So, how do YOU handle stress? - Page 9

AprilHare · 02-27-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Oh, AprilHare, internalizing stress is baaaaad........dont' you know you could literally explode that way? And from the size of your chicken, that is NOT a good thing......

Oh, the chicken's not going to explode (yet)

nekokami · 02-27-2009, 09:40 PM

I have a new stress management tool. The university I work for has been offering workshops in which we are given a biofeedback device called the "stress eraser." It measures heart rate variability. You use it to monitor breathing during meditation.

I have enough experience with biofeedback, yoga, etc. that it was quite easy for me to pick up on how to get the nice smooth curve, but it's very handy to have the feedback to work with, and it does a great job of helping me relax. The device isn't cheap, though. Apparently our health insurance company is covering the cost for now, to see if it will reduce health care costs. Evidently about half of doctor visits are for stress-related ailments, so they're trying to find creative ways to cut down on those. (Besides sending us all to live on tropical islands, I guess.

)

A particularly helpful aspect of this device is that it measures the breathing technique in a way that allows me to know when I've done "enough" for that session. As VR says, the problem with relaxation methods is knowing when to stop and get back to work so the stuff doesn't pile up and make the stress worse.

June · 02-28-2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

My most favorite thing is 1000 pc jigsaw puzzles. My table USED to have one going continuously, anyone who came by couldn't resist sitting at it for a while.

Since we got the cat, however, thats impossible. - - -

I find jigsaws relaxing too. And they were on a hiatus for a while a combination of baby/toddler and 1000+ pcs jigsaws is not a good idea... But now I can combine them, I bought a PortaPuzzle ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jumbo-1039-P...813453&sr=1-10 ) and it really works! I can safely store a jigsaw in progress, either by just closing the lid, or also closing it up and storing it vertically so it takes almost no space at all

As for other ways for stress management: hang out on forums pertaining to my hobbies, reading or eating chocolate and candy are good... People keep saying exercise would be good, but I am really a lazy person, so I haven't tried that... I know I should (so it adds to the stress, sigh) I'm on a low dose of SSRI and I do have prescriptions for sleeping pills and betablockers, but avoid them (haven't actually ever taken any, but it's good to have the pills in the cabinet, just in case)

yvanleterrible · 02-28-2009, 11:09 AM

To me soccer's the perfect way to release internal stresses. Endorphins are miracle workers.

Angst · 02-28-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

I have a new stress management tool. The university I work for has been offering workshops in which we are given a biofeedback device called the "stress eraser." It measures heart rate variability. You use it to monitor breathing during meditation.

Enter a google search for "The Journey to Wild Divine". They packaged bio feedback and meditation into a game.

Traffic Goddess · 02-28-2009, 01:34 PM

I find a Penguins hockey game on TV and yell at the screen.

If it is a person that is stressing me out, I use my wild imagination. I'll imagine ripping off their arms and beating them silly with them. Let them wonder why I have an evil grin on my face....

GeoffC · 03-01-2009, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traffic Goddess

...................... I'll imagine ripping off their arms and beating them silly with them. Let them wonder why I have an evil grin on my face....

YIKES....

:runsandhidesbehindverylargesofa:

yvanleterrible · 03-01-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

YIKES....

:runsandhidesbehindverylargesofa:

Don't hide just yet! Do that after seduction, like the male of the black widow.

vivaldirules · 03-01-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

YIKES....

:runsandhidesbehindverylargesofa:

Hey! Who the hell's leaping over the sofa while I'm snoozin'?.....Oh, my god! Move out of my way!

nekokami · 03-01-2009, 04:49 PM

Check my recommendation for this product (Wild Divine) earlier in the thread.

I had a problem playing it recently, because I had to give my Mac laptop to one of my daughters and couldn't find my PC install disks, but that issue has been resolved now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angst

Enter a google search for "The Journey to Wild Divine". They packaged bio feedback and meditation into a game.

GeoffC · 03-02-2009, 12:41 PM

It causes me stress just looking at the prices - and that's before p&p ....

lilac_jive · 03-02-2009, 01:49 PM

I'm almost out of cigarettes and I'm snowed in...obviously I'm not handling stress very well right now.

nekokami · 03-02-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

It causes me stress just looking at the prices - and that's before p&p ....

Yeah, that's the downside.

Fortunately for me, the health insurance company the university uses wanted to try this as an alternative program to lower overall health care costs, so they paid for the Stress Eraser. I paid for the first Wild Divine game myself, and then did referrals for a while, and got enough to pay for the sequel from that, which I thought made sense.

If you want to try this on the cheap, get a metronome and set it for 5 seconds, and breath in on click and out on click. Or, super-cheap, sit next to a clock or watch so that you can hear the ticking, and count 5 in and 5 out. You won't get the feedback to see how it's working, so you won't be able to tell if 5 seconds is the right value for you, but it's still a good breathing practice, and over time you might be able to adjust it a bit yourself.

If you're handy with electronics, you can build a simple skin conductivity meter, as well (battery-operated), perhaps emitting a tone that you can listen to that changes pitch depending on stress rate. Then try different relaxation techniques and use that to help find out what is most effective. I found out how important creative handwork is to me through the biofeedback tools I use, and now I can use that even without having any biofeedback tools around.

Wetdogeared · 05-06-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wetdogeared

This job<-- would seem to be a bit less stressful.

They have gotten so many hits the first few days the site went down. They are going to cut off the number of applications at 30,000.

Being caretaker of Barrier Reef islands, keeping a blog of your daily events, short term committment, great pay...a great promo for Tourism in Oz.

I thought of you, Marc, when I saw this on our national news. People are going crazy (that's not what made me think of you) trying to apply for this job, creating and posting their own video appliations on utub.

Good morning all, WDE.

News flash, update: Best job winner announced

Good morning, WDE.

nekokami · 05-06-2009, 12:39 PM

Since I won't be moving to New Zealand, I've found a different form of stress relief: singing. Loudly. Generally when no one's around to hear. I like classical choral pieces for this purpose, e.g. Vivaldi's Gloria. I switch between the parts at will.

The soundtrack to Cats is good, too. I know both of these well enough that I don't need to have a recording with me, though that can be fun too.

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02-27-2009, 09:40 PM	#122
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	I have a new stress management tool. The university I work for has been offering workshops in which we are given a biofeedback device called the "stress eraser." It measures heart rate variability. You use it to monitor breathing during meditation. I have enough experience with biofeedback, yoga, etc. that it was quite easy for me to pick up on how to get the nice smooth curve, but it's very handy to have the feedback to work with, and it does a great job of helping me relax. The device isn't cheap, though. Apparently our health insurance company is covering the cost for now, to see if it will reduce health care costs. Evidently about half of doctor visits are for stress-related ailments, so they're trying to find creative ways to cut down on those. (Besides sending us all to live on tropical islands, I guess. ) A particularly helpful aspect of this device is that it measures the breathing technique in a way that allows me to know when I've done "enough" for that session. As VR says, the problem with relaxation methods is knowing when to stop and get back to work so the stuff doesn't pile up and make the stress worse.

02-28-2009, 11:09 AM	#124
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	To me soccer's the perfect way to release internal stresses. Endorphins are miracle workers.

02-28-2009, 01:34 PM	#126
Traffic Goddess Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 190 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Device: sony prs-700	I find a Penguins hockey game on TV and yell at the screen. If it is a person that is stressing me out, I use my wild imagination. I'll imagine ripping off their arms and beating them silly with them. Let them wonder why I have an evil grin on my face....

03-02-2009, 12:41 PM	#131
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	It causes me stress just looking at the prices - and that's before p&p ....

03-02-2009, 01:49 PM	#132
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I'm almost out of cigarettes and I'm snowed in...obviously I'm not handling stress very well right now.

05-06-2009, 12:39 PM	#135
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Since I won't be moving to New Zealand, I've found a different form of stress relief: singing. Loudly. Generally when no one's around to hear. I like classical choral pieces for this purpose, e.g. Vivaldi's Gloria. I switch between the parts at will. The soundtrack to Cats is good, too. I know both of these well enough that I don't need to have a recording with me, though that can be fun too.

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