I was an easy going kinda guy, the guy to let stuff just roll off and light one up. Well now it just seems that massive stuff keeps on stacking up, stuff I can’t just shrug and say “I don’t care”. I’m not enjoying life. I have become highly short tempered. Virtualy no patience for anything. And highly depressed, with the attitude that says “piss me off and I’ll destroy you”
HELP: Any suggestions on how to relax,
that doesn’t include getting high,
because that doesn’t really help
anymore.
I don’t FUCKING KNOW !!!
Sorry, had to be done …
Punching someone’s lights out kind of helps but it doesn’t seem to do them too much good. Hmmm, Plan B. Drugs…nah, short –termism. A way to block stuff out for sure but I’m not sure it deals with the stress.
The only thing that really works for me in situ is exercise - whether it’s the gym, a jog / run, a swim…anything, really A half hour of fairly serious cardio vascular work (rather than just weights) and your whole outlook can change.
Of course, the best solution is to get the hell out of the situation – or at least change the deal - but sometimes that isn’t possible.
The other thing that really works is to take three months off, load up the backpack and go wandering around a mountain range, desert, etc. Again, not always possible. Got to deal with it, though, cos nothing good’s going to come of it. Good luck.
I got this in an e-mail a while back. I find it to be very soothing…
Picture yourself near a stream.
Birds are chirping softly in the crisp, cool mountain air.
Nothing can bother you here.
No one knows this secret place.
You are in total seclusion from that place called “the world.”
The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
The water is clear.
You can easily make out the face of the person whose head you’re holding under the water.
There now, feeling better?
Get some ice cubes, plenty of them.
Head to the bathroom.
Stand back and throw the ice cubes, as hard as you can, into the shower stall.
Really wind up, and let them fly. It helps if you shout while you do this.
You get to throw and break things, you get to holler and shout. Lots of noise and very little clean up.
Hey, it works for me.
And no one gets hurt.
I did one of the most relaxing things yesterday. Go out to a gun range and put about 100 rounds of .45 through a Sig pistol. Shooting really is an excellent stress reliever, just remember though, only shoot inanimate objects. Anything else might add to that stress level just a little bit. And be safe.
Seriously, I hope things get better for you, and that you can find a way to get some of that tension out. There are some good suggestions here.
Exercise never really worked for me. All I got out of it was a really buffed out physique and the same damn stress.
Sparring helps a bit if you have a good night.
Other than that, the best solution is to ferret out the true source of the stress and then ruthlessly exterminate it.
Dire Wolf, that was absolutely one of the most hilarious things I have ever read in my entire life. Thanks A Million!
My stress savior is my second job. On weekends I guide white water trips. Some sat. mornings I get up and the last thing I want to do is go to the river and be nice to people, I would rather sulk and stew for 2 days. But once I get there and paddled my people through the first few rapids, I am always glad to be in the river. It lifts my mood every day I’m there.
It’s like enforced fun, with a little tip money thrown in. I couldn’t do my main job if I didn’t have the second one.
That and I wrestle my dad and little sister in Judo tournaments.
Long walks work for me. Pure aimless roaming; I’ll pick a direction and just start walking. I suppose exercise might work well too, but I don’t really like gyms.
Bowling is pretty good stress relief as well, although elbows’ idea seems to have the same underlying principle and is cheaper besides. Where did I put my ice cube trays…
whack the crap out of something. Take it out on something inanimate. Go to the golf driving range, or the baseball batting cage, or play tennis with a friend. Picture the stress-inducer’s face on the ball. Paste him in the nose with the bat and smile. Break a sweat, take a shower, and have a cold drink. You’ll feel better.
My two big things are:
Play racquetball. Name the ball. I worked through my second divorce that way. “You…whack!..sorry assed…whack!.. sonova…whack!..BAM!”
::duck or get hit by the ball after that one::
The other is to bake bread. Kneading dough is a great stress reliever. Pound the crap out of it, put your back into it, and slam down on the counter.
I currently have a LOT of bread in my house!
Now really thinking about it, I haven’t gotten out to do anything like what you guys have suggested. I think I’ll go to some batting cages (love baseball, had a scholarship to indian university until I messed up my ankles) then I’m going to run. For awhile thanks for all of your suggestions.
I’ve found that chain-smoking with a fat pinch of Kodiak 'tween my lip and gum, guzzling some 7-11 coffee from a BigGulp[sup]TM[/sup] that I stir with crisp strips of bacon and chase with a 32oz Coke works for me…but only when I’m on Mexican fat-burners.
What’s that…oh, you want to fight stress. Huh. Can’t help you there.
Try T’ai Chi, shooting, cycling, getting a (professional & licensed) massage, just taking deep breaths or, like you said, hit the batting cages.
My favorite was always go in our old backyard with an axe, and hack away at a dead tree that had fallen. Or cut down some cane with a machete.
I’m going through a period of HIGH stress at work. The management here are a sorry collection of bullies and tyrants.
I find coming to the straight dope and reading the posts is an excellent way to reduce stress. I spend a few minutes reading about other people and their problems, and suddenly, I don’t feel so bad.
I don’t get pleasure from other people’s problems, it just puts things into perspective for me. No matter what is happening in your life, you could always be worse off.
The stress I feel is getting worse though…I’m going to have to come up with something else to vent my stress.
The great thing about exercise is that it produces endorphins, which give you a natural mood lift. Another reason why exercise is good for you!
I believe orgasm has been touted in one or two obscure places as a form of release . . .
Somebody call me?
Yes, exercise does help - I especially like the kind where you get something else done by doing the exercise - chopping or stacking wood, cleaning the storeroom, etc.
A good massage helps. I like the shiatsu kind - there’s a lot of pounding and pulling involved there. Sounds kinda funny, but when I’m tensed up it really helps to have someone beat the crap out of me. 
If you like animals, get or borrow a dog. Going for walks, talking to and hugging a good dog has helped me through some good-sized periods of stress. A cat will also do in a pinch.