How do you deal with stress?
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| Sun, 10-07-2007 - 8:35pm |
I used to think I was pretty good at handling stress, but this past week has kicked my butt! I have so much stress over school right now. I just don't have enough hours in the week to get it all done, which means I've cut into my sleeping time. So, I'm not sleeping enough. I get a little exercise ( I know I need more ), nightly bubble baths, frequent study breaks......it doesn't seem to be helping. My neck and shoulder muscles are so tight and sore. My stomach hurts. I feel overwhelmed. The next 2 weeks are really bad for me in school. My computer class is wrapping up so I am studying for the final. I have a huge exam in anatomy in a week and a half. I have to know every bone in the human body along with every articulation. By know every bone I mean by sight and name. We will be given bones and have to know what they are, what they articulate with. The professor has also said that every marking on any bone is fair game. It's alot to study. I also have an oral presentation due on Thursday that I have just started this weekend. It took me all yesterday to find an acceptable journal article on my assigned topic (rheumatism) that I have to base my oral presentation on. I also have to make a visual powerpoint presentation to go with it.
It should slow down a bit after all this, but I'm just drowning right now.
So my question was...........how do you decompress? What helps you relieve stress?
Shannon


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I totally understand how school can be stressful. I'm luckier than you are in the sense that I'm a full time student and so all my time can be spent on class work and things like that while you have so many other things to worry about.
I don't know if it would help but since you are studying all the different bones, you may wanna photocopy and cut out each bone with its name and function and whatever else you might be tested on and put them up around the house so you can look at them and remember while you are doing other things like making dinner, doing laundry etc...
As for how to decompress, I think the best thing is to have a full body massage. A professional one is great but very expensive. So the other option is to find a friend who is nice enough to give you a massage, esp on the shoulders and neck.
Hope things get better for you soon.
Hugs.
Bleue,
A massage sounds like heaven! I've been having Shelley work on my neck and shoulders every night but the tension is very stubborn and won't leave. I wish I was a full time student. I wish I had known what I wanted to be when I grew up about 13 years ago.....LOL. Back when I didn't have a partner, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a car payment, mortgage and job. LOL Oh well, I'll be done in 2 years and 2 months. It's only going to get harder from this point on so I need to get used to it.
I'll have to think of some kind of reward for myself if I can get through the next 2 weeks.
Shannon
Let me do some diagnosis from here. Your neck and shoulders are probably having VERY tight knots. If you hope to get rid of them then you probably need to ask S to knead deeply into those knots, some ointment might aid the process. At the same time, try to relax a little. Try instrumental music and aromatherapy while you are she's helping you with the stubborn knots. I know it's easier said than done but that's the only way I can think of to get rid of those. I do realize being a full time student is a lot less stressful than being in the real world and so I am cherishing every moment of it.
Get better k. Maybe you can reward yourself with a professional massage.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have some tea tree oil so I guess we'll try that. I complain but I don't have it too bad. I work 30 hours a week, 3 - 10 hour shifts. I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to go to work. I don't work weekends. I have the flexibility to change my schedule every semester to work around my classes. I have awesome benefits and get paid well. It could be alot worse. Now if I had 30 hours a day instead of 24 I could be super woman! LOL
What are you studying? If you don't mind me being nosy?
Shannon
I haven't read the other responses yet, but my first one - to make you smile (given your respiratory therapy program) - doing some slow and deep breathing helps.
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Hey Shannon,
When I get stressed out, a long quiet walk will often help me, but being outside any time is always more relaxing for me.
Kathleen,
How is your DD doing?
I've cut back my sleep about 2 hours a night. I'm trying to go to bed 1 hour later and get up 1 hour earlier. I'm feeling it. I need alot of sleep, 8 hours minimum. I do frequent breaks, ever hour or hour and a half I take a 20 minute break. I cannot imagine sitting for more than that, it's too much.I do the notecards too, they go everywhere with me. The stretching is a good idea, I'm so stiff this morning I can't turn my neck from side to side.
Thanks for the suggestions, I need all the help I can get.
Shannon
Shelley gave me a lovely massage with tea tree oil last night and I felt good going to sleep. But it's all back this morning with a vengence! I'll have her work on it again tonight, maybe after I've had a beer........LOL. Or glass of wine.
Shannon
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