Help dealing with stress?

Question

Usually i dont have many problems with stress, but lately i have been feeling very overwhelmed and dpressed. I have trouble sleeping, concentrating and remembering things. My mind is really foggy and i have constant headaches and back pains. Does anyone know any techniques that can help me feel better? Are there any specific meditations, foods, smells or exercises that would be helpful? Please help! Thanks

Answer 1

Cardio really helps a lot, as far as meds - Lexapro. It works great for stress and that feeling of being overwhelmed. Good Luck.

Answer 2

I had a similar problem but my stress was mostly due to anxiety. However, these exercises work pretty well for anyone.

1. Before going to bed, write down anything you are worried/stressed about. Make a list of the things you have to do tomorrow. Writing these things down will help take them off your mind so when you're going to sleep, your mind won't be racing with what you have to do tomorrow.

2. Take a few minutes when you get stressed and close your eyes. Take deep breaths in and out. Count the seconds it takes to breathe in, and then count the seconds it takes to breathe out. Do this at least ten times. Again, this takes your mind off of what you are stressing about and relaxes you.

3. Exercise. It releases chemicals that have been proven to make you happy. Many times I've left my house angry and went out and exercised and came home feeling completely refreshed. Try walking or running for about 20-30 minutes a day.

Hope this helped a little.

Answer 3

My toolbox for stress and depression includes:

Laughter... watch the Three Amigos, A Woody Allen movie, anything with Adam Sandler.... whatever your comedic taste is, laugh long and loud.

Exercise... 20+ minutes of sweat-producing cardio will trigger the endorphins that will help you feel better. Move all your muscles, especially upper body to reduce back pains, and soak in a warm tub afterward.

Comfort foods - I have a weight problem, so I have to control my portions, but some foods just feel good going down....mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, anything chocolate.....

Aromatherapy...
Lavender for sleep, orange or grapefruit for happy daytime motivation, vanilla anytime.

Affirmations
Write down 3 things you are thankful for each day.
I keep a couple of books with inspirational quotes handy for times when I can't come up with my own thoughts of gratitude.

Answer 4

Gardening is just around the corner. Gardening is an excellent metaphor for life. If you prepare the ground, have a seed present, combine all the necessary causes and conditions, you will have flowers. Once, the work is done - weeding, raking, preparing the ground - then the sun and rain and time take care of the rest. You have to think about it - you have to get your hands dirty, you have to get down on the same level as the task at hand, you have to do the work! We are all stressed and through our actions, speech and thought are sowing seeds of all kinds each and every day. Sooner or later, we are going to have to reap the result of all of these activities. If our actions have been for the good, then we will experience good; if our actions have been not good, then our experience will be not good. If you want a rose, you can't plant a daisy seed. Take time for yourself to consider what things you are doing that are not of benefit. Think of things that are of benefit. Abandon the former, and adopt the latter. Gardening is excellent! Your mind is the garden!

Answer 5

Get a library card. Read funny books. David Sedaris. Watch Ellen show. Do not look at financial papers before bedtime. Rent movies. Get relaxing CDs like Kenny G or Count Basie from the library. Have a bath before bedtime. Take care of your feet - get a pedicure or clean them up at home. Replace all of your socks and underwear with new stuff. Take ibuprofen for a few days - over the counter stuff from a drug store. Follow the instructions on the bottle, or ask the pharmacist. Go swimming in the morning. Get a pet - like a cat. Yoga can help. Keep reaching out. Take up cooking. Take a cooking class. Keep a fruit bowl in your kitchen. Keep cut veggies in your fridge. Get houseplants - orchids if you have budget for them. Open your curtains. Let natural light in. Get outside during the day - walk if you can. Drink more water.

Answer 6

I take Lexapro, and it works the best out of that family of drugs.
Try to keep a journal. At the bottom of the journal write something that makes you feel down. Come up with your OWN answer that may help the problem. Pretty soon your finding your answers you need. Try to do it at least 3 times a week

Answer 7

My mind starts cranking when I try and sleep.First thing I do is take the Wall-mart brand of Tylenol P.M. And then I imagine something I love..like being in the mountains or on a Island or just pretend I live in a mansion next to Ozzy and Sharon and I become friends and that puts me to sleep.If problems come on in I just push them back out and concentrate on my fantasy.And eventually I fall asleep.I know it sounds weird but try it!Also I try and meditate.Lay on your back hands however your comftable and start with your toes and repete "toes relax",feet relax,ankles, and work yourself up and when you feel your toes start to relax work up and eventually you will fall asleep. I hope some of this works,and of course at work..any deep breating excersize will work.

Answer 8

hello
first of all, stress is the body's way of coping with good or bad. Everyone has stress, what you are saying insomia can lead to headaches or visa versa, when you can't concentrate one can be irritable. If you have seen your doctor and tell him or her. If its your meds they might need to be adjusted. Exercise might help, don't overeat or you will have another problem.

Answer 9

Try a product called Sress ESE it works wonders for all stress factors,

Answer 10

in those cases, what I do, is focus in rutinary things that distracr me like walk at the same time and try to do more and better. (more time walking I mean)
Also prepare food i like, (delis) but i dont recommend it

routine helps