Stress and How You Deal With It

[Torrey]

Hey all,

I hate to admit it, but I've been away from the board for a little while due to some issues in my personal life. As a result, I have been extremely stressed out and anxious, and my diet has suffered. Now, this is not to say that I have strayed from a GF diet. I just have not been eating or sleeping very well.

I have been hurt, betrayed, and taken advantage of, and am working every day to try to rebuild my trust in others. I thought I missed my ex (it's still so weird to say that), until I recently discovered what he is really like...it actually scares me, to be quite honest with you.

Though I am working through it and each day is a new one, I was curious to see how you all deal with stress, whether it just be the stress of everyday life, or if it has been the result of an unfortunate event.

I am taking kick-boxing every Tuesday night, which is AWESOME and I absolutely love the class. I rejoined the gym about a month and a half ago, but due to this break-up, my energy level has been a bit kaput.

Thanks all--I have missed you guys--you're the best!
_________________
~Torrey

August 24, 1975
GF BD July 12, 2004

[mchess]

We missed you torrey. Glad to see you are back. I have to say even though i have not done this in the past ....joining something you really enjoy (like your class ) I heard is a very positive step when you are down and stressed out. I should practice what I preach cause I am down and out right now. I know what you mean about a breakup. I have been there at one time. I am sure we all have at one time or another. I am going through some serious ups and downs right now in my life. I am sure no one is interested with what I am stuggling with.....so I will say it has to do with the "Same Old Same Old stuff. ever been there? LOL I am glead to see you have already started something positve. You sound like a postive person. Maybe you didn't realize you already might be on the right track.
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Melissa

[Noatak]

Sorry to hear you are having a hard time, Torrey, but there isn't one person in this human rat race who hasn't had a similar experience so we can well imagine how you feel. Your question is an excellent one though and I think that any type of physical exercise is probably one of the best ways to burn off steam that's building up. I like to hike in the woods with the husband and dog and just absorb the peace and nature. I come out at the end of the hike all rejuvinated so it does help. That, and a real love for pinot grigio wine, really seem to do the trick! Kickboxing sounds like good fun too and when angry, must really go a long way to make you feel better.

When I was a younger woman, I had a short first marriage that turned into a disaster. The guy ended up stalking me and threatened to kill me many times over until I decided I wasn't going to put up with his crap anymore. So I know how it feels to be totally betrayed by someone who claims to have loved you. However......it will get much, much better as time goes on and you'll reach the point where it won't affect you anymore. It takes a little time but life will certainly improve for you as you have a good attitude and seem to be a well balanced person. Hang in there and keep up the kickboxing! Better yet...go have some of that GF pizza that you have in NY!

[cruelshoes]

Glad to see you back, Torrey. Sorry you are still having a rough time. Here are some ways I deal with stress. Some of them are weird, I know, but they really do make me feel better.

- Housecleaning - If I am really stressed out, I will dust and do laundry like a fiend. I think it's something about having control over my environment, even if I can't have control over anything else.

- Donate to the second hand store - If I can take a great big bag of stuff that is cluttering up my life to the Goodwill or something, it makes me feel better. Maybe it helps me feel grateful for what I have, maybe it makes me feel rich since I have so much to give away.

- Go for a walk outside - Sometimes hard here in the rainy northwest, but it really does clear my head.

- Read something with absolutely no redeeming social qualities - something like People magazine. I have no idea why this makes me feel better, but it does.

- Eat chocolate - This one is self explanatory. But good dark chocolate, not the cheap stuff

- Exercise - I use my eliptical trainer a lot on stressed out days. Especially after I eat all the chocolate.

Hope this helps. I have always wanted to try kickboxing. Maybe after this pregnancy is over...
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
9-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters have negative bloodwork - so far!

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[mrsppmrxky]

[Torrey]

Thanks all for your replies!

I am doing my best to take care of me! And my faithful kitty has proven to be the most wonderful companion. She's my little munchkin and takes very good care of her mommy.

I have been trying to keep busy, which is good, because I am one of those people that just cannot sit still! I had my mom over on Oscar night and we ate Thai food and hung up some of my pictures. (Yes, I know...I have been in my house for a little over a year and I am still working on getting stuff on the walls! )

My new project is the kitchen, so I went out this weekend in search of new appliances and cabinets...I have a basic idea of what I want, but I need to move some things around, so I'm going to need someone to draw up some ideas...bit by bit, my house is coming together!!
_________________
~Torrey

August 24, 1975
GF BD July 12, 2004

[Judy]

Torrey take care of yourself , remember YOU ARE WORTH IT! (((HUGS)))
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Judy

[TenKLady]

Torrey, I'm sorry to hear that you are going through some rough times right now. The way I deal with stress is to exercise. I either go for a run, or go to the gym and do cardio and lift weights. Even if I don't feel like exercising, I always feel better afterwards. If I'm working out hard, I have to concentrate on what I'm doing and don't think about what's causing me to be stressed.

Laura

[Kathie]

While you are out shopping you could pick up a punching bag. Its great exercise and a great frustration buster. Both my Mothers therapist and the one my step-son had after the divorce highly recommended either a punching bag, or my step-son had a specific pillow he used, it is a great way to release the pent up anger when it overwhelms you. After my divorce I did a lot of pillow punching myself and a good scream works also, as long as you don't frighten the neighbors. Just remember you deserve to find Mr. Right and you can't find him if you are stuck with Mr. Not Right for Me, No Way, Good By and Good Riddance
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CD by Biopsy 3/25/88

[NickisDragon]

When the stress gets to be too much, I like to use movies to remind myself that the good guys sometimes win. Two of my favorites are Willie Wonka and Dirty Dancing. Sometimes a "cleansing ritual" is in order.
Write the names or titles of whatever is causing your problems on a sheet of toilet paper and float it on the water. Take a good cleansing dump on top of it and flush. You'd be surprised at how much better you feel.
_________________
The Love we withhold is the pain that we carry.
Nicki

B-Day: January 18
DX: October 2005

[The Edifying Conscience]

[Torrey]

Oh, Nicki--you just made me laugh out loud at my desk!
That is an interesting (and creative!) suggestion!

Thanks all--I am feeling much better now.
The funeral for John's father was yesterday, and it was a good source of closure for me. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, but I went out of respect for his father and I really felt like the better person, if that makes any sense.

Ah, now on to bigger and better things!!! I'm taking time out for myself right now and am just working on keeping myself busy and knowing that I am much better off without him.

I went to kick-boxing class on Tuesday and it was terrific--worked up a good sweat and had a great workout! I definitely recommend it!!!
_________________
~Torrey

August 24, 1975
GF BD July 12, 2004

[aklap]

[Torrey]

Hey there,

Yes, while I truly enjoy my kick-boxing class, I can honestly tell you all that I will not be meeting the man of my dreams there...the class is all female!
And it's not because it is a women-only class--it's through the community school, so whoever wants to sign up for the classes can...I guess there are just more chicks in my area who need to get their aggression out on Tuesday nights.
_________________
~Torrey

August 24, 1975
GF BD July 12, 2004