a good book, even if it's one I've read a dozen times already

c) binge-watch Supernatural. Nothing in real life is as bad as getting beaten to a pulp while trying to prevent the Apocalypse.

thisismynickname2 · December 2014

FiancB said:

Oh, and sex. Sex is good.

Stuck in the box.

When I'm stressed and in my head, sex is the last thing I want to do. It's like when people say that sex cures headaches. Yeah, if you can get past the fact that you have a headache to even orgasm.
If this works for some women, I envy you.

sarawifenow · December 2014

I love love love to take hot baths when I am stressed. I light candles, put on some music, and just soak. Sometimes I will read.

H is awesome with this. If he knows I am stressed out, he will start the bath for me and get me a Pepsi over ice (my favorite) and tell me to get scooting.

KytchynWitche · December 2014

There are two sure-fire Witchey ways to de-stress.

The first method is as follows:

Step 1: put something "fluffy" and fun on the TV (e.g. non-sad chick flicks, animations, and musicals are usually best - so no City of Angels/Up/Cabaret)

Step 2: make sure you are thoroughly stocked up on your beverage/s and foodstuff/s of choice

Step 3: give yourself a manicure (or just paint your nails) while watching the fluffy-fun movie, drinking the bevvie, and eating the noms (carefully, so as not to ruin your nails)

The second is baking (or making, in the case of no-bake desserts) ANYTHING that involves a crumb crust - and making the crumb crust by hand, with baggies and a hammer. Preferably while watching something action-y, with lots of Michael Bay-style explosions.

The only things I've encountered that couldn't be "de-stressed" by one (or both) of these methods were things that required years of therapy and medication. ;P

southernbelle0915 · December 2014

I cook. I like to cook anyway, but when I've had a really stressful day, I like to come home, get my knives out and create.

Making lists also helps if I'm stressed because I have a ton of shit to do. Just to organize my thoughts and priorities.

anjemon · December 2014

It really depends on what is stressing me out.

If I'm sad/disappointed about something (like not making the team or getting reprimanded at work) I like to watch action movie. One with lots of fighting and not much plot. I used to really like the Matrix, Blade/Blade 3, and Gladiator.

If it's because I've just got too much to do, I find working out really helpful. It puts all the stressed energy into a helpful place and moves it out of the way of whatever I need to accomplish. I do really like doing yoga or running, things I have to concentrate on. Or tire me out.

Otherwise books are a really great happiness generator. I read lots of romance novels, so it's enjoyable to deal with someone else's angst and drama. And in the end, I know things will be happy. And I also the feelings of falling in love is really nice.

PrettyGirlLost · December 2014

blabla89 said:

Progressive muscle relaxation. I swear by it, especially for when I want to get to sleep but my thoughts are racing. I also find cooking, cleaning and organizing relaxing because I can throw myself into it and just not think about anything else for a while.

Teach me Obi Wan, because I have this issue all of the time.

Also, so far no one has listed sex? And with all of those TMI discussions, I am disappointed in you all.

ETA: Ok, on page 2 we have a reference to sex, finally!

novella1186 · December 2014

PrettyGirlLost said:

blabla89 said:

Progressive muscle relaxation. I swear by it, especially for when I want to get to sleep but my thoughts are racing. I also find cooking, cleaning and organizing relaxing because I can throw myself into it and just not think about anything else for a while.

Teach me Obi Wan, because I have this issue all of the time.

Also, so far no one has listed sex? And with all of those TMI discussions, I am disappointed in you all.

There was one mention of sex somewhere in this thread. But I don't remember who said it.

[Deleted User] · December 2014

novella1186 said:

FeeleyToBe said:

Feel your pain- Saturday was awful and I was up at 4am bawling. Thank god for fiancé. Sometimes going to the gym helps me de-stress; and movies so I have something else to think about. Or a good book.

I'm sorry to hear that I hope you're feeling better today

I am; thank you. I'm not "all smiles" yet, but not crying any more and the butterflies in my stomach are gone- though they felt more like bats than butterflies. You are so sweet! And sorry to hear about MORE of your family drama. *ugh* It seems draining- I hope you can "re-fill your cup" soon.

novella1186 · December 2014

FeeleyToBe said:

novella1186 said:

FeeleyToBe said:

Feel your pain- Saturday was awful and I was up at 4am bawling. Thank god for fiancé. Sometimes going to the gym helps me de-stress; and movies so I have something else to think about. Or a good book.

I'm sorry to hear that I hope you're feeling better today

I am; thank you. I'm not "all smiles" yet, but not crying any more and the butterflies in my stomach are gone- though they felt more like bats than butterflies. You are so sweet! And sorry to hear about MORE of your family drama. *ugh* It seems draining- I hope you can "re-fill your cup" soon.

Thank you. I'm optimistic that I'll get to the point where I don't let their crap bother me anymore. Baby steps...

kmbay84 · December 2014

In order to un-stress, I need some quality me time where I can just sit, relax, breathe, and think for a little bit. I am such an introvert like that. I recharge by having my alone time. Then I love to listen to acapella music or watch tv or a movie. I also love to do puzzles and read.

Hot baths are nice as well. My FI wants to get me a professional hour long massage for my Christmas present this year in order to help me relax after my first semester of my Master's program. I said that I really don't need anything because we aren't really rolling in dough right now and we don't need to exchange presents. I really don't care if I get a present from him or not. Just being with him and getting some quality time together is present enough for me. That and being healthy. I would be happy with that. He said that I don't have to get him anything, well, except for a hug, but he still wants to get me that hour long massage.

I am also the biggest sap and like to watch wedding videos online as a form of relaxation. I know, I am strange that way.

decembergrl2014 · December 2014

I usually tend to zone out in front of the TV. Sometimes if I'm really stressed, I'll cry. To some it may sound weak, but I find it helpful.

themuffinman16 · December 2014

Cook, go to the gym, clean, shop, do something with my hands (make a gingerbread house), something that requires me to think very little. By the time I start thinking about the subject that was stressing me out, I have either put it to the back of my head and don't feel like revisiting the issue, or I am much calmer to deal with the issue.

Inkdancer · December 2014

1. Dance. Happy music + getting exercise endorphins = happy Ink.
2. Crafts/ writing. If I focus on creating something, I can channel my unhappiness into something cool and that makes me feel better.
3. Video games. Especially if I'm angry. I need to stop dwelling on what I'm mad about and just shoot some space robots until I feel better.
4. Baking. Hard to be upset when you're eating caramelized chocolate espresso cake.

novella1186 · December 2014

Inkdancer said:

1. Dance. Happy music + getting exercise endorphins = happy Ink.
2. Crafts/ writing. If I focus on creating something, I can channel my unhappiness into something cool and that makes me feel better.
3. Video games. Especially if I'm angry. I need to stop dwelling on what I'm mad about and just shoot some space robots until I feel better.
4. Baking. Hard to be upset when you're eating caramelized chocolate espresso cake.

And I immediately started drooling.

lacqueredlover · December 2014

A massage, a long shower, a hard workout and baked ziti usually helps me.

What do you do to un-stress?

Re: What do you do to un-stress?

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