How do you react to and deal with stress?

Question

Everyone reacts to stress in a different way.. and some people can cope with stress much better than others. How do you react to stress, both physically and emotionally, and what strategies do you have to help you cope?

Thanks to those people that are actually answering the question... not many have told how stress affects them.. or what they do to deal with it.
Some stress factors are out of our control and dealing with the effects can be hard. Personally, when things get really bad, I tend to become oversensitive and argumentative...and when close to total burn out, I go numb and listless. With insomnia thrown in as a bonus. I was just wondering how others dealt with stress that cannot be controlled... and how it affects them.

Answer 1

First, look inside. What is causing you to worry? Be specific. (For some situations, this may be readily apparent; other times, you may really have to think about it.) Writing in a journal or talking to a friend about it can help you sort out your feelings.
Then, decide what action, if any, should be taken. Try to figure out what part of the situation is under your control. Assess the problem to see whether the threat is real, or if you are blowing it out of proportion. If the problem is just a hypothetical situation or a worst-case scenario, decide if it is really likely that your fears will actually come to fruition.
Next, come up with a plan that tackles the part of the problem that is under your control. Taking action to protect yourself is a good way to channel nervous energy and provides reassurance against your fears. It is, in most cases, the healthiest response to realistic fears and worries.
Once you have done all you can, just let it go. Like everything in life, it is easier said than done, but with practice, you can get pretty adept at letting go of excessive levels of stress and anxiety. You can do this by focusing on something else, reminding yourself of the solutions you have worked on, or trying some stress management strategies that can help you feel more centered and at peace, such as prayer or meditation, journaling about your feelings, or listening to music.

Answer 2

Exercise Regularly. Start engaging in regular physical exercise 3-5X/week for 30 minutes, like jogging, walking, swimming, biking, dancing, aerobics, etc. Exercise releases mood-enhancing chemicals, like endorphins, the mind-body's natural painkiller and mood calmer. Briskly walking 2-3 miles allows us to experience a tangible sense of accomplishment and control. When everything is up in the air, exercise helps us feel grounded. Even better if you can find an exercise buddy.

Find a Hobby. Hobbies can be active or reflective; sometimes they can be both, like gardening. Hobbies may be shared, but often it's enjoyable activity pursued or engaged in solitude. Hiking in forests and mountains work wonders for me. Helps me get perspective, step back from my troubles, see a bigger picture, be at one with nature. Also, try your hand at creative writing, poetry or keeping a journal. Research shows writing that analyzes our problems and expresses our emotions is stress relieving. If you can't discover a hobby, I'd take that as a warning sign. You may actually be depressed. Loss of interest in things we once enjoyed, or loss of vitality in general, is a common symptom.

Answer 3

stress is a byproduct of an self imposed mechanism of motivations and benchmarking.
in almost all conditions stress is associated with performance graphed against time or competitions....

one needs to understand the innumerous variables that at a given time is dependent on u, ur health ur mind and various other factors.

playing the game out is the way out....

ayurvedic drugs like jatamansi have excelent results.

shiro dhara- an ayurvedic procedure.

and yoga

helps to get the variables under control making the plans work possible...
dont fear of stress, it shows we are alive and working, just play it out..

one good day and all stress is a past......

Answer 4

react deal stress

Answer 5

When stressed my blood pressure goes up and I get angry. Although I dont unleash my anger on anyone in particular.

To get rid of it, I try a couple different things. Sometimes just closing my eyes for a few minutes helps. Sometimes I play video games when I get home from work. Sometimes I just surf the web.

Answer 6

Work stress is usually easier then home stress as I know work stuff is not personal. I find it good to talk to someone about my day as this helps to get rid of it.

A bit of exercise helps too and when I am really stressed I clean to the point of exhaustion.

Answer 7

When I get stressed out I have to look into the solution instead of the problem, it keeps all of that negative junk out of my head. Physically I exercise a lot and I take phone books and try to rip them in half. It sounds stupid, but it works for me. I also try to rely on God more and realize that Hw will take care of me.

Answer 8

when i feel stress i just talk about it and always look to the solution instead of the problem i always try and keep busy and have a laugh so i dont feel the pressure of stress i think the best thing i can do when i feel stressed is talk to someone about it a problem shared is a problem halved hope this helps :)

Answer 9

I take antidepressants, unfortunately since having a child I have been really sucky at coping with stress, medication has reallly helped though.

Answer 10

this is an opinion but i have do something that i knwo i am good at and that i can take anything out on like i play basketball when going through stress i may play for hours but by time i get finish im alright but you just do something that you are good at that you really enjoy.