Do you escape the stress w/alternatives?
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Do you escape the stress w/alternatives?
| Sun, 03-19-2006 - 7:57am |
As parents of teens, we certainly all know what stress is (I know that is an understatement). Lately, I have been causing myself physical illness when I don't handle the stress well. I've committed to a Tuesday Power Yoga class which is really helping me. I actually sometimes "leave" my body as I move through the movements and visualize myself correcting my alignment. At the end there is a quiet time for further relaxation. Last time, my mind went somewhere else. I felt like I was in a dream state and my "dream" was me lying on the ground with four garbage cans around me. I then looked up and could see the blue sky. Was that a message or what? Those garbage cans were probably things for me to deal with or empty from my life. I don't know what looking into the blue sky meant. I have also purchased a sleep cd which is just beautiful. It really helps me slow down, let go, relax and go to sleep. I had been trying to do this by drinking wine before bed. That became drinking wine at dinner time AND before bed and I didn't like that it sort of took over my evening. Sometimes I still resort to that and regret it (I think that is one of my garbage cans) Now I've signed up for a QiGong class which is like Tai Chi on Wednesday nights. Does anyone else use meditation, yoga, visualization, or anything else like this? I highly recommend it. Peace and blessings.
Deb
Deb

I can definitely relate, although my method is a bit different, but hey, whatever works!
I'm in a pretty high stress job right now, and home life was stressful for the last year while dh was out of a job. What works for me is books on tape/CD up/back to work. Right now I'm doing Half Blood Prince (I LOVE Jim Dale) - it's definitely my 15-20 minutes, 2x/day escape!
Ok, and I'll admit it - I also still watch AMC (off and on since HS) and do my exercising/resistance toning while watching. Having that 'me' time is definitely critical.
Sue
Deb
For stress, I love to garden. Pulling those weeds is a wonderful thing + the physical activity makes me tired so I sleep better. Another stress reducer for me is studying. I am finishing up some courses required for my job and I find that studying forces all those worries about the kids right out of my mind for a little while. I tend to fall asleep to the news b/c it usually bores me. Other than that I will take an Ambien about once every couple weeks to sleep.
Good Luck!
And I'm rather partial to chocolate chip cookies ... I eat them while carrying on meaningful conversations with myself about whatever is worrying me.
jules
I tend to hide in the bathroom for long periods of time! Haha - My H is always asking me, "What do you DO in there??"
Besides that I have found that simply doing things I enjoy helps me to let go of the stressors. Such as gardening when the weather permits, reading a good book, long hot showers, walking, playing a wicked game of 'stick' with my dogs, a b!tch session with a friend, and I really love going to the butterfly conservatory as well. I recently joined Curves, so now working out is helpful in keeping me 'up'. And lastly, but probably the most important is learning to have a sense of humor about things. This past year has really taught me not to get so completely stressed about stuff. Things can ALWAYS be worse, situations can always get better and sometimes even the most horrid of situations can bring forth better things or a lesson learned. Laughing about the little stupid things helps me to get over the other stuff.