Topic : Coping with Stress

I have found an excellent way to relieve my stress and reduce some of life's anxieties.  And that is music.   There are so many different genres of music but some are specifically geared at helping to reduce stress.  Either way, if you find some kind of music that you like, you can kick back, close your eyes, and focus on the music instead of your problems for a while.  I find that taking my mind off things, if only for a while, helps me to reflect and problem-solve, and feel more energized and better ready to handle things constantly being thrown my way. 

  

I like a lot of music but my favorite artist for just such a purpose:  BRADLEY JOSEPH 

  

He's a wonderful composer/pianist/keyboardist, who creates the most emotional music I've ever heard.    A lot of his music is designed to help the listener "calm, compose, and renew".  And some of his music is fun and upbeat which really helps my mood too - gets my bootie moving to clean this house!  LOL  

  

What is your favorite music to help relieve stress?   

  

  

 Stress is something i know A LOT about after the past few years dealing with my health and just being a teen in general.  One place that i go to calm down and be happy is the message board that i moderate.  its full of a lot of fun, intelligent, and interesting people and the conversations leave me feeling pretty good.  Recently i started karate, that has helped me get in shape, release my anger, decrease my anxiety, and has also helped with my breathing.  we actually have breathing exercises in class that stretch your lungs, and that does WODNERS for someone with asthma. 

as jewels1 said music is a great stress reliever.

i have a lot of different types of music that i listen to, but my favorite is just about anything metal/rock.  I like a lot of different bands that most people would probably want to ban from playing in their city(many of my favorites have).  I like intelligent music that is well thought out, good lyrics, stuff like that.  also soemthing i can relate to.  music is about expression, and a lot of musicians express the violence and agression that i can't right now.  to me listening to some really, really hard metal calms me down.  i guess the best way i can describe it is with a question...ever just had such a rough day where you would just like to throw something, or hit a punching bag?  well, the metal i like does that for you with the music.  lots of people think rock and metal makes kids violent, it doesnt.  if a kid has serious issues they will act out anyways. 

to be honest stress does ruin my life sometimes.because my stress goes from that to anger then thats how i really get into trouble.

Quote by Sellinger:   i have a lot of different types of music that i listen to, but my favorite is just about anything metal/rock.  I like a lot of different bands that most people would probably want to ban from playing in their city(many of my favorites have).  I like intelligent music that is well thought out, good lyrics, stuff like that.  also soemthing i can relate to.  music is about expression, and a lot of musicians express the violence and agression that i can't right now.  to me listening to some really, really hard metal calms me down.  i guess the best way i can describe it is with a question...ever just had such a rough day where you would just like to throw something, or hit a punching bag?  well, the metal i like does that for you with the music.  lots of people think rock and metal makes kids violent, it doesnt.  if a kid has serious issues they will act out anyways.   

 

Hmmm, good point Sellingen! My son has always liked heavy metal/rock, and I may not like it much, but he's a good kid, hasn't affected him negatively that I can tell. I've never really thought to ask him if that is what helps him feel better - his music, maybe I should.  Interesting.  

 

Okay two completely opposite genres that help deal with stress - contemporary instrumental, and heavy metal.  

 

What else? 

 

I too used to find heavy metal a great stress reliever. Metallica being my all time favorite.  It was a way to express my anger with out acting out.  The only bad thing about using it as your main crutch for stress or emotions is...it becomes a crutch.  I am now 31 and am finding that I still do not always use good coping skills and that it is part of the reason why I still have to take antidepressants.  It sux!  I imagined myself at this age to have it all together.   

  

I posted to this subject because I needed to post and did not know exactly where to reply.  A little about me.  I am a single mother of an 8 years old.  Never married.  I moved three years ago, 1800 miles away from my home town, to work with my company and I still don't have any social life.  I have tried churches, community events, etc.  I am at a lost.  I cant hide in my apartment all the time, and I need to get out as much as my son does and socialize.   

  

Any suggestions would be appreciated?! 

I need someone to explain this to me. 

  

I am having a hard time understanding people.  From my point of view, I always give people benefit of the doubt until the other person proves me wrong.  I always give people ( in general) just an once of respect at our first meeting.  I always say thank you, sorry and excuse me.  But I feel like am the only one.  There is the saying that goes around in here, you teach people how to treat you.  Well....what is wrong with this way?  And believe me I am not a door mat either.  I have people who do not like me, because I am too direct. 

  

I can be walking along at the store, no one knows me, I have not said anything, just shopping and people will run into me, they step in front of me with out a word of excuse me.  I am going down the street in my car, I always run with my lights on, even in the daytime, people pull out in front of me, causing me to have to step hard on the brakes.   

  

Where did all these rude people come from?  Why is being nasty first always better?  Why can't people look beyond their own nose to realise there are other people around them? 

 Maybe you are under such stress in life that these sorts of people just stand out like sore thumbs. I used to be stressed and anxious all the time, and the whole world seemed to be geared towards getting my goat! Everytime I turned around I was being, snubbed, discounted, ignored, cut off, and just plain stepped on.

There is an over abundance of rudeness in our lives today, but when you decide not to concentrate on it, it takes a back seat. I now look for the bright spots that come up everyday. And I've found that once I found peace and serenity in myself, I project a persona that others respond to. Instead of frowns and avoidance, I get smiles and helpful gestures.

I know how that feels.  It is unnerving in and of itself when your brain just won't shut up.  Have you tried writing in a journal?  You could even use the diaries feature here.   Sometimes it helps me to write a list of the things on my mind that I need to do, so I can reassure myself that I can continue my worrying tomorrow! LOL  Try a physical activity like folding laundry, because work that requires repetitive hand motions often quiets the brain.  Oh yeah, you are a psych major, you probably know that.  Don't be afraid to talk to a counselor or your pastor about your anxieties, or even speak to your doctor.  He might give you some medicine to help you relax.  Just some thoughts!   

Good Luck and Smile! 

~Sunshine~ 

You can find more helpful information about coping with stress at www.embracingwomanshealth.com.  Check it out.

I will be sure to check that out!