Under way too much stress- how can I deal with it?

Question

Ok, I'll be honest here and tell you my biggest source of stress is my job. And yes, I have been looking for another one for a few months now. Unfortunately, I am unable to take a drastic paycut, so I am not able to take the first one I find. My job makes me so stressed out that my IBS flares up, I have anxiety attacks, my chest is in a constant tightened ball, and even worse, it makes my heart skip all of the time. I can't even enjoy my days off. I tell myself that everything is ok and under control, but my body reacts differently. Anyone who has suffered from something similar knows what I am talking about. I would really love to not go on meds, so I'm seeking other ways to reduce my stress. I just feel like my life is a complete mess, and I'm so unaware of where I am heading and what I should do with it. Thanks for the feedback- serious answers only please.

Answer 1

on your day off go for a massage.Its not really expensive and it does wonders.Also you may want to see a therapist or join a consoling group.From some off your descriptions its sound like a mid-life crisis.I know it seems cliche to say but they really happen and generally when they do your body and mind suffer heavily because of it.Try yoga and pampering yourself as well.Bubble baths,quiet nights listening to music and most of all maybe a couple days off from work to relax..maybe catch the cold if you know what i mean ;)

Answer 2

I know what a stressing job could be like.
First of all, ask yourself: What is the reason for the anxiety you experience?
losing my job?
losing my reputation?
not perform as I need to?
disappoint someone or yourself?

After you answered this question - things may look differently.
Almost every job is not a life or death matter. So you can allow yourself to take more breaks, eat something sweet while you are working and start making you job easier for you. You can also try (if this is an office enviroment) to play low volume calm music that you brought from home.

The thing with anxieties, that you need to be careful. A lot of anxieties tend to turn to something bigger and this is why I would recommend leaving this stressing job because this is your health we're talking about. It's exactly like any other illness, and if this job is making you feel like you described, this is very serious.

Another thing that crossed my mind: Have you ever thought of consulting your boss about it?

About medication - I wouldn't recommend. Medication is for a situation where you'r not in control anymore. And you still have the control to leave.

If you decided not to immediately leave you job, try to consult a psychologist. But seriously, those symtoms you're describing are terrible and are a danger to your mental health.

Answer 3

Well, this answer may not be exactly what you are looking for, but I also work in a stressful environment, and I've found the best way to keep stress to a minimum is to offload as much of my worry as I can. The practical way that I do this, is by being as organized as possible. I have ADD, and I stay stressed unless I can keep as much as possible organized. The method I use is something that David Allen put together (a well known time management guy). His method is called GTD (Getting Things Done). The basic premise is that you offload all of the things that may pre-occupy your thoughts and create stress. The offloading is done through getting all of the important items, things to do, items to remember, etc..., out of your mind and into an organizational system (his of course). Although this has not been a magic bullet so to speak, it has done wonders for my ability to deal with my ADD in a corporate enviornment. There are a LOT of GTD resources on the web that relate to paper based systems, software, etc.... Check it out; it might help you too.

Answer 4

Is it really the job or the people you deal with? Is your stress making you less tolerant of others?
Your body is trying to get your attention. Listen to it! Pay cut or no pay cut- is it really worth putting your body, life & family thru this? Money is NOT everything. You are putting your trust in the wrong "things". I thought I was smarter and could handle it and now I'm disabled with heart issues- major drag. No opportunity to chase the almighty dollar now- I lost my health, job, savings, house, car and sweetie in less than 6 months-
I was not listening. Ignoring doesn't work.
The surest way to feel better fast- PRAY. Then listen for the answer. If you don't already know God- ask Him to show Himself. He will- probably not how you'd expect.. He has taken you to where you are so desparate you have no where else to turn. Let Him fix it. He, truly is the only One who can.
While I'm still disabled, I am one of the happiest people I know. I believe I will recover from this- but if I don't- oh well- God's got me covered and now that I'm listening the lessons aren't as painful. Good luck, Be blessed.

Answer 5

Could you take a short vacation?
A week or even for a weekend, 3 days. Just leave all your worries at home, get a massage, anything soothing.
When you're come back to work start posting resumes, work as usual but at the end of the day separate your life from work. It sounds hard to do it but it's worth it.
I used to work in a hospital, very stressful, it was hard and the emotional load of seeing people suffer was big. I was under so much stress and stressing my family as well, until I made a decision to separate my life from work. It works.

Answer 6

Well for one thing they do not always put you on medication, and you can even ask not to be put on medication. You are doing the right thing by looking for another job, but in the end you may have to take a cut in pay for a while, cause if you do not like the job you are in, well that is not going to help matters at all. You also need to learn to leave your job at work, and not bring it home with you. You need to go out with some close friends, and actually enjoy yourself, and just leave that job of yours at work. And quit thinking about it . Now none of this is easy, i know that and you know that, but you can work on the stress, and get a relief from it just by leaving it at work. Not bring it home with you. That is one of the number one problems that people seem to bring their work home with them, and all the problems from work, and that is not what they need to do. Remember there is not magic pill, nor is there a magic wond, so if you can not do this alone you may need to go and see a therapist and talk about it, cause they can surely help you, and even without medications. Sometimes they can even help you find the job that you are looking for.

Answer 7

The stress can cause 2 chemicals 2 be way overly sent out in ur body and they are called Seritonin and Norapinephrin. When I went to therapy, the psyciatrist told me 2 deep breathe and meditate on my own. She said if that does not help, I would have to go under hypnosis or somethin' kinda like it. It helped so much that I did not have to go under hypnosis. And if you feel stressed out, call up a friend and talk to he/she. You will forget everything after talking about a juicy detail about ur other friend. Try doing aroma therapies and it will send a relaxing feeling into your system and thus your stress is tempoarly gone. Also, Jesus Christ will be able to help you. Repeat this prayer after me. Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. Please forgive me of my sins. Save me and cleanse me. I love you and I thank you for your saving grace. I do not wnat to spend an eternity in Hell. I wanna spend an eternity in Heaven with You. Thank you so much. Amen. If you said that prayer, you are a Christian and on your way to Heaven to be with Jesus when he comes back for the Saints. Find a good Assembly of God church in your area and they will soon accept you as a member of the church. My dad is an Assembly of God Pastor in McCook Nebraska. If you need someone to talk to, my email address is [e-mail]! Remember, we love you!

Answer 8

Lavender--candles, incense, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, even cleaning supplies and detergents, lotions
You can even take a plug-in type thing to work with you

Chamomile Tea

Sleepytime Extra Tea with Valerian

Valerian Root supplements

A lot of fresh air and exercise (walking's ok) in the daytime

Meditation

Yoga and/or aerobics