Stress relief suggestions

Can you leave and go somewhere calming? Get out of your current environment? Beach, forest, aquarium, park? Just sitting in the quiet someplace "away" helps me. There are new things to look at and distract me from what's happening in my brain, and the nature washing over me is soothing. If it's cold, just bundle up and bring a hot drink.

I also find that journaling helps me. It changes from a rage-induced string of *kittens* into productive thought before too long.

I can hear your pain in your writing voice. I'm so sorry for whatever has happened.

If you have "faith", try praying.

Sorry hon--you're a vet on here too. I've followed your posts. Bad news takes time to stew. It's hard to recommend a strategy, but going to see a good movie, or reading a good book helps me. I also like to lick my wounds in private. Do you have anybody close that you can unload on? You need to get it out to heal. Go scream in the woods, until you can't anymore. That's all I can say, but hope you bounce back soon--you're strong and resilient. Best of luck.

Shouting is good for rage!

For stress/distress - especially that which makes sleep impossible - I'd go for writing.

It depends on the source of stress but you could:
Write a reply (perhaps one you wish you could have given at the time)
or just explain what was wrong/ write it all down for yourself. Empty your head onto a page.

There is a discipline - a meditation - in doing this and selecting the right words/details. ( It is the only thing you can keep your mind on when the stress-level is so high.)

You can then put it in a box - for later consideration.

This helps - as the problem does not need to be in your head any more.

I second the Journal option. Sometimes the best way to work through anxiety ridden thoughts is to try to write them down and make it make sense to a stranger (the paper.) It works wonders for me, and it doesn't matter that my handwriting is total scribble.

Also, you said meditation doesn't work. Honestly, I'd like to know the person that can slip into meditation when they're so upset they're drowning in their own snot, crying...because they're clearly an alien. There are a lot of different types of meditation out there and some pretty good apps for iphone/android that do guided meditation. You could always try again when you're not so heightened.

I hope you feel better soon.

Yoga is awesome. Find a restorative class not a hot yoga or power yoga. Also going out into nature like a walk or a hike through the woods is great.

I have a friend who goes to Petsmart when she's stressed. Being able to pet some animals and check out others, besides the snakes, relaxes her on a stressful day.

Massage is another.

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Music...turn it on and just listen. Focus on the sound.
Enya. I used to not be a fan but I spent a year in very close proximity to an autistic man with a rage problem and Enya became my best friend. He could not be angry while listening to Enya. And my blood pressure (and brainwaves) dropped when we had her playing. I also make up lyrics as she sings because mostly, her songs are in gaelic, so I have no idea what she's saying. You could sing along with her about whatever suckage you're experiencing. Her gaelic version of Silent Night is pretty funny.

Listen to Jon Anderson (with Vangelis or Yes...other options too)...but then I LOVE JA. My fave/go to is Union (YES), but all of his stuff is awesome.

Read a book? Or listen to one on cd/cassette/mp3?

talk it out to a friend, read a book, watch tv, sleep, adult coloring book, rock out/dance to music or do the exact opposite and try to be relaxed and smoothed by music, play a video game, try on clothes (new clothes you bought that you can be proud of and remind yourself of your progress!),