Managing stress
- Thread starter Nick_S
- Start date
ShaunWistow
WAWAW
It's a difficult one, I'm on a phased return back to work after having a breakdown 6months ago with anxiety & depression. I had CBT therapy which has helped. Do you know what's causing the stress? When you feel really stressed, stop what you're doing (easier said than done) & do something you enjoy for as long as you can. Try a new hobby, in your case why not make your own shaving products?
Burgundy
Forum GOD!
Exercise. Meditate in a nice, low-pressure environment. I find running out of town and into the countryside therapeutic and less of a chore than going to the gym. Similarly, there are few more therapeutic forms of exercise than using an empty swimming pool - go early or late.
Meditate. I try to find ten minutes in a day to do this - often taking myself off somewhere for a break during the working day. I used the Headspace app on my phone for a long time and still use it to guide meditations when needed - especially if anxious. I intend, at some point, to have a go at yoga.
Control your impulses. I now recognise that if I'm opening (and emptying) a bottle of wine on a Tuesday evening, I'm probably using alcohol as a clutch. Ditto to splurging on unnecessary and impulsive blind shaving-related buys. I try to log and catalogue when I need to wrestle back control and I find that this helps me to feel more 'on top' of life.
Talk to someone. If the stress is work-related, work out who you could flag it to. You obviously need to tread carefully on that front. Talk to your family. Talk to a close friend. If it's manifesting itself in physical symptoms, talk to a GP. Consider private counselling.
Fundamentally, you need to tackle the stress at source - but you already know that.
Meditate. I try to find ten minutes in a day to do this - often taking myself off somewhere for a break during the working day. I used the Headspace app on my phone for a long time and still use it to guide meditations when needed - especially if anxious. I intend, at some point, to have a go at yoga.
Control your impulses. I now recognise that if I'm opening (and emptying) a bottle of wine on a Tuesday evening, I'm probably using alcohol as a clutch. Ditto to splurging on unnecessary and impulsive blind shaving-related buys. I try to log and catalogue when I need to wrestle back control and I find that this helps me to feel more 'on top' of life.
Talk to someone. If the stress is work-related, work out who you could flag it to. You obviously need to tread carefully on that front. Talk to your family. Talk to a close friend. If it's manifesting itself in physical symptoms, talk to a GP. Consider private counselling.
Fundamentally, you need to tackle the stress at source - but you already know that.
Batch300
Extraordinarily Uncomplicated
First, if the stress creates medical issues like breathing difficulty, faster heart rate, blood pressure, stomach distress, mood changes like fear or anger, etc. -- see a medical professional.
Non-medical way would be to reduce the factors that cause stress. Is there some pattern to getting stressed - time of day, event, certain people, a new medicine or supplement, certain foods, today's news, not buying the newest razor, etc. Maybe keep a log.
Many simple techniques to help relieve the stress. For me, 1) Yoga like technique - close eyes and specific breathing 2) fidget spinners (actually have helped me)
Non-medical way would be to reduce the factors that cause stress. Is there some pattern to getting stressed - time of day, event, certain people, a new medicine or supplement, certain foods, today's news, not buying the newest razor, etc. Maybe keep a log.
Many simple techniques to help relieve the stress. For me, 1) Yoga like technique - close eyes and specific breathing 2) fidget spinners (actually have helped me)
pjgh
Forum GOD!
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding it manifesting itself in other ways by halting the drink. Stress plus alcohol is literally a killer!
Keep healthy otherwise - simple, good food (let's not get into the specifics of diets, but anything not in a box is going to be good), avoid stressors like sugar, so drink simple water, tea (there's a world of it out there and a good thread on this forum), take light exercise whatever the weather and whatever else is going on - a simple walk will do wonders, try to improve your sleep by removing all tech from the bedroom, avoid computer and TV for an hour before bed and perhaps light up candles to wind down. Essential oil burner? Lavender is good for sleep, Melissa is a good mood oil. It works ... it does. Take up a new sport? There'll be a fencing club near you with a beginners intake soon enough
Most importantly, tackle the stress - this is difficult. This is very difficult. Writing it down, talking to a fictional ear, talking to a real ear; vocalised or written, it can be tackled but take your time and give your body the best chance of keeping going while you deal with it. Eat well, rest well, play well and sleep well.
Go easy! I mean that < re-read that. Go easy! Lighten your load wherever you can.
Keep healthy otherwise - simple, good food (let's not get into the specifics of diets, but anything not in a box is going to be good), avoid stressors like sugar, so drink simple water, tea (there's a world of it out there and a good thread on this forum), take light exercise whatever the weather and whatever else is going on - a simple walk will do wonders, try to improve your sleep by removing all tech from the bedroom, avoid computer and TV for an hour before bed and perhaps light up candles to wind down. Essential oil burner? Lavender is good for sleep, Melissa is a good mood oil. It works ... it does. Take up a new sport? There'll be a fencing club near you with a beginners intake soon enough
Most importantly, tackle the stress - this is difficult. This is very difficult. Writing it down, talking to a fictional ear, talking to a real ear; vocalised or written, it can be tackled but take your time and give your body the best chance of keeping going while you deal with it. Eat well, rest well, play well and sleep well.
Go easy! I mean that < re-read that. Go easy! Lighten your load wherever you can.
Godfather
Forum GOD!
To add to some great advice already mentioned. In my work I often turn to a bit of mindfulness/meditate. One thing that can help from an on the spot perspective is to focus on you breathing and I mean really focus. How your lungs are feeling, how long between breaths, how long are your breaths. The thing is that the human brain can be tricked into focusing on core body functions rather than the other thoughts one may have. Something I also use and teach when shooting very long range. That being said it takes practice...
DamianJ
Forum GOD!
Interesting reading. I'm increasingly feeling stressed at work and have tried to put things in place to prevent it escalating. I flagged it to my manager and attended a mindfulness workshop.
Did it help? Not sure, but the ideas are good and wrote similar to meditation I've experienced before. It's just a case of not forgetting to put it into action.
I found admitting it in itself made me feel a bit better about things and having experience of other people being more affected than I made me want to try preventing it escalating.
I'll certainly be taking this thread with interest. Hope you find something that works for you.
Did it help? Not sure, but the ideas are good and wrote similar to meditation I've experienced before. It's just a case of not forgetting to put it into action.
I found admitting it in itself made me feel a bit better about things and having experience of other people being more affected than I made me want to try preventing it escalating.
I'll certainly be taking this thread with interest. Hope you find something that works for you.
Wayne
Forum Sod
If it is work related I do not think it can be managed successfully. Employers want more and more from employees. Targets are constantly raised and expectations are high. You can only do your best I fear with some employers it isn't good enough. I envy people who enjoy their job.
p.b
Forum GOD!
This is not true. Stressful situations do not necessarily cause anxiety and distress for the person. It's all about how the individual manages that themselves. I've been attending the Priory for stress management - during the sessions I've met retirees, low grade workers and a director of an investment bank. It's not the 'work' that makes us ill, it's how we react to it. Stress can be managed. I now have a far more responsible job with far greater exposure to senior management but I feel far less stressed (still not zen-like though!)
Nick, it's really difficult to learn how to manage stress. In my opinion, if it's long term build-up of stress then counselling / group therapy works. If it's short-term because of the lay-off you mentioned then exercise, a difficult jigsaw, yoga and meditation can help.
Last edited:
Wayne
Forum Sod
Obviously it is down to the individual but when senior management foster a culture of constant change and and a target driven work environment where they only want to hit the numbers then stress in the workplace is difficult to deal with. Nobody wants an idle workforce but senior management must look for a happy medium.
MPH
Forum GOD!
@Nick_S
This is a difficult one, as stress has so many drivers, but as mentioned largely it depends on how you filter and deal with these emotions\situations.
I don't know if this question is asked in relation to a low level, short term stress situation or a larger issue. The lower level stuff is discussed above, but regarding more serious situations I will just say that sometimes of course things are simply too much to deal with, and this could happen to anyone. At this point it's perfectly natural and sensible to seek proper help from professionals as a) we are only human and can only deal with so much, and b) they could organise time off work etc that may be a main driver to getting over the situation your in, c) they can put you in contact with others that could help.
I myself suffered a period of stress due to a very serious unforeseen illness suffered by my wife around a year and a half ago. We had 3 children, one only 10 months old when she was whisked into hospital for a few weeks with a condition that could have proved fatal. My work (civil service) gave me 24 hours to find childcare arrangements and then insisted I have "got my hours done" and suggested I clocked on at night when the children were sleeping!!! After a week or two for the first time ever I hit a point that I knew I just couldn't handle everything. I saw a doctor and put on stress leave and this allowed me to keep afloat until she was back home. The day I returned to work I handed in my notice to leave. My wife is now (fingers crossed) well, and we have our own business that is doing well.
Sorry for the sprawl, but as mentioned I don't know your situation. If it's a low level, then sorry for derailing your thread, but if it's a serious situation don't worry. The most important thing to remember is that stress could happen to ANYONE. It's not unusual, you're not the first and I'm sure you'll get through it. Sometimes it can even trigger life changes that work out for the best!
Either way, good luck.
This is a difficult one, as stress has so many drivers, but as mentioned largely it depends on how you filter and deal with these emotions\situations.
I don't know if this question is asked in relation to a low level, short term stress situation or a larger issue. The lower level stuff is discussed above, but regarding more serious situations I will just say that sometimes of course things are simply too much to deal with, and this could happen to anyone. At this point it's perfectly natural and sensible to seek proper help from professionals as a) we are only human and can only deal with so much, and b) they could organise time off work etc that may be a main driver to getting over the situation your in, c) they can put you in contact with others that could help.
I myself suffered a period of stress due to a very serious unforeseen illness suffered by my wife around a year and a half ago. We had 3 children, one only 10 months old when she was whisked into hospital for a few weeks with a condition that could have proved fatal. My work (civil service) gave me 24 hours to find childcare arrangements and then insisted I have "got my hours done" and suggested I clocked on at night when the children were sleeping!!! After a week or two for the first time ever I hit a point that I knew I just couldn't handle everything. I saw a doctor and put on stress leave and this allowed me to keep afloat until she was back home. The day I returned to work I handed in my notice to leave. My wife is now (fingers crossed) well, and we have our own business that is doing well.
Sorry for the sprawl, but as mentioned I don't know your situation. If it's a low level, then sorry for derailing your thread, but if it's a serious situation don't worry. The most important thing to remember is that stress could happen to ANYONE. It's not unusual, you're not the first and I'm sure you'll get through it. Sometimes it can even trigger life changes that work out for the best!
Either way, good luck.
Hot baths, exercise (mainly swimming to drown out all noise) and reading are pastimes that help me relax. Everyone is different in their choices, however it seems difficult these days to find a quiet moment free from noise, light and hassle.
When I travelled to Iceland, I found the residents to be very serious when it comes to light pollution and sleep. First time I also experienced black out blinds. It helped a lot, waking up feeling a lot more relaxed and refreshed.
When I travelled to Iceland, I found the residents to be very serious when it comes to light pollution and sleep. First time I also experienced black out blinds. It helped a lot, waking up feeling a lot more relaxed and refreshed.