De-Stress

January7

I don’t really know what to write.  I’ve been kind of a writing funk.  More precisely the stress of everything it getting to me.  I’m in trouble financially, my doctors aren’t currently doing anything to help me get better, and I’ve been doing a lot of “being there” for my friends and family which I am more than happy to do – it’s just that its emotionally draining.

It’s so important to stay stress free when you have any chronic illness but especially one that’s autoimmune related.  High levels of stress lead to flareups of my illness.

Once upon a time I was a cutter.  Since then I have found other ways to de-stress that don’t involve hurting myself.  Now I have a little chocolate therapy on occasion (or rather frequently), I watch a favorite movie (usually The Princess Bride when I’m not feeling well), I talk to a friend or my sister about what’s bothering me, I scrapbook, or I force myself to write in this blog.  I’m feeling a little better already.

What do you do to de-stress when the road gets too bumpy?

A page from my Peace Book.

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posted under Chronic Illness, Doctors, Life Issues, Writing

“De-Stress”

1. On January 7th, 2010 at 9:14 pm amanda Says:

   You r a great friend for being there all those times . I do a lot of writing or actually chatting with u to destress ..I also do surveys, play with my baby boy, go for a late night drive with the music blasting. Call a friend…eat (which I need to stop) and shop..also a problem area..lol. sometimes I just pretend everything is ok…which can cause me to ignore problems, but its great at the time..lol..just hang in there girl! Love ya! <3

2. On January 8th, 2010 at 10:58 am Gilly Says:

   I de-stress by spending time online, mostly with my support group members and chatting with friends, I also love to read, crime thrillers mostly and my favourite second only to being online is to shop. I’m currently paying the price for my last shopping spree however so E-bay is a good de-stressing option!!!
   Gilly x

3. On January 12th, 2010 at 8:40 am sally in norfolk Says:

   Thankfully i dont have much stress in my life at the moment but when i did i de-stressed by going running and even now if i feel alittle down or low i take myself off for a run and it works wonders x

4. On February 17th, 2010 at 2:41 pm IamFree Says:

   Hi there. My advice is to get a book that will make you look at the things that stress you and asks you if they are worth being stressed about. Sure, you might automatically say YES, but think about it some more.
   The book that helped me through anxiety (and intrusive thoughts) was called Feeling Good by David Burns. At first I didn’t think it was for me because it was written with depression in mind, but once I got through a couple chapters I started seeing some of my ways of thinking were causing me great deals of stress. Now i’m taking it easy. I’m saying it would be nice to do this or that instead of ‘gotta do, should do, gotta be perfect’, etc.

   Take care. You’ll be fine. It’s just that i think distractions are good but they don’t peel away the layers of stress.

   D