How do you deal with stress?

AnneBonny
AnneBonny Member, Alpha Surveyor Posts: 2,252

I've been a bit of a wreck lately and am trying to just figure out ways to calm myself down. I like to lay down, light some incense and play music, but lately that just hasn't really worked as well for me. Usually it's general stress or anxiety that's messing with me but sometimes things just kind of boil over (no pun intended) and I just kinda stop functioning for the entire day. Does anyone else deal with this sort of thing and how do you manage it?

Comments

  • calem
    calem Member Posts: 533

    I definitely stay away from DBD for starters lol, I generally either go and sit outside and relax doing things on my phone for a while, or I play a relaxing game that I can chill out on (usually Bloons Tower Defence 6). I have GAD so I tend to do these things a lot. I also enjoy candles, but sometimes the smell can get overwhelming

  • AnneBonny
    AnneBonny Member, Alpha Surveyor Posts: 2,252

    Going out is always nice, unfortunately the heat's been really bad where I live lately though. I love going out when it's storming and just kinda watching/listening to the rain

  • pizzaduffyhp90
    pizzaduffyhp90 Member Posts: 901

    This is what I do when I'm dealing with stress I'd put on some Zelda music because Zelda has some peaceful tunes especially Wind Waker's tracks they're very relaxing and another thing I would do is maybe chat with a friend or watch some youtube videos that you really like.

  • Marc_go_solo
    Marc_go_solo Member Posts: 5,154

    Exercising is a great way to deal with it, especially if it's an exercise machine that provides resistance, like a cross-trainer. There's something about pushing against something that helps constructively release stress.

    Punching also helps. Get a punch bag, as having something to focus on will also help release it.

  • AshInTheTallGrass
    AshInTheTallGrass Member Posts: 1,670

    I second the 1, taking a break from dbd (should add social media to that) 2, playing calming music and 3, exercising.

    Are you getting enough sleep? Drinking enough water? Are you on your phone right before bed and first thing in the morning (if so, try not doing it for a few days and see what happens)? Do you do yoga (or even just simple stretches)? All of that can play a role in calming yourself.

    I would also recommend getting a great therapist and/or doing some soul searching. Is your anxiety rooted in some unsolved issues, or does it exist regardless of what's going on with your life? If it's the first, taking some time to acknowledge, process, and/or plan can help. If it's the second, I go back to getting a good therapist who can 1, help you unpack what's going on and 2, give you techniques to help you when you're in the middle of it. Your brain is an incredibly powerful organ, and like any organ, it sometimes needs some help to heal.

    If you need some resources, go to psychologytoday.com. Type in your zip code and find a therapist who specializes in what you need. You can also see what insurance is accepted (if at all), what types of therapy they use, and the costs for out of pocket visits. Additionally, if a therapist is advertised as having a "sliding scale" it means they're able to lower the price.

    Take care.

  • GannTM
    GannTM Member Posts: 10,866

    One thing that will certainly help is hanging out with friends. This will get your mind off of anything you’re stressed with for a bit if you just focus on what you’re currently doing. It’s worked for me. You can go to the movies, exercise, or anything that you find enjoyable.

  • Anniehere
    Anniehere Member Posts: 1,263

    I have a method that helps me in stressful situations.

    I think about what is bothering me, what I am afraid of, etc. then i think about the result.

    For example, I have an appointment with the doctor and I am scared of X, my anxiety paralyzes me and I am stressed. what i do is thinking about the end of that meeting. I'm not thinking too much about what is going to happen but i just remind myself that it will end up fast and then I'm out of there. i also like to come up with an attitude like: "It's not as horrible as it seems. It's just in my head".

    Your way of thinking is the key when it comes to stress and fear. i always come to that conclusion in life.

  • AnneBonny
    AnneBonny Member, Alpha Surveyor Posts: 2,252

    you've all been extremely helpful, thank you <3

  • Mandy
    Mandy Administrator, Dev, Community Manager Posts: 22,916

    Definitely exercise for me, running, swimming or kick boxing in particular. It helps to clear my mind of what is troubling me and think straight, trying to solve the issue, coming up with alternative solutions etc.

    Also weirdly, writing down what the issue is has helped a lot - for some reason when I see it in writing I'm able to focus better and attempt to solve the cause of the stress and release it from going around and around in my head and preventing me from sleeping. I, however, tend to not do these things quick enough and spend a few days stressing on things before taking action, which is a pretty bad habit that I've developed over the years and my sleep is terrible as a result - can't switch that brain off in the nights.

  • Clevite
    Clevite Member Posts: 4,335

    Yoga and Meditation for stress. And lifting weights is a great release of stressors.

  • TacitusKilgore
    TacitusKilgore Member Posts: 1,380

    Thats the funny thing, i don't.


  • I_am_Negan
    I_am_Negan Member Posts: 3,756

    Pets (Dog or cat would help the most.)

    Go for a walk in the park

    Fishing

  • Hoodied
    Hoodied Member Posts: 13,018

    I can give healthy ways, as some of mine are not the best ways to deal with stress


    Find something that relaxes you

    Do something you really love to do

    Exercise tends to help like walking, jogging, etc

    Try drawing, drawing can be pretty relaxing

  • GoodBoyKaru
    GoodBoyKaru Member Posts: 22,745

    I... don't really deal with it well. Usually it bottles up, and I procrastinate doing the task in order to avoid feeling stressed now.

    Go out with, or even just call up, some friends. Believe me, it's a major relief. Take your mind off of the bad things and focus on the present, and how you don't need to worry about things just yet.

    Music is a godsend. Listen to music. Find a band/genre that helps you and just vibe.

    Writing down your feelings can help a lot. Just let things out into a personal space only you can read, and probably won't even do so. Acknowledging your issues is the first step to solving them.

    Look at cute things, if that's your thing. Find something that helps (for me, it's watching videos of tiny kittens attempting to copy their dads and jump across kitchen cupboards before falling onto a pillow and the dad rushes down to make sure they're okay, for example) and roll with it.

  • Bennett_They1Them
    Bennett_They1Them Member Posts: 2,513

    life stress: Music for me (being a musician) - playing or listening.

    DBD stress: getting into character

    other stress: exercise

    first thoughts.

  • Dr_Loomis
    Dr_Loomis Member Posts: 3,703

    When I was younger I used to play the trumpet, but I lost interest when I got married.

  • Reydussen99
    Reydussen99 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2021

    Video games help me relieve stress. I prefer various online shooters, as well as games with great storytelling, such as RDR2, also sometimes I play here https://casinopinup1.ru/ . It also helps me calm down, especially after a stressful day. Well as all this is necessary without a cup of green tea.

    Post edited by Reydussen99 on
  • DCh4rlie
    DCh4rlie Member Posts: 66

    I've had really bad stress during this semesters exams followed by bad anxiety while waiting for exam results.

    Exercising (swimming in particular) helped me a lot. I usually go to the sauna after that aswell to relax even more. Good thing about exercising is that I also tend to sleep better afterwards.

    Another thing is good food. I think it depends on the person what kind of food they prefer but I personally like a warm, hearty broth (Ramen).

  • Animal_Mother
    Animal_Mother Member Posts: 149

    My job(s) are pretty stressful at times (physician/business owner). I'm usually pretty resilient, but I try to wind down sometimes through exercise, meditation, and other relaxation techniques (like progressive muscle relaxation). I'm not much of a drinker, but sometimes, a few mixed drinks seem to do the trick pretty well, too.

  • Squirrel_Thicc
    Squirrel_Thicc Member Posts: 2,677

    I scream, cry, and throw up. Works every time.

  • yobuddd
    yobuddd Member Posts: 2,259

    For me it’s all about distracting my mind. I’ve always been a gamer, but not necessarily competitive. If I wanna relax, I play. BUT, and I can’t stress this enough, I play single-player games!

    Lately I’ve been into Days Gone and Mechwarrior 5.

    Though when I really want to mellow out, nothing beats Farming Simulator. Mellow music, beautiful scenery, Idyllic gameplay, and yet still challenging with many opportunities to feel accomplished! I’ve already put in my preorder for Farming Simulator 22 that comes out next month!

    All of this is for PS4 btw.

    I also reaaaaallly enjoy solving Nonogram puzzles (aka Griddlers). Loads of websites and apps out there if you wanna try them. Seriously, don’t give up immediately. They seem hard at first, but it doesn’t take too much time to realize what to do. “Nonograms Katana” is my favorite app for this, but it’s also kinda technical, so you might wanna start with some freemium app that has a nice tutorial.

    Anyway, that’s what works for me!