what calms you

Reading, listening to music - Chopin's Nocturnes do it for me, Sleep. I have some weird dreams and wonder if that's how I work through any causes of stress. Not that I have many of those nowadays.

Thank you grapefruitpip ?

Usually I’m stressed for a reason so I try and sort it.
At the moment it seems as though I am one of 3 who have just discovered that we are responsible for more than we were aware.
First thought is OMG, then comes the list, then the meeting, then a plan. Then no stress hopefully.
Sometimes I’m stressed and not sure how to deal with it so , if I have time, I ignore the problem for a day or two. It usually goes away or a solution presents itself.
Occasionally I have to do something that is going to be physically unpleasant. This week I had to have a biopsy on my nose and I knew the injection would be horrible. I used a technique that I learnt a few years ago to relax. It was not pleasant but I managed to keep still and relaxed.

For a quick wind down- chocolate.
For deeper relaxation- a swim, especially in my favourite holiday lake, surrounded by beautiful scenery, or a bubbly massage in a hot tub.
To get off to sleep- lavender spray on my pillow.

I am lucky to not suffer too much from stress, but when things are going wrong (usually involves DH), I either walk my two labradors and totally de -stress, and I mean, totally and utterly.
Or, I do housework. Furiously. My house shines like a new pin, but I find I build my stress by doing that, getting angrier and angrier.
So I walk ?

Good for you Maggie. I thought this thread was to share ideas not boast about how impervious some people are to stress.

Then again, they are probably impervious full stop.

Well bully for you oldgaijin. Why go out of your way to demonstrate your lack of empathy? This is a lovely thread for those of us who experience stress with plenty of ideas and tools for self-calming and how to find a bit of peace. I have very severe anxiety (not a choice!) but do just about manage by walking, reading, listening to and music and playing an instrument. I have a busy job, pets and some dear friends but for whatever reason can find life terrifying. I’m trying to become more aware and build some meditation into my day. Being out in nature with the dog is an instant de-stresser!

Stroking my cat, and hearing her purr is wonderfully calming and stress relieving for me!

No human is immune to stress. It is in out DNA, freeze, fight or flight.

But jura - if you stay off GN how will you keep up to date with Brexit?

Most of my stress is caused by my in laws , I find having no contact for a few days lowers my blood pressure .

A lovely swim

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Best thing by far. Walking with Mya. Rescue dog who's been with us for 7 months now

Just back from our wood walk checking on the streams after all the rain.

My instant reaction was to offer Diazepam as my tongue in cheek answer but the true answer is water. I love lochs, burns, oceans, rivers, waterfalls, my tiny wildlife pond, my bath....all give me joy and wipe out stress.

Sitting doing a jigsaw whilst listening to the radio. Very calming until husband pops up and puts the last few pieces in!

"Most of the worry I have comes from close family and their ability to cope financially" I could have written that myself, certainly about one of my kids, fortunately the other is very sensible. Nevertheless, "the profligate", although he wouldn't agree with that description of himself does stress me, if we were countries he'd be Greece to my Germany, too many bail outs Like others, my stress relievers, listening to music, reading, walking in a favourite place surrounded by trees, how important the latter has become as I've got older, far more theraputic than so called retail therapy, not therapy at all, natural beauty trumps shopping everytime for me now. Talking to my husband who has always been my linchpin and has a sane and rational approach to most of life's dilemmas. Maybe it's good to come on to GN to share our stresses sometimes as well.

soon be setting off for magnificent caves, and a Thibetan bowl concert - that will surely do it. Oh and keeping off GN for a while ;)

It's good you are like that Oldgajin, but not everyone is so fortunate. I don't think anyone chooses to be stressed.

Stress? Don't know the meaning of the word...why get uptight about things that you know you can't do anything about.

Above all else my darling dog, and listening to music. In particular Bach's concerto in D for two violins - that would calm and soothe any frenzy in my view!

Knitting is my Prozac it calms me right down in stressful times.

I have some success in balancing out stressful situations by attempting to learn something challenging. Usually the situation passes over or changes shape and I come through with an extra useful skill.

When I am stressed I look at the webcam from my favourite place in Cornwall,and watch the tide, and other activities in the harbour,it is so calming.

I also don’t think it’s helpful to say that you’re never stressed. Well, you are blessed indeed. Sometimes,feeling stressed is down to temperament, sometimes life events, and sometimes, past events, which can leave their mark...Its awful to be really anxious and not to be able to find relief. Personally, I have found one or two guided online meditations of about 15 mins long, that seem to hit the spot. I like Bach rescue remedy.I also do tai chi and have a class once a week. Being out in the fresh air feels nice. A really good book, or film, can help. Chamomile tea settles me a bit. And pathetic as it sounds, YouTube clips of funny cats, really make me laugh and ease the tension. In fact, maybe we shouldn’t underestimate laughter as being therapeutic. It can be an uphill struggle and some things just seem like short term diversions...but you can only do your best. If it’s nightime, and all else fails, I get a hot water bottle, curl up in bed for an early night. Mentally,zip myself up in a kind of safe bubble, and usually drift off to sleep.

Grannyknot
I pick up my knitting too. Also have circulation problems so it keeps my hands warmer with the constant movement.

Like walking as well, but prefer level surfaces and have recently had trochanteric bursitis so had to rest!