How do you deal with stress?

[pollaxe]

Exercise, exercise and more exercise. That seems to help me the most (I'm told I get very cranky to be around if I don't train regularly.)

I also fall back to watching familiar comedies, Father Ted (though thinking about Dermot Morgan's untimely death leaves a bit of a pang) Spaced, The Fast Show, Fawlty Towers and, more recently, The Big Bang Theory and Two And A Half Men helps me. I think one of the key things is to keep your mind off the negative stuff as it's a definite spiral if you do. Alcohol never seems to help me if I'm stressed (it is a depressant, after all) it always makes it worse though it took me a while to realise it.

I'd also highly recommend the Paul McKenna's stress control hypnotherapy book/CD. Yoga and meditation/relaxation classes too if they're not too expensive. Try a few things and see what works best for you.

[eshrules]

Exercise, exercise and more exercise. That seems to help me the most (I'm told I get very cranky to be around if I don't train regularly.)

I also fall back to watching familiar comedies, Father Ted (though thinking about Dermot Morgan's untimely death leaves a bit of a pang) Spaced, The Fast Show, Fawlty Towers and, more recently, The Big Bang Theory and Two And A Half Men helps me. I think one of the key things is to keep your mind off the negative stuff as it's a definite spiral if you do. Alcohol never seems to help me if I'm stressed (it is a depressant, after all) it always makes it worse though it took me a while to realise it.

I'd also highly recommend the Paul McKenna's stress control hypnotherapy book/CD. Yoga and meditation/relaxation classes too if they're not too expensive. Try a few things and see what works best for you.

I've often heard about the effectiveness of these with handling stress. Yoga (although possibly a bit disconcerting for some men to uptake) has health and fitness benefits beyond stress management too - good call imho

[jim]

I've often heard about the effectiveness of these with handling stress. Yoga (although possibly a bit disconcerting for some men to uptake) has health and fitness benefits beyond stress management too - good call imho

I've done Pilates myself on the recommendation of my osteopath, felt like a bit of an idiot at first owing to the gender thing so I took my girlfriend with me but once you're there you realise it's a bit irrational. Was probably about a third blokes there, all ages, so shouldn't have been so worried in the first place

Pilates isn't a million miles from Yoga, although it's more about building up muscular strength in the stomach and back than flexibility. Similar relaxing, breathing, low-stress qualities though - I would highly recommend it.

[menthel]

I am not sure I do. I don't get stressed very often but I may just be bottling it up without knowing! Either that or I am just very laid back!

[G4Z]

smoking.

[Phage]

Migraine

[mycarsavw]

Stress at work = go for a walk through the local town, admire the tramps, drunks and nobbers and come back feeling 100% better.

Stress at home = retreat to my man cave, select my "<another word for poo>kicking" playlist and lose myself.

...getting stuck into some DIY gives me something to focus on. By the time I've finished, I've forgotten what wound me up in the first place.

Ah ha, so that's how that destroyed section of wall came about!

...go for a cheeky 'smoke' in the back garden....

Is that a euphemism

[Ben Rogers]

Valium and some Lagers.

[ed^chigliak]

Roll 1D3

1. Zhang Zhong.
2. Hardcore larping.
3. Urtication with nettles.

[Stoo]

I tend to get sleepy.. dunno why..

*shrug*

[Lee H]

Is that a euphemism

Ahh, no... I wish I thought of it that way inclined, but I'm sorry to report that I do stand in the garden sheltering from the elements on occasions.

I may have to turn the old coal bunker into a sheltered seated area to keep me dry when out having a smoke in the garden

[bsodmike]

I would decant a glass of my favourite single malt on the rocks (not more than 2 cubes!) and pick out a cuban to accompany said drink; this gives me time to reflect over past decisions, frustrations etc. and is quite relaxing to boot.

[Singh400]

Most of the stuff I simply just ignore and don't let it get to me. Those things that do get to me and I can't get out of my head. I go for a long virgious tiresome walk. Seems to help me.

Plan on going to the gym soon as well.

[Salazaar]

I would decant a glass of my favourite single malt on the rocks

Ice? Surely just a spot of spring water?

[bsodmike]

Ice? Surely just a spot of spring water?

Not when it's sweltering outside. The humidity has been getting progressively worse and the heats just going through the roof (P.S. I'm in Sri Lanka).

Of course, I do run the A/Cs throughout the house, on all the floors but I do not like smoking cigars indoors. I'd go out onto the balcony for this...

[Salazaar]

I forgot you were in Sri Lanka. Okay, you're forgiven