Excellent Brian, it sounds like you already have some great coping mechanisms in place. Now you can just build on that foundation.
Hi Dr. Read and fellow classmates,
To cope with the stressors in my life I already exercise and stretch. I will also try to incorporate the other coping mechanisms that were taught in class.
Regards,
Brian
It can be tough when you don't have a lot of time to exercise. But doing just a little something each week is a great way to keep active and ready for more exercise when your schedule permits.
I currently exercise once a week as I don't have much time for more. However, in the future I would like to start exercising more regularly.
It sounds like you have a great system Linda. How nice to be able to look forward to a reward at the end of each week.
I actually do a great many of the things listed here. I talk things over with my partner. I walk every day. I play tennis. I ride my Harley. I think it is really important to take me time.
Every Friday, I have an hour and a half massage. I look forward to this time each week, knowing that no matter how my week went, I get to have that massage.
Nice carrot.
Nice stick.
:)
It can be hard to 'clock out' when you are married to one of your coworkers. But it sounds like you have developed an excellent system Susan.
My husband and I both work at the same organization. he typically wants to talk more about his day than I do. We have decided that we will talk about work on the way home (since we ride together), but once we get home we shouldn't talk about work. Sometimes we slip and laugh at ourselves, but for the most part it's a great compromise and helps us not bring work home all the time.
It's great when family members are understanding of our stressful schedules. Makes balancing everything much easier.
My wife is a good listener and she understands the balancing act that I have in dealing with stressors in my life dealing with work and personal issues. I try to exercise regularly and this helps in dealing with stress as well. I think I have a good mechanism in place but feel that this module has provided me a better perspective in recognizing stress and how to correlate it with life activities to effectively manage stress levels.
This is an important point Tammy. Sometimes, the best action is to cut back and do things for us.
I do the same thing, Roy...I hold my breath and I feel my shoulders hunch up toward my ears when I'm stressed! I plan to take the suggestions in the breathing section to heart. That, plus a decrease in caffeine, should help, hopefully!
Hi Ronald,
My husband's in the same boat, actually...he's got an hour-long commute on a very busy expressway, and it's a constant source of stress for him. If he leaves the house just a couple of minutes later than he meant to, his drive time can increase by 15 minutes. He's prone toa bit of "road rage", too, and it worries me...
I suggested that he wake up 15 minutes earlier, so that the likelihood of him running late in the morning is decreased. I also volunteered to walk the dog so that he wouldn't have to, effectively slashing 10 minutes off of his morning routine. Your suggestion of leaving earlier so that you're less apt to run into heavy traffic is a good one.
Along with my full-time job as an English instructor, I also teach 5 Spinning and aerobics classes per week at a local gym. This can be a double-edged sword; the exercise itself is great stress relief, yet the fact that I must invent new routines and acquire newly mixed playlists for each class can add more tension to my already busy life.
I've found that cutting back one class a week and exercising for MYSELF (going on a long run or practicing yoga, for instance) has really helped eliminate some of the pressure I had been feeling.
Meditation CDs are great, especially when trying to fall asleep. Thanks for mentioning Judy!
I exercise daily, free weights, qi gong, yoga and dance. I make sure I have eaten something healthy not sweets. If I have trouble sleeping I will listen to a meditation cd.
These are some great coping mechanisms Laurie. Yoga is also a great alternative. If you can't find a class nearby, just pickup a yoga DVD and give it a try in your living room.
One of the healthy coping mechanisms that I have been working on (off and on) for the past two years is exercise. This exercise is in the form of walking 20 to 30 minutes per day. Unfortunately, this seems to be subject to the weather-too hot when over 100 degrees. That is not to say that I couldn't find an indoor treadmill to use on these days; but I don't!
Another healthy coping mechanism is stretching; especially the head/neck/upper back. Working on the computer for hours each day creates much tension in this area of the body. Spending a few minutes each day or several times a day, can help to loosen up the muscles and reduce tension.
Ultimately, I would like to participate in a yoga class. I have not found one that is close and convenient to where I live yet so I could walk. I certainly don't want to have to drive to a class as driving will create more stress.
Laurie
I'll learn to let them go and focus more on the present moment.
Exercising and sharing are two concepts I use to deal with stress.
