Stress Management Techniques?

marymickaela

I'm looking for ideas of what others do to help deal with stress. I was just told I have a possible serious eye disease "Central Serous Retinopathy" and it's caused by stress. I see a Retina Specialist this Friday to find out for sure. My weight also is causing me stress and I handle it by over eating. I have a broken tooth that's going to cost me $7,000 to get an implant/crown. That's causing me stress cause I blame an appliance my dentist had me wearing which caused the tooth to break. Thanking about confronting him is causing me stress. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Right now I've been increasing my tranquilizers. I've been walking when the weather's been nice. I worked in the yard last Saturday thinking that would help, but had a major panic attack and my husband had to get me out of the house.

How do you handle stress?

DearestWinter

I get anxiety due to stress, so in addition to meds (as needed) I will often do the following:

I focus on my breath. Breathe in really slowly, hold, breathe out really slowly. Repeat. It sounds simple but it helps me focus and relaxes me. Related to that would be meditation. I found a guided meditation site with a free trial and it was interesting (and I did feel more relaxed after each session) but the habit didn't stick. I know it works for many though!

I have a bath ritual. Put some relaxing music on, make some tea, and get into the bath with no distractions.

Finally, if something specific is stressing me out then I try to talk myself out of it. Basically self-soothing and telling myself "this will be fine. you can do this. everything will work out." I remind myself of how I got through previous situations and so forth.

Spreyton22K

^^ All of what DearestWinter has said is valuable and helpful but if you are struggling to the point of full blown panic attacks maybe it is time to consult your Doctor and confide in them.

Be clear and don't be afraid to tell them everything......relying on extra tranquilizers is only a short term band-aid help and may leave you more vulnerable to re-bound panic when you have to reduce them or they become less effective over time.....you may need the extra support of anti-anxiety medication to get you through, also maybe look at getting support through groups IRL as well as on-line.

All the very best, anxiety is harsh and debilitating and the longer you try to deal with it alone the more exhausted you can feel and that just makes it all the worse.....please get as much outside help as you can.