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02-13-2007, 02:29 AM
| | Ex-moderator
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: May 2003 Location: دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة, دبيّ
Posts: 3,131
| | | Dealing with stress
Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with stress and help me relax a bit more?
Lately I've been feeling seriously stressed out about, well, everything in my life and it's starting to make me feel really rotten. I just feel so tense all the time and the only time my heart rate is probably ever normal is the first minute or so after I wake up and my brain hasn't had time to start working.
I'm not really having any problems sleeping, it's just that during the day everything seems to be much more stressful than it needs to be. If anyone could share how they destress themselves that would be really appreciated. |
02-13-2007, 02:42 AM
|  | Senior Member | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vermont, 50 miles from nowhere
Posts: 2,416
| | | The thing I've found that works for me, is physical activity. I work out 3-5 times a week and walk or ride(weather permitting)every day. This has helped level out the "out of control feeling" that stress brings on. It really helps me clear my mind and relax. The "over the top" stress moments are much easier to manage and are fewer.
Good luck to you.
__________________
Val
Take care of your body. Where else are you going to live? |
02-13-2007, 02:52 AM
| | Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 108
| | | I play video games. With lots of explosions and shooting. Makes me feel better to blow up some innocent pixels. Or I go for a long walk if I can.
__________________
"I reject your reality and substitute my own"- Adam Savage MythBuster
A1C 6.7 |
02-13-2007, 03:01 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lower Templestowe, Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 2,983
| | | I find it helps to chat to a friend, someone you can have a real rant to, and who wont take it personally if it sometimes seems like you are mad at them.
Otherwise writing is my great escape... I often write something... a letter, poem, story, essay (yep! I have been known to wrote essays when I dont have to!), then burn it...
Mind you, I always regret burning it afterwards, but its pretty theraputic...
Classical music... something to match your mood... that helps me...
And, as a last resort, if I am REALLY stressed, a run. mp3 player on, turned up loud, and run.
__________________
For the eyes are signs of the soul within
Of the heart that is real, and true
- A.B. "Banjo" Paterson |
02-13-2007, 04:24 AM
| | Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North UK
Posts: 479
| | | Modern life seems to be full of stress one way and another as we are all under increasing time related deadlines in most aspect of our lives.
Stress can be an downward spiral, you get put under pressure and get stressed and then you are stressed about being stressed.
Its also important to realise that stress will not go away overnight, it takes time to build up and so also takes time to go away, don't be afraid to seek help because there are sympahtetic doctors out there.
There is no one cure all for everyone, most of my battle was won by realising what was causing me problems and learning to cope with them and to a certain extent ignore some of them. Also I have learned to push back and not take on too much by letting others 'put on me' - its true what they say those who want something doing will ask a busy person! Tell them you will do it but can't until next tomorrow/next week etc its amazing how many never come back and ask again.
When I get stressed I take time out, walk away from the source of stress (usually work related!!) and go and do something else for a while, I find insignificant meaningless things help me re-focus.
Talking to others can be a great help and its weird because you often find yourself pouring it all out to the most unlikely people, a problem shared is a problem halved I guess.
For me regular excercise is a real stress buster, currently I am laid up post operative and unable to even think about any of the usual excercises I normally do and its making me a little blue.
__________________
"Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein 1879 - 1955 |
02-13-2007, 05:41 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: CT
Posts: 4,588
| | Join the club! I know what you mean... it's been rough for me lately too. All I can tell you is that you aren't alone... many feel that way.
I find working out helps me deal with some of my stress too... And also venting here help as well! You'd be surprised at how much venting can help  . I always feel better once I got some of it off my chest..
Hope things improve for you soon 
__________________ I’ve faced myself
To cross out what I’ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what I’ve done
Put to rest
What you thought of me
Well I cleaned this slate
With the hands
Of uncertainty
So let mercy come
And wash away
What I’ve done
I’ve faced myself
To cross out what I’ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what I’ve done
Linkin Park~ "What I've Done"  |
02-13-2007, 06:14 AM
|  | Super Moderator
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 7,244
| | | I think we all have times when life becomes "just too much." For me, when this happens, I just need something to help me escape from all the **** that's caused the stress in the first place...maybe you could take a "mental health day" from work and just "veg." If you're in the mood to hang with friends, go for it...if not, find a good murder/suspense novel and lose yourself in it..or watch a stupid TV show, just for fun. So many times, we get so busy with day to day life that we forget to just enjoy ourselves...find something you really like to do and take time to do it. Main thing is to realize that "this too will pass." Though stress sometimes feels like it's going to be constant, things WILL get better. Just be gentle with yourself until it does.
__________________ T2, diagnosed 8/31/06.
Byetta 5 mcg
HCTZ 12.5 mg every other day for BP
Enalapril 20 mg 1 daily (ace-inhibitor)
Lower carb dieter (approx. 75 total carbs/day, more on weekends), taking chromium, multivitamin and fish oil tablets Initial A1C 8/06: 9.6
11/06: 6.2.
03/07: 5.3
06/07: 5.4
10/07: 5.3
05/08: 6.2 (right after dealing with shingles and bronchitis)  |
02-13-2007, 06:37 AM
|  | Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 348
| | | I also go thru stress regarding this alien that has invaded my body...try the above suggestions or you can do as I do at times - stand in front of a mirror and making stupid faces, mentally aiming them to the 'alien' LOL...no seriously I have been caught doing this, my husband thinks I am a total idiot, but then the look on his face seeing my face just hits me so funny, laughter is a great stress reliever ....try not to allow stress to 'rent your mind for free' |
02-13-2007, 06:47 AM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 1,767
| | For me it depends. Some days just having some "down-time" helps - watching a movie, reading a book, etc. Other times getting exercise is a good stress reliever. One thing that really helps me is yoga. Are you "man enough" to try yoga? 
__________________
~ Bethany ~
Type 1 since I was 3 (1981) - 26 years now
Pumping as of Sept. 13, 2007 - Paradigm 522 with NovoRapid (Novolog)
(Previously on Levemir and Humalog)
CGMS as of Apr. 2008
Laser treatments (scatter) on both eyes - Jul. 4, 2007-Sept. 12, 2007 |
02-13-2007, 07:05 AM
| | Junior Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 77
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by DeusXM  Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with stress and help me relax a bit more? | Lately I've been feeling seriously stressed out about, well, everything in my life and it's starting to make me feel really rotten. I just feel so tense all the time and the only time my heart rate is probably ever normal is the first minute or so after I wake up and my brain hasn't had time to start working.
I'm not really having any problems sleeping, it's just that during the day everything seems to be much more stressful than it needs to be. If anyone could share how they destress themselves that would be really appreciated. HAVE A CHOCOLATE PARTY!!! WORKS FOR ME!!! LOL 
__________________ 
Last edited by Harold : 02-13-2007 at 12:55 PM.
Reason: fixed quote
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02-13-2007, 08:09 AM
| | Member
I am a: Type 2 | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 362
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by DeusXM Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with stress and help me relax a bit more?
| I started taking tai chi to help me learn to relax. I also like to go get a massage at least once a quarter.
It's amazing how much tension you can carry in your body. To the point where you need to learn to relax some, just so you can realize how tense you really STILL are. (if that makes sense). |
02-13-2007, 08:11 AM
|  | Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 484
| | | Exercise always works for me! You can pump some iron or just run for a half hour or so.
__________________
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!!!
I try so hard to stay positive...I know that I wouldn't have had the life that I've had without it. The bad or the good.
Current Treatment
Animas 1250 Insulin Pump
High Fiber, mid carb diet.
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02-13-2007, 11:05 AM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rotherham, United Kingdom.
Posts: 30
| | | Alcohol.... |
02-13-2007, 02:48 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,043
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by belyro For me it depends. Some days just having some "down-time" helps - watching a movie, reading a book, etc. Other times getting exercise is a good stress reliever. One thing that really helps me is yoga. Are you "man enough" to try yoga? | Me too. Everything during the day for me is go go go go go and no time to stop and smell the flowers, so I still struggle with stress during the daytime. But come evening time or weekend, it's all about the down time, whether it is 100% me-time (reading, movie, doing absolutely nothing but daydreaming) or physical activity (kickboxing is awesome for the super high stress days and yoga is great for the less stressful days... otherwise I cannot concentrate).
__________________
T1 16 years, on Lantus, Apidra and Regular.
"Nothing shocks me. I'm a scientist." |
02-13-2007, 06:08 PM
|  | Senior Member
I am a: Type 1 | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 776
| | I guess it depends on what types of things are stressing you out. For me it is usually work, so I find it helpful to set limits. I say to myself "I am leaving work at 5" and I leave. I also set limits on the amount of home time and mental energy that I can spend on work... Just setting aside a few hours that are "off limits" helps a lot. And yeah, a beer or a glass of wine is usually involved in the unwinding.
__________________
That would be a good thing for them to cut on my tombstone: Wherever she went, including here, it was against her better judgment.
- Dorothy Parker
T1 18 years
26 years old
Minimed Paradigm 522... yay!
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