How do you manage stress?

askeates

Ok, maybe this is a silly question... and I thought I had a handle on it all previously. So here is my story (well for my new 2013 start anyway)

I was following WW, and it just was way to hard to figure out the new point system (to count that fruit/veggie or not count)... I came back to MFP, and did the 1200 calorie thing to try to kick my body into gear again (made it worse, gained 5 pounds in a month).

Did a ton of research and found that the TDEE - 20% method does really make more sense. I found that drinking the water was easy, I still struggled to get to the calories every day but I'm doing it, I'm cooking more and planning again... And I knew that it was going to take some time to fix my "broken" metabolism (years and years of abuse). After month 1 of the TDEE - 20% I had lost the 5 pounds I'd gained, and then lost an additional 5 pounds. Yay me...

About 2 months ago now, my company said "yep, Furloughs are going to impact us" (OMG how am I going to manage?). I immediately noticed that my sleep pattern was affected, which meant exercise was affected, which meant that I had little to no appetite again, which meant that I would get the OMG you haven't eaten since 5 yesterday afternoon and it is almost 4 p.m. today feeling of oh crap I need to eat so I would grab the nearest thing to eat (mainly to satisfy my son). And I have now gained back that 10 pounds (depending on day 1+/- the 10 pounds). I just can't seem to break this!

So I'm trying to get back to the "If HE leads you to it, HE will lead you through it" that I know I should be living.... but man I'm struggling. Any suggestions on ways to wind down, ways to help me sleep, or get rid of at least a little of the stress?

AllonsYtotheTardis

I run

KANGOOJUMPS

BOOZE
LOTS OF IT.

askeates

I can't run due to back issues and a knee issue (doesn't help that I always hated running). However, I have been trying exercise that I do enjoy, it just gets my adrenaline pumping and sleep is ellusive.

Booze works, too bad I can no longer afford it with the Furlough

spickard34

I manage it buy deep breathing and working out. After a long stressful day my workout is key to me being in a better mood at night. Its all about taking back control and making time for yourself

oldandhealthier

being grouchy works for me:grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble: :grumble:

Factory_Reset

Running and lifting. Nothing better than the barbell on your back to de-stress.

If you're looking for other alternatives than exercising there's always sex.

FITnFIRM4LIFE

BOOZE
LOTS OF IT.

Yup,yup Ü

Besides that;-) Lifting

askeates

Well, I'm already considered a big old b!@#$% so I guess I could just continue down that path, just get even more B@!#$%y! That could actually be fun!

cwolfman13

For reals....this is stress...



This is me managing stress...





I also run, bike, and swim...but pumping iron is the ultimate in stress relief.

swingsintherain

As far as dealing with the stress, try to make sure to relax every day, even if only for half an hour. This could be exercise, or it could be meditation, or it could be allowing yourself to watch a TV show you want to watch. Just make the choice to RELAX.

To help getting to sleep, there's always the oft-repeated sleep hygiene things: start winding down 30-60 minutes before bed, sleep in a cool dark room, avoid caffeine after noon (or 3 pm, depending on how quickly it gets out of your system), try to avoid computer/TV an hour before bed (the blue light from the screen can keep your body from making the melatonin that triggers sleep), etc. Chammomile or other herbal teas can help too.

sevsmom

Control the things you CAN control, and quit trying to outsmart (worry) the things you can't control. A few years back I gained a ton of weight 20+ in two years of constant turmoil over furloughs, layoffs, and an eventual merger. Once the merger was done, I quit fighting all the "what if scenarios" and decided to get myself back to better health.

Along the way I picked up running which is a god send, really.

You can control your physical activity. . .just force yourself to do hard things. You can control your food intake. You can't control your company's decision making. IF you are impacted by furloughs, you WILL figure out how to make the best of things. It's not easy, but you will survive.

Now, stop allowing external things to sabotage what you know you need to do for yourself and your family!!!

deb3129

Exercise is a great way to destress, if you find what you like doing. But I cannot do it too close to bed time, or it wires me up and keeps me awake. Just try to fit it in somewhere, and experiment with how long you need before exercise and bed time. I used to think I hated all exercise, but now it is what I look forward to on especially stressful days.

kellijauch

Work out, talk to your friends and family, maybe do some yoga and meditation. Really, you just have to find what works for you to destress

jktin08

Sorry you are dealing with so much right now *hugs*. I also cannot run due to joint issues--so I walk. I do Leslie Sansone videos (I recommend them HIGHLY) but walking anywhere will help burn off some of that stress. When I did work in an office, my co-workers and I use to walk around our building as fast as we could (regardless of weather) and it helped a lot.

conniemaxwell5

Control the things you CAN control, and quit trying to outsmart (worry) the things you can't control. A few years back I gained a ton of weight 20+ in two years of constant turmoil over furloughs, layoffs, and an eventual merger. Once the merger was done, I quit fighting all the "what if scenarios" and decided to get myself back to better health.

Along the way I picked up running which is a god send, really.

You can control your physical activity. . .just force yourself to do hard things. You can control your food intake. You can't control your company's decision making. IF you are impacted by furloughs, you WILL figure out how to make the best of things. It's not easy, but you will survive.

Now, stop allowing external things to sabotage what you know you need to do for yourself and your family!!!

This - if everyone could learn to do this, the world would be a better place!

wanttolose62

Well it's easy to say "just do it". But as one furlough impacted person to another, it really isn't that easy. Life intrudes and schedules go out the window. Sleep gets to be a big deficit when your life is in flux. So in reality, it starts with you. Give yourself some time to absorb the repurcussions of the furlough.

Figure out your budget if you haven't already. Face the demon not as an army of demons to overcome, just take on one demon at a time.

Set an alarm that tells you to eat. Even if you aren't hungry, EAT. It doesn't have to be a full meal, but you do need to keep your body fueled.

And walk. If you can do it alone, put on some headphones and listen to music. If you walk with someone, talk about anything except the furlough.

Give yourself a break from a set schedule and take it one day at a time. There is a message on these boards called, "Just for today". I'll look for it and post it when I find it.

Again, it's easy enough to say here's the solution. But really, it's whatever works for you.

Remember to breathe. And, in case you don't know it, you aren't alone in these furloughs even if each of us has a different situation because of them.


http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1012994-just-for-today?hl=just+for+today

Blossom59

Don't think that of yourself. You are a wonderful and worthy person. Look at how far you have already came. Don't let all these comments get you down. There are people here that care and lots of us are in the same condition. I couldn't run to save my life!! Both of my rotar cups are wore out...so I cannot lift. I am not good at managing stress either. Just remember there is a lot of us that really do care. Feel free to add me as a friend.

askeates

Thank you all very much. I definitely needed the humor in some of these posts and reminders in the others!

I am aware that my family and I are not the only ones impacted by the current issues of furloughs and lay-offs, but I still worry about it. All the planning in the world doesn't seem to help lately.

Thank you all for the suggestions and tips. Please keep them coming, they are greatly appreciated!