Question: Stress-tober....A lot is going on in my...

Im the type of person to stress easily, and not always over important things. It seems like my mind just keeps running no matter what i try. What ive found that works for me is hiking, swimming, or even just taking the dog for a walk. Also, i journal about whats on my mind, and usually that helps to kinda get it out there so i can focus on something else. Also, i have found that the serenity prayer helps out alot. I just keep repeating it to myself until i feel more relaxed. it goes ' God, grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, courage to change the things i can, and the wisdom to know the difference.' its short, simple and when im stressing, i just repeat it silently in my head until i am able to relax. Its worth a shot and much better than the way most people deal with stress(self medicating with drugs or alcohol etc). If you have the ability to, you can also speak with a therapist, they always have good de-stressing techniques and being able to talk things out with someone who is un biased and easy to talk to helps tremendously. They help you come up with ideas of how to fix situations, or just plain get to the point where your not always thinking about it.

Hi there,
I am sorry for you that you are suffering from stress as I know it is hard to cope with.

Why not try Yoga? Yoga's a great stress reliever.

Also, if shool works really stressing you out. Try to organise your work and get a system.

I hope your stressfree soon.

When I get stressed or flustered I take a long, swift, walk. It gives me time to think, and clear out
the cobwebs. Things are clearer and I feel much better after a good sweat. It is a win, win...

What i like to do, and this may or may not work for you is wake up and have some chamomile or lavender tea, sitting by myself in either my bedroom, or in the kitchen, the steamy beverage and the silence gives me a good hour to just think about what i need to do during the day, after that take a warm shower, and use some bodywash that you love the smell of... i find that anything warm like that helps...

Next if you live in a city, or a large enough town, i would go to a beauty salon and book yourself in for a hot stone massage, or a back facial... both of those things are extremely relaxing to me... that or a pedicure or manicure... You could get your hair done too... all of those things make you feel refreshed and good about yourself. Sometimes something small helps you deal with the bigger things.

Have you tried talking to anyone about the loss of your grandmother? It's hard to get over the loss of someone close to you... for me it helps to talk to a close friend, or use a free help line, such as kids help phone.. sometimes just having someone to talk to who doesn't know who you are and won't be able to judge you, can be very helpful...

Hope this helps *hugs*
~Ray

i'm having this right now. for the chest pains, try getting out of the house and going somewhere calming, and away from people if you can. my favourite things to do are to take a long bath, have some tea, and paint my nails and do the whole prettyfication thing. walks are also really good, just aimless wandering while you sort through things in your head. everyone's ideas sound really good, especially the colouring thing, i've gotta try that. take time out to focus on you and you alone. turn off your phone, disconnect your internet, whatever. and just breathe.
i'm sorry about your grandmother. her death won't break your bond, for she still lives in your heart. think about the upcoming Dia de los Muertos, where the lives of loved ones who have passed on are celebrated, and celebrate her life in any little way you can, even if it's something little and simple. was there something you used to do together? or maybe try making her favourite food or something? sorry, i've never experienced that kind of dreadful loss, and don't really know what to say.

something i do to release stress is, going running.
normally by myself, but i occasionally take my dog along.
hey, you can talk to them when you do it,
as long as people around aren't watching and thinking you're crazy. lol
and it's also a great way to get your exercise (running of course, not talking to the dog)
it gives you time to just get away from everyone.

ps. The book has specific instructions on the correct way to breathe and how to retrain yourself specifically to avoid hyperventilation syndrome symptoms, and i really do recommend having a read, it may even be in your library.

Hi there,

Sounds like you may have a stress-related condition called Hyperventilation Syndrome, (a ridiculous name, as i am sure you are not panting or gasping from stress lol). A lot of the population have this and are not aware of it, or aware of the symptoms. Basically it is about the way we breathe under stress. Moving too much air through your chest (similar to when you are really panicking or fighting for survival) can cause sharp chest wall pains that can even feel similar to a heart attack and can spread to your arm and back. it also disrupts the oxygen/nitrogen balance in your blood (or something similar). I would recommend googling it as I can't remember all the details and I can't remember the name of the book that the doctor gave to me, however the main thing is regulating your breathing and using your stomach NOT your chest to breathe.. a lot of women find this difficult as cultural norms make as prone to sucking our tummies in.. I went through a similar stage myself and found re-learning how to breathe a difficult but ultimately very helpful procedure... you will get through it! here are two sites which are quite helpful http://www.familydoctor.co.nz/conditions.asp?A=32893&category_name=
and http://ezinearticles.com/?Hyperventilation-Syndrome&id=2542692 also i think the book may have been Hyperventilation Syndrome/Breathing Pattern Disorders. Dinah Bradley (Random House 2007.)3rd edition.) (Kyle Cathie UK 2006) Seriously, check it out because it may just be the answer to your problems:) also, try appreciating each day, wake up, look out your window and thank god that you are alive and that you have a whole new day to take part in:) hope this helps, good luck xx

wow i'm lovin all these ideas people came up with so i guess ima just elaborate on the ideas that were already said.
ruth ortiz mentioned doing your hair and your eyebrows or whatever you gotta do that makes you feel confident which i call sexifying yourself. i feel like doin that right now because i had a terrible day. i think it does make you feel better because you feel more confident and happy with yourself and it distracts you from your stressers. a few people also mentioned shopping which also helps...spoiling yourself once in a while is okay. even just going out to buy one thing like a pair of shoes, a milkshake, some necklace you had your eye on...can take your mind off things and make you feel happy. i think lots of people find shopping helps because in order to shop you have to walk (lots of people mentioned taking walks) and taking a walk clears your head and exercise releases endorphins which make you feel good :)
a few other people mentioned tea and yeah i'm sure tea helps especially st.johnswort tea but i read something that said you shouldnt have st.johns wort if you take antidepressants..so hopefully you don't.
i think a shower would help too. or a bath! when you take your shower or bath visualize it cleansing you and having all your stress and baggage going down the drain with the water.
i noticed a couple peeps mentioned dancing too which is also good because it releases endorphins and listening to music always makes somebody feel better :)
as for your grandma, my mom goes through a similar thing...her close friend died around this month, so she gets very emotional at this time. just know that your grandma doesn't want you to be stressed or upset or sad, and she's very proud of you and of course misses you too. although she isn't tangible anymore and you can't actually see or feel her, she will always be there for you and love is intangible as well :)

ok simply put breath get at least 8-10 hours of sleep a night take your vitamins especially vit c b12 and a b complex drink lots of water and find one activity a day that will help you unwind try reading a book and sipping some hot chamomile tea or peppermint tea it will help if you let it also feverfew is a good herbal calming solution