HOW DO YOU 'DE-STRESS'?

I have been feeling really stressed the past few weeks, and my shoulders ache sooo soo badly, as badly as they did during college finals!!!

Help!!!

Things I am stressed about:
Weight/Nutrition
B-School Application that I need to work on
Work
Living Together (still getting used to it)

Surprisingly, I don't thing wedding belongs anywhere on that list... I am almost done and I have literally stopped doing planning related things.

FH Claims my writing style is the boring business style, something i have been doing for the past 4 yrs... How the heck am I supposed to transform it into something that is captivating to read!!!

Oy vey...

Alina, this might sound strange but since I met my hubby he has taught me that you must never let yourself get so streesed that you need to de-stress. I live by that motto. If I am feeling frustrated or anything that might bring on stress the gym, shopping, pedicure, massage, facial, a new hair do these always help. Or my old favorite, eat something sweet

I try to spend at least ONE full day a week where I don't do anything wedding related. I also do counted cross stitch, and that keeps my mind off of everything.

I think the most important thing is just to take some time for yourself, no phones, no computer, and just do what you feel like doing--napping, reading, watching your favorite movie, taking a walk on the beach, shopping, gardening, whatever you do that takes your mind off your troubles and relaxes you.

And do it ALONE (or with a close cherished friend). You can meet up with your guy later or something. I think everybody needs down time and alone time. Especially when getting used to having someone around us all the time!!

Good luck!

KarenM

Shamma, FH doesnt' stress, ever... I don't know how he does that I may do a pedicure sometime this weekend... After all summer will be here soon...

And no neon green sandals

Sunny, I plan to work on the essays on sat. morning, and not going out friday, so that not to have a hangover...

I have 2 rough drafts for 2 essays, and in the third, I have to 'creatively describe myself to my classmates', not so sure an essay is in order, perhaps a cartoon painting with snippets of statements that describe me and my immediate world.

Alina, unless it matched your capris or your pocketbook

My hubby stresses over nothing, I am this >< close to being there

You can also get a shoulder massage if a full one is not in the budget at this time

Unfortunately for me, I shop. Like today, I'm totally stressed out of my mind from my FMIL, so I plan on going bag shopping at lunch, even though I'm broke. Bad, very very bad.

I think everyone has good suggestions!! If it is in your budget...what about going to a spa for a day? Well, I hope all goes well!!

I read, take a bath, run, or get a massage. Manicures and pedicures always help too.

I do know a shoulder exercise that helps relieve the physical tension in your shoulders. A friend who is a physical therapist taught it to me - made all the difference in the world for the chronic tension in my neck and shoulders.

It's really easy. Clasp your hands behind your back (low, near your butt) and pull down as far as you can, pushing your shoulder blades together. Hold for a count of 20, release, do it again, hold for 20 count, etc. Repeat ten times a day. It really, really helped. You'll find that it will help your posture too...

believe it or not, but when Im STRESSED, I workout at the gym, and lift weights, that TOTALLY De-Stresses me

And I ask hubby for rubs

my number 1 destresser is anything crafty - usually crocheting or cross-stitch. i also want to learn how to decoupage.

i try to avoid eating to de-stress - that causes a different kind of stress

even just curling up with a good book and a hot cup of tea usually does it for me!!

i sleep ... a LOT

I agree that exercise, definitely helps in lowering stress.

XANAX

Suzanne!!

I was out of work from September to December (then was doing temp work and now back to being out of work) and I was stressed everyday. The list was endless. I was so stressed I didnt even want to get out of bed and face the day. I screened calls because every time the phone rang it was always someone looking for money or a head hunter giving me stress.

So I made one day a week my relaxing day. I treated myself to a tanning session, manicure, pedicure and I go to Starbucks and buy the biggest coffee.

Now I am out of work again and I wasnt stressing at first, but its slowly starting as anything related with money stresses me out (we have 3 HUGE bills due the same week and I havent gotten my unemployement for 3 weeks because unemployement needs to varify with my temp agency that I worked because there was a break in my unemployement. Once varified I'll get 4 weeks including this week of unemployment. STRESSING till then because my bank account is almost zero. FI gets paid bi-weekly and this weeks pay check is going to pay the huge bills. So money is tight for a little and its non stop STRESS until I get my unemployement)