stress

[LunaCaelum]

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how do you relieve stress? I have the worst time. Right now it's SUMMER and I'm having an anxiety attack. I also had one earlier today. I don't know what to do. I feel silly and childish for even having an anxiety attack. I feel like I should talk to a professional but I can't afford that. Also, any time I mention it to my mother she acts clueless "I don't understand why you feel this way..."

any suggestions? I've tried exercise (in high school, ended up loosing 20ish pounds) I've tried meditation, warm baths etc

any other ideas?

 

[StillDreaming]

For me i just create a list of things to do and then prioritize what needs to be done. and then just take it one step at a time...

I used to have anxiety attacks and really stress out over everything, and then i got sick with a disease that is flared up by stress, and can put me out of commission and in the hospital... so for me it became an almost life and death choice on dealing with stress... so i honestly just tell myself not to...

I made it a habit of when i started feeling stressed about stuff, i just stopped what i was doing and went for a hike or swim or walk or anything to get away from the stressor. I reminded myself constantly not to stress out (power of the mind i guess) and eventually it has become second nature for me to have a laid-back attitude about stuff which has helped me all around... now not only do i not stress out when i feel overwhelmed, but i am really calm in emergency situations which helps out at my job when animals come in crashing all the time... i've receive quite a few compliments from doctors about it...

but seriously, try just telling yourself not to stress and when you feel yourself getting overwhelmed and stressed try :
- getting away from the stressor (leave the books or the room)
- going for a walk/hike/run/swim, whatever floats your boat but try to get your mind off of it by doing something else
- do crafts, pick up knitting/crocheting/needle-point or something to relax yourself
- breathe

Hope this helps

 

[runnerDC]

I feel like I should talk to a professional but I can't afford that.

If you are still a student somewhere, most if not all universities have psychologists on staff at the college counseling center, at a very small fee (or sometimes free) for students.

Do you have health insurance? If so, see if there are providers in the community for whom your insurance would help with the cost.

If you don't have health insurance or access to psychologists through your school, see if you can find a therapist in the community who might slide their fee to something you could afford on a regular basis. Many do that.

Good luck!

 

[athane960]

Stress relief varies for the individual. . . For me and my SO (we both have stressful jobs), we love to get out into the outdoors, camping, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, you name it. OF course we bring the dogs along.

I also like to turn on the music and clean the house or go for a run. I know people who garden, go to the movies, go spend time with friends, etc.

Just do something you enjoy that takes your mind off of whatever is causing your stress.

I also second what runnerdc says about seeing a psychiatrist/pshycologist at your university . . . most of them are not charged especially if your stress is due to your schooling anyway .. . at least they were not at my school.

 

[Caninerepro]

Yes I had the same problem when I returned to school. I went to see one of the counselors, who helped a bit, them was sent to the health center, where they gave me a prescription for an SSRI, which I actually get for free from the company because I am a poor student. Anyhow, it did slowly help. Now that I have been accepted to vet school I really don't need it so much anymore, but it does help once you find the right one.

 

[sumstorm]

Besides solid time management and study skills, consider intentionally scheduling time for breaks and relaxation with relative frequency. Knowing you will have routine breaks helps compartmentalize. Also, work on prioritizing things; figure out each day what is most important and what can be dropped by the wayside. Sometimes improving time management and study skills can help relieve stress.

Then, for me, to really get relief, I need to keep myself healthy and participate in activities where I CAN'T think about the rest of my life. I am an avid skydiver and SCUBA diver for that reason; both tasks take all of my mental energy. I also run and paint, but each of those lets me mull and ponder and review, so while I find them very beneficial (especially contemplating research, reviewing concepts, etc) they do not necessarily relieve stress for me.

In college, I was too busy to deal with much drama. So anytime anyone had a problem, I tended to say 'it'll all be ok.' I did not realize how often I said that until I was talking with a friend several years later. She told me it was one of the things that helped her through rougher patches in college; the entire idea that no matter what was happening at the moment, if we kept moving forward it would all be ok...it will all work out one way or another. I don't know how to get to that point. At the time I was working FT+ and attending school FT. I really just didn't have time to worry or stress.

 

[bunnity]

Luna, you mentioned that you found it strange to be having an anxiety attack during the summer, but for me I often find that my anxiety is worse when my mind is relaxing. During the school year I am so busy between school and work that I don't really have time to think (like what sumstorm mentioned). During the summer all I have is work and it's a job I've been doing for years (without much of a learning curve anymore) and my brain gets bored and worries about stuff to keep itself entertained I guess. It seems to do better when it has something to chew on or something. Anyway I wonder if you have a similar thing going on.

I agree with the above posters about trying to get a professional to talk to - it can really help, and according to a counselor at my school something like 50% of the patients coming into therapy clinics are for anxiety related problems - so it is very common and most therapists should have plenty of practice helping people with it! If you're in school, even if you're not in classes this summer, you will probably be allowed to attend for free, unless you have already graduated. Planned Parenthood also offers very cheap sliding scale counseling.

And for a more immediate fix, I really find that being outside helps.
Feel free to PM me if you need someone to talk to!

 

[DollyyLlama]

Oh man this is timely for me, too. I woke up one night last week with spasmic pain in my stomach/ esophagus, a sensation I'd never felt before. Once that subsided (and the doctors couldn't find anything noticeably wrong) I had another day or two of the familiar old anxiety tummyache. I don't know what brought the pains on, but I am so nervous that it might flare up again when I'm in school (part of my problem is worrying about future discomfort).

I'm going to find a therapist and a doctor to manage my prescriptions before school starts. Also scope out any resources in the area (yoga, meditation groups) or maybe find a few classmates to form a mini support group.

So yeah, I can relate- even though there isn't much in my current routine that triggers my anxiety, the growing fear about whether I can handle vet school is certainly weighing heavy.

 

[DrVegan]

1.I visit the bookstore buy some discounted books.
2.hang out in the library all day
3.suduko
4.go to the zoo if its open. 😀

 

[DVMhopeful]

I have problems with stress and panic attcks as well. Luckily my SO is so laid back I worry he may slip into a coma (lol). It's nice to have someone around to talk sense into you, and help you through anxiety attacks. Also, I find that chammomile tea, valerian root, and st john's wort all help me stay relaxed (and sleep)...I would try something natural before turning to medication. I also took up rugby, it's hard to be stressed when you are getting creamed by giant chicks left and right😛

 

[BR549]

Music is a real release for me. Whether it is listening, singing, or playing the piano, I always feel better after doing it.

Spending time with my animals.

Going to the country. When I go home, or anywhere in the country, it feels that time slows down or comes to a complete stop. Just relaxing and walking in the pasture or sitting under a shade tree, peace just seems to come over me.

Any combination of the above is very sweeet!😀