stressed out?

[katylynnlee]

Well ladies and gents, I have read enough threads on here to post this I think. I also have enough experience myself that I should be able to write a book. Just wondering how many of you are stressed out nowadays and does your LDR help or hurt the cause?

I know I personally stress myself out so much that I worry and overreact about things that don't even matter (it explains a lot of my rambling posts). I'm trying my best to stop the habit in its tracks, and I imagine other worriers out there would love to do it too. So does anyone have any advice to share on what helps you "mellow out" and enjoy life? Share your positive, calm vibes with the rest of us, before I lose all my hair or something. :P

[Phantomrose]

The thing that helps me out calm down, and keep a positive mood is doing hobbies that I enjoy doing to keep my mind off of things. I would either read a book, or maybe play a computer game that would keep me busy for a few hours. It also helps to go out with friends to try to have a good time with them. Meditation can also help relax the mind.

[Haley53]

Ugh, yes. It's tax month, so the energy around is not real positive. As an empath, I'm extremely sensitive to it, and I'm as stressed out and out of order as everyone in my immediate family currently. :/ There's also been a lot going on with me, personally, and PMS, so it's not been a fun month so far!

I won't say my LDR either helps or hurts, because it does both and they sort of cancel each other out. It hurts because when I need a kiss and a cuddle, it's not available to me, but it helps because he's still there for me. He's still my partner. Our emotional connection still exists, and having someone with whom I have that connection is a comfort in itself. But both emotions are equally intense, hence cancelling one another out.

As far as what I do, I'd like to say I take a hot bubble bath, but I've not been into bubble baths lately. These days I have mostly been cuddling up with the dog, cat, and rat on occasion, simply because they're my unconditional balls of love and warmth. <3 I have also been doing a lot of reading while still trying to maintain my focus on school work. What I should be doing is exercising; usually that helps, but I have been absolutely lethargic. :/

I think the best thing, though, is to keep things in perspective. Sometimes it helps me to take a deep breath, go out for a walk, and try and focus on something beautiful, whether it's the sun, the ocean view, an interesting pebble on the street... It can sometimes help my mood if I accept that I'm feeling shitty but also try and re-focus on the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis, or on things that do make me happy.

[eveningsky]

I'm very stressed out. Usually my relationship helps (he's very kind and always makes me feel better) but since we've gone so long without seeing each other (9 1/2 months...longest I've been without ANY SO I've had since I started dating!) and the future is really uncertain at the moment, it only adds a great deal to my stress.
Phantomrose and Eclaire have some good suggestions (I'm constantly cuddling my cat, before I was working all the time I always distracted myself with TV shows, movies or video games.) Crying actually helps me a lot (well, when I'm by myself and no one's there to say, "Why are you crying?" or "Suck it up, weakling.") It's like the stress escapes through my tears. I can't force it to happen though. I do yoga and that helps me keep my mind on straight. I try to do it every day (the days I don't do it, I feel on edge). I also try to get out of the house and do something fun with a friend to distract me from feeling lonely.