10-31-2010, 09:52 PM

School, especially this semester, is being very stressful right now. So many test/essays...sometimes I just lay in bed till 4am because all the things that keep running through my mind...only to have to wake up at 8/9am to get class. It's getting worse now. We're getting hammered with anatomy practicals/weekly 8-page essays/bio exams/chem exams/2 lab exams...oh mannnn. I think my coping mechanism is buying things. I think I do it to get my mind off of school. I'm bidding on two powermac g5's, won 1 black ipod video auction(bidding on another white one), bought a 500gb seagate m.XT drive, and a WD Black 500gb in case the XT is a dud. I lost an auction to a powermac DP 1.8 that was in AMAZING condition by only 5 dollars Now I'm out for revenge Was at a rave 2 days ago...time of my life! This semester needs to end(hopefully with B's or higher in all of my classes please) asap!

What do you do to cope with stress?

10-31-2010, 10:03 PM

A really good book to read is the power of now.
In short, it is basically it is all about learning techniques to live in the moment, without doing your head in about the past or the future.
It really is worth getting a copy.
Other than that, exercise before bed, be it gym, yoga, pilates, running, etc. is a really good way to release good endorphins in the brain, exhaust your thoughts and body so you can sleep pretty soon after your head hits the mattress.

That book is really worth a go though.
Here's a little story/review from a reader.
The Power of Now

10-31-2010, 10:33 PM

It depends on your outlook on what exactly is stress.

We had a very famous sportsman in Australia who had been a fighter pilot in WW2. Commenting on TV at a sports match, he was asked about the stress modern day sportsmen and women have to go through.

'Stress? Stress? A Messerschmidt on your #$%@ (rear end) trying to blow your head off - that was stress!"

10-31-2010, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by harryb2448

It depends on your outlook on what exactly is stress.

We had a very famous sportsman in Australia who had been a fighter pilot in WW2. Commenting on TV at a sports match, he was asked about the stress modern day sportsmen and women have to go through.

'Stress? Stress? A Messerschmidt on your #$%@ (rear end) trying to blow your head off - that was stress!"

It does put things into perspective a bit, doesn't it?

I've been through a bit of a stressful time at work over the course of the last few weeks, and it's definitely effected my home life. But then I realized, that the worst thing that can possibly happen if things don't go well at work is that I'll be fired. I think just that little bit of perspective was enough to help me deal with things a little better.

Idrin: My wife gave me a bit of advice awhile ago and I think it helped me quite a bit. She said that a person can tolerate anything for a finite period of time. As long as there is a "light at the end of tunnel", it's just a matter of breaking the problem down into pieces and and working through it systematically.

11-01-2010, 01:27 AM

My stress relief is a good..loooooooooonnnngg…bike ride.

A realllllllly loooooooonnnng bike ride= 2 hours for me. My mind focuses on the bike, the power my legs force upon the drive train (pedals, chain etc.), my heartbeat and the cool wind in my face. Ah. Stress=Finito.

11-01-2010, 07:03 AM

Nothing better to fight stress than a large amount of physical hard work... Like knocking down a tree, dig a hole, go for a long run.... Something that gets you totally exhausted.
Then take a nice hot bath.
Works for me every time.

Over the years I learned that the best way to handle stress is to avoid it ( if possible)

Cheers ... McBie

11-01-2010, 07:32 AM

Hmm. I can't say I really suffer with it too often, life's too short and so I stay chilled, but there's nothing like a good workout on the drum kit to relieve any tension I'm feeling.

11-01-2010, 07:44 AM

I can understand the Aussie thing. A lot of people that come back from war do say civilian life has no stress compared to the war.

Personally though I write songs about the stressful situations. Gets it sll of my chest and I feel much better.

11-01-2010, 08:57 AM

Privatization is key, especially with all you have going on at school.

My biggest piece of advice is to cut the things out of your schedule that you do not need to be doing, regardless of how much you think you want to do it.

Make a list of the things you have to do like school, work, etc. The rest is optional. Make some difficult choices on the things or activities you'll need to put down.

I was in the same position as you so I totally get it, but I know from personal experience that if you don't cut some activities out, no matter how much you like them, to get yourself some down time, you'll never get rid of the stress.

11-01-2010, 11:41 AM

To quote Homer Simpson:

"To alcohol; The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems!"

11-01-2010, 01:15 PM

Music.. I put lots of time into my music.. playing, recording.. whatever.. it's very stimulating/relaxing..

Oh, and beer helps

11-01-2010, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by idrinorbarsaku

..sometimes I just lay in bed till 4am because all the things that keep running through my mind...only to have to wake up at 8/9am to get class.

Just for the sleeping part of it, I've found that getting up is the best way to get to sleep. While I'm up, I do something boring until I get drowsy, usually within a half hour or so. Then I get back in bed and go to sleep. Your body is tired already and needs rest. Just sit and stare at the wall. Leave the lights off. Don't watch TV. If I have things that need to get done on my mind, I make a list of them. Getting up for 30 minutes is way better than laying there for 6 hours!

11-01-2010, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by SweetCosmicPope

To quote Homer Simpson:

"To alcohol; The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems!"

Quit trying so hard!

Because as Home Simpson also said, "Trying is the first step towards failure!"

11-01-2010, 01:59 PM

Some form of exercise that stimulates the senses in a good way like bicycling/walking through your neighborhood preferably by a park. Afterwards a nice hot shower and some
music you enjoy then a nice meal then I am down for the count.

11-01-2010, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by 6string

Other than that, exercise before bed, be it gym, yoga, pilates, running, etc. is a really good way to release good endorphins in the brain, exhaust your thoughts and body so you can sleep pretty soon after your head hits the mattress.

That is exactly what I do. I have been in recovery for some time now and that was one the main downfalls for me in my dark days. It is amazing how staying busy (in a productive way), working out and being honest with yourself goes a long way. Yeah I know that seems like a lot, but it really helps with your mental and physical strengths. Stress is normal to have, but how you react to it is different.

Day by day!

Leland