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How do you de-stress?
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Walk and play word games to distract myself. I often do this at the same time on the treadmill using apps on my phone.1
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yoga, cardio, prayer, reading2
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I book a float session! Or I take a bubble bath 🧼5 -
For coping with anxiety or stress, I tend to listen to music from the Heart Radio station while out on a walk in the evening to clear my mind, or I do my house cleaning at work and try to keep myself busy with distracting my mind onto other things more important than what I am stressing over.
If you go on a computer, Ipad or vice versa, I do recommend to you to try a creative writing hobby or interest. I personally find roleplay writing with a friend can work wonders for venting off any frustration.2 -
Walking and hiking are good for me when i need to destress!5
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This is a screen shot of a video taken on a Bush chill out beside one of our best fires..
it was toastie.. 
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takemetosingapore2019 wrote: »
I book a float session! Or I take a bubble bath 🧼
Like it!!1 -
Hiking
Alcohol and eating badly. I’m trying to do less of this but it’s hard. This is my first thought whenever I have a bad day at work. My work is stressful so this is happening way too much5 -
orangegato wrote: »Hiking
Alcohol and eating badly. I’m trying to do less of this but it’s hard. This is my first thought whenever I have a bad day at work. My work is stressful so this is happening way too much
Alcohol and bad eating is tempting but is becoming and old habit. * hugs * hope u can find a alternatives. Glad u shared it with us. U might find someone that can help2 -
Lifting! Church 😊3
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I de-stress a number of ways depending on time and what I feel like and what is causing the stress.
Walking is pretty much always good anyway for me to destress
Running/cycling is perfect for the de-stressing whilst agitated or angry or Well something that need to come out
Knitting or sewing or reading is great to de-stress when feeling OK and I am looking for a way to get the day away from me before going to bed
Baking bread or cooking or walking is a de/avoid-stresser when I need to think but don't want to think. Something is then on the back of my mind and I need to think it through but not in the foreground I know I have my best work done then if i do keep mildly busy with something else. If I think to hard it becomes stress by doing something like this I avoid the stress but I know that I will make my mind up as well.
Now form this list it looks as if I have it all sussed, but even when you know how to handle it it can still be a list.Not scoring perfectly but this way I keep a handle on things2 -
These days 100% of my stress is work related from putting in 50-60+ hours per/week.
Other than long vacations with my wife and daughter, my releases are: exercise, practicing my musical instruments, reading a book or sitting listening to music with a cold beer. On rare occasion, I also enjoy sitting alone at Starbucks staring at nothing and thinking.
Everyone should find an outlet for sanity sake.3 -
epsom salt baths and asmr videos on youtube on my ipad for two things I do. I like to read too. Also I play guitar and piano for fun.3
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Also, I forgot to add, I tend to have sea salted warm baths or read a book.0
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I've been there with more than 3 children, all 2 years apart and it's mega HARD to de-stress, especially if you're a stay at home mom. The important things to make yourself remember daily is that you are NOT alone. The idea/feeling that you're alone and no one understands nor cares creates a huge impression/imagination that opens doors to self-pity, depression and yuck in your heart/mind and eventually can/does/will affect your body.
Also, it's URGENT that you MAKE yourself realize and understand that life is far more than your experience(s). IF you fall into the "trap" that your experience(s) is everything and the "only" reality that will make for some UGHish attitudes and choices. IF you choose to believe that all of life is just your personal experience, you'll put yourself in a depressing/hopeless box and it will be super HARD to embrace mercy, patience and love. ALWAYS remember that your personal life's experience is NOT all there is and that it's a HUGE world outside your "world" and that as you make it your business to make this "season" in your life a time of learning and quite frankly humbling yourself and embracing this "role" you're playing just for now and HOPE for growing mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally is ALL around you...you just must Ask, Seek and Knock for change (much like what you're doing in starting this thread)---BOOM, it will come and bring even more hope with it...I promise!
Okay, so what can you do to "de-stress" with babies/toddlers/preschoolers/children/teens around you all the time?
1.) DANCE with them and alone. Put on some cute and happy-making music for both the children and you and DANCE all the time. Dancing does something funderful in you and the children too. It allows you to "go crazy" in a super fun and good way. If you are really overweight or obese and dancing is a bit to hard for you now, just do some wee marching and wee movements until you build up your strength and endurance. PLAY SOME HAPPY JAMMING MUSIC AND DANCE ALL THE TIME WITH AND WITHOUT THE CHILDREN.
2.) WALK--Make yourself walk a lot, to and from the grocery store and even around the block or whatever, make it your business to go for wee walks and get some fresh air daily, with and without the children. If the weather is bad, just step outside or open the window and get some fresh air for at least a few minutes EVERY DAY.
3.) SUPPORT--Make yourself get involved in activities with other mothers with children. Make it your business to search out FREE or low cost activities for children and mothers. Local libraries often have these and you will get the opportunity to meet mothers in your shoes and the fellowship will help you tremendously.
4.) SELF-TALK--Tell and remind yourself that this is a "season" in your life and even though it looks and feels like you're "d$mned forever to be locked down with this sometimes mind numbing business of being a mother and the huge and many times thankless "JOB" of motherhood WILL get better and change over time. The ole "This too SHALL pass" is real and true. Focus on that. Sharply and I mean business rebuke/cast out/replace ANY negative self talk with the exact opposite. Example: I HATE my life and I HATE these little nerve wracking monster children. IMMEDIATELY refuse to embrace this type of thinking (no matter how many million times a days these "thoughts" come into you heart/spirit/mind) and say outloud and to yourself I LOVE my life, my life is HARD and this is a mega yuck struggle dealing with all these children all the time. but I'm learning what real love and patience is all about--so bring it. My children are darlings and a bit helpless at this time in their precious lives and I'm GLAD to be the one to help them become the people I want to be around. They are struggling just like me, but in a different way. I LOVE them and NEED them as much as they need me. Yes, they are nerve wracking, but so am I to a lot of people. They are not monster, or even if they are...I am big ole monster too, so I will use this agitation to be less monster like and more loving, patience and merciful, period. Stuff like that!
5.) MOTHER'S HELPERS--There are a lot of young ladies who work as "mother's helpers". Look for them in mother's groups, church and other public bullentine boards, local newspapers and school and friends, family, neighbors, etc.) If you are like me and don't/won't leave your children with baby sitters, get a mother's helper that actually "baby-sit" of sorts but while you're at home with them too. They will help entertain the children while you have an hour or so to yourself. And even help with chores around the house too. Mother's Helpers are also relatively inexpensive, because they are young ladies (ages 12-16 or so). Make it your business to find one or more. Also, if you don't mind leaving your children with baby sitters, invest some time in interviewing some young ladies that you and develop a relationship with and eventually become a baby sitter for you.
6.) Give yourself over to positive and uplifting reading. I used to listen to the bible on cd a LOT, low especially at night while I'm sleeping. Also, reading and listening to audio books are entertaining and help you feel less like you're losing your mind and/or just getting mind-numb from being around young children all the time.
{{{{{{{{{
HUGS }}}}}}}}}}}}} Thank you ever so much for posting this and again, time seems like it's standing still and it will be this way forever...but it won't I promise. I've been there for many years and it was super HARD. You're a super-star and shero for giving yourself over to motherhood. These days, motherhood is looked down upon and poo-poo'd/wooed as being stupid/useless/unnecessary/weird. For you to take on this "opportunity" to help your children and yourself (by learning patience, caregiving and so very much more) You ROCK, period. ALWAYS remember that what you are doing is shaping a new generation and that's just tremendous!!!!
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Bike ride, hike, ski, swim, climb.2
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If it hits me when i cant walk away ie traveling in the back of a car, i come online here and chat to u peeps or check friends statuses .
Mostly find someone to make u happy or make them happy. That helps alot
Another idea to make your laugh is to ask Google assist for a joke or tell it you're stressed out or sad it's quite funny, check it out.. lol0 -
orangegato wrote: »Hiking
Alcohol and eating badly. I’m trying to do less of this but it’s hard. This is my first thought whenever I have a bad day at work. My work is stressful so this is happening way too much
I have meetings two afternoons a week that can be stressful, so I try to take a long lunch those days and lift heavy, so I'm nice and relaxed for the meetings.1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »
I have meetings two afternoons a week that can be stressful, so I try to take a long lunch those days and lift heavy, so I'm nice and relaxed for the meetings.
I really don’t think I can do something prophylactic. But I can take something. And so I’m going to look into medication. Especially now that winter is coming and I’m unlikely to go hiking or be outside as much. Plus the days are so short and the lack of sun makes me depressed.0 -
orangegato wrote: »
I really don’t think I can do something prophylactic. But I can take something. And so I’m going to look into medication. Especially now that winter is coming and I’m unlikely to go hiking or be outside as much. Plus the days are so short and the lack of sun makes me depressed.
Vit D?1 -
Vit D?
Have tried vit D, doesn't help
Still not on psych meds yet
Someone told me they think I enjoy hiking b/c of endorphins. So I should exercise daily.0 -
Exercise which I do at home. It helps clear my head.
I also read a lot on my kindle app.
Sleep helps too 1 -
yoga, gyrotonics , brisk walk with my dog , eating a (small !) portion of dark chocolate0
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My thought is yoga, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, rolling(ground control), and walking is great!0
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I like taking my dog for a walk, it's always quiet/peaceful time for me!!!0
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Rolling jiujitsu0
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at home with kids.. so what I do at home is a bubble bath every night, I put my computer on a stand and watch Netflix or amazon prime.. and choose a fun favorite movie that makes you happy. I light candles and drink sparkling water, or wine. Also, rubbing lavender essential oil into my feet and legs helps me relax and the aroma is a known stress reducer. also, many find those adult art/coloring books useful. Many say coloring in them receives stress.
but with your kids.. the trick is to find some alone time, either when they'r en bed or if Dad can take them off your hands for two hours so you can just have your own time.1 -
Runaroundafieldx2 wrote: »
Not sure why anyone would woo this.
Have a hug to balance it out. Hope winter goes quickly for you.
People are SUCH jerks on here lately and will "woo" everything. Rude.4 -
Exercise0
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I pray
I read a good book- look at a feel good movie or a good anime - exercise(walking) or light body weight exercise
listen to good music and talk on phone to friends or family1
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