Question Best ways coping with stress

[MJR]

I was just wondering what are your opinions on the best ways you deal with stress to the point where you feel positive. Too many times I find myself stressed over school work and I just feel so negative about everything. I know many of you guys are incredibly smart and have dealt with similar situations. If anything at all, I need some advice. Thank you.

 

[Zatnikitelman]

I listen to songs that are depressing to me. That helps for some reason.
A few selections from my playlists:
"Over My Head (Cable Car)" -The Fray
"Apologize" -OneRepublic
"You Found Me" -The Fray
"It's not my time" -Three Doors Down
"Breakeven" -The Script

 

[N_Molson]

I play Orbiter.

 

[natey787]

Concerned with stress, are you? Hmm. Relax the mind, you must.
Sorry, couldn't resist
Anyway, the first thing you could do would be to break up your responsibilities, like homework assignments, and focus on them one at a time. Start earlier, so you'll be done sooner. Finishing homework early can feel quite rewarding.
Try some kind of physical activity. In my family, we walk. I also enjoy table tennis lol.
Take time out of your day to focus on something elsewhere and elsewhen. Something you enjoy doing that makes you momentarily forget about the rest of your life, like Zen. Orbiter is really good for this =D. Reading is good, too. I like science fiction novels, as they offer a great "escape" from regular life.

Hail !

 

[Linguofreak]

Well, I'm having similar trouble with the "getting to where I feel positive" part. I generally try to run from it all, which just gets me more stressed.

I procrastinate on all the stuff I should be doing and start surfing Wikipedia and Web forums, playing games, etc.

It doesn't really help though. The computer starts beating me at games, I get 404's on pages, I get mad, and none of the stuff that needs to be done gets done.

Which wonderfully describes today...

 

[dbeachy1]

Try some kind of physical activity.

+1. Workouts help a lot! :thumbup: And BTW, the stress never really goes away once you're out of school, either -- it just changes form.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

My kid is stressed out a little as too. She takes her test to get her drivers license this Friday, a paper to write, plus there is color guard tryouts soon and exams are looming.

Like Natey787 said, break it down into little things. They are easier to deal with than the "whole" picture. Kind of like eating an elephant, just take one bite at a time, you could always recite the litany against fear as well ;-)

 

[MJR]

Lol. I work out all the time though. For example, I work out so much that as a freshman weighing 155 or so pounds, I can bench press 225lbs. I feel as though everything is a non-stop aggravation and school is just unbearable at some points. I just need some really good advice on how to go to school and be positive because eliminating that factor would decrease it greatly.

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 PM ----------

Holy crap, that sounds just like me. I was about to do color guard, I am going to get a permit, and my EOIs are next month. lol

 

[Izack]

When I find myself bogged down with work, I find it helps to stay away from a computer. If you want to use it, a good whip around Orbiter or FSX can be soothings...just the sound of a propeller and slipstream, or the ambience of space (unless you have deathmetal in your mp3 folder :shifty.
I like to hut the computer down, and if I have the time and the right location/weather, go stargazing. An enormous black expanse full of the sparkling lights of an entire galaxy can really put the mind at ease, IMHO.
Even if it's cloudy, just watching the sky for a while is wonderfully calming.
Meditation can help too, if you're into that.

 

[MJR]

When I find myself bogged down with work, I find it helps to stay away from a computer. If you want to use it, a good whip around Orbiter or FSX can be soothings...just the sound of a propeller and slipstream, or the ambience of space (unless you have deathmetal in your mp3 folder :shifty.
I like to hut the computer down, and if I have the time and the right location/weather, go stargazing. An enormous black expanse full of the sparkling lights of an entire galaxy can really put the mind at ease, IMHO.
Even if it's cloudy, just watching the sky for a while is wonderfully calming.
Meditation can help too, if you're into that.

That sounds almost like what I would do. I love stargazing especially on a nice night with comets. I never really tried meditation, but I guess that I should try something of the sort.

 

[Izack]

Listening to calming music is another obvious choice.
My favourite stress-relieving song is Submerged Frigate from the Metroid Prime soundtrack. I don't know if you've ever played or heard that, but it's worth looking at.

 

[MJR]

I'll be sure to look at that tomorrow. I got to get ready for another day. Thanks guys.

 

[KosmoKen]

Beer.

 

[Moach]

beer!

 

[Ark]

Beer.

Rum. :thumbup:

Music (playing and listening to), cars, alcohol, video games, Orbiter, laughing my ass off at Cracked articles, the list goes on.

 

[insanity]

Peggle, beer, rum, music, Orbiter, FSX, working out/playing sports, smoking, breaking tasks up, listening to NPR, nature walks, reading for pleasure, writing, learning a new skill, practicing and fine-tuning old skills, watching television, friends, going to a baseball game, thinking, silly movies, etc....

 

[Notebook]

Retirement worked, till I ran out of money.

N.

 

[ex-orbinaut]

Make a house out of playing cards. Go for a brisk, 10 minute walk on the sidewalk, not stepping on any cracks, or walk along the top of a wall (a low-ish one!). Get yourself a good air rifle and do 10 shots a day at cans, increasing the range a yard every time you get 10/10 (put it away afterwards and don't touch it again until the next session. And make a ritual of cleaning it right after every session).

What you need is something objective and unrelated, that requires some concentration, but does not matter if you excel at it or not.

And periodically take the time to objectively define exactly what "stress" is to you. It tends to be very personal, and it helps to know the shape of your particular monster at any given time. Once its characteristics are recognized you'll find it does not seem so invincible, and you'll be able to live with it without it consuming you.

 

[ar81]

Reboot your life

Have a good laugh, laughing is the best medicine against anxiety.

 

[Ghostrider]

Depends on the kind of stress. A trip to the shooting range helps a lot.