[beth]

Apart from ice cream (!) I've found the following very useful for getting calm and clear.

1. Put on some music with a beat that is slower than your heart rate. This will slow your own heart rate down. It will work even quicker if you sing or hum along.

2. Lie down and, starting with the toes, progressively clench and unclench every muscle in your body. By the end, you will be surprised at how much looser you feel. Try not to go to sleep though!

3. Putting a dab of a calming essential such as lavender, mandarin, or rosewood on your neck so that you can readily breathe it in can really change your mood into a calmer one in just a few minutes.

4. Walk out into the sunshine if you're cooped up inside. Touch a leaf if you can. Getting in touch with nature is a great revitalizer.

Can anyone add their favorite tip so we can get a really useful set of suggestions for all us stressed-out folk out there?

[ksshalimom]

When Im really stressed on the verge of screaming, I close my eyes and think of my son or somewhere I would like to be.. beach, amusement park, etc. Anything that will get my mind away from the present. I also try to put in perspective my situation with people that have a worse situation than me.. That really changes my mood to appreciate what I have and feel "that this too shall pass"

[My2boysnagirl]

Originally Posted by beth

Apart from ice cream (!) I've found the following very useful for getting calm and clear.

1. Put on some music with a beat that is slower than your heart rate. This will slow your own heart rate down. It will work even quicker if you sing or hum along.

2. Lie down and, starting with the toes, progressively clench and unclench every muscle in your body. By the end, you will be surprised at how much looser you feel. Try not to go to sleep though!

3. Putting a dab of a calming essential such as lavender, mandarin, or rosewood on your neck so that you can readily breathe it in can really change your mood into a calmer one in just a few minutes.

4. Walk out into the sunshine if you're cooped up inside. Touch a leaf if you can. Getting in touch with nature is a great revitalizer.

Can anyone add their favorite tip so we can get a really useful set of suggestions for all us stressed-out folk out there?

Hi, I just wanted to say what a great post this is. I think this is a wonderful idea and Guess what I"m going to use it today! I am always stressed out! ALWAYS~ So thank you so very very much. Take good care of yourself as well as all who are reading this

[My2boysnagirl]

Originally Posted by ksshalimom

When Im really stressed on the verge of screaming, I close my eyes and think of my son or somewhere I would like to be.. beach, amusement park, etc. Anything that will get my mind away from the present. I also try to put in perspective my situation with people that have a worse situation than me.. That really changes my mood to appreciate what I have and feel "that this too shall pass"

That does help doesn't it. I do this too, Or I try too, depends on how angry I am at the moment, but I do think how fortunate I am, and how things could be much worse, than any situation I'm in being whatever it is, I'm in.

[for_a_good_cause]

Hi, I agree, this is a great post. I get stressed out to the point of irrationality, i can't think straight and i have complete tunnel vision on the situation that is stressing me out. During those stressful times i find it hard to switch my mind off at night, or better still, think of more positive things i have done with my day. I want to share this technique that i got from a de-stress website. Its called 6 OF THE BEST. Each night before you go to sleep do the SIX OF THE BEST EXERCISE. Today what was the best thing 1. I saw 2. I ate 3. I received 4. I did for me 5. I did for someone else 6. I found funny. This really helpsyou to focus on more positive and constructive things and helps to widen your perspective on things that are important to you - other than the thing that is stressing you out!!! Its a lot more relaxing than worrying thoughts.

[beth]

Yep, this could be a really great thread for the stressed! I loved the last post, it's a great idea - it sure beats lying there thinking bad thoughts! Anyone else with some great ideas for stress release, please post them. Let's try to get a ready guide up and running with a remedy for every situation! Keep 'em coming!!

[beth]

I am a psychologist writing a new blog for Families.com on the subject of mental health. One of the issues I will be focusing on in upcoming blogs is looking at the benefits of prevention in regard to emotional illness. Just as prevention is better than cure in the area of physical health, so it is with mental health. In upcoming blogs you will find all sorts of tips on how to reduce your stress load, how to "stress-proof" yourself, and what to do if stress has taken over your life. Just click on the link below to check out this new blog, and feel free to suggest any special topics you would like to see on the blog. See you there!