What do you do to reduce your stress?

[Kulotz]

How do you manage your stress level? Recently, I started meditation and it seems very helpful.

[Rosexøxø]

😏 Do I really want to say…

Lol I just watch comedy; listen to music (to fit the vibe/ change the vibe/ or classical); funny videos. I sometimes cook and try to make it all chef boyardee like- no I mean, chef Ramsay of course 🧐👀.

I have sometimes engaged in sexual activity. It’s a way to not think about the actual stressor as much, release good chemicals, and then rest afterwards. Like sometimes I’d pair that after a refreshing shower/pampering, nice meal/favorite snack, hydration, and then engage in that and then conclude it with rest. Sometimes it feels too shallow though. It’s almost like using your body or just using someone else’s when you have a “problem.” So this one definitely isn’t a main go to for me.

The other ones can be soothing naturally, and exciting. Sometimes inspiring movies are good for my stressed days. I usually have no problem taking a mini vacation for napping lol. I’ll nap most of the day stay in pajamas/ watch whatever I feel like, and of course snack on anything I desire, and then bring it back to focus on tasks within the day.

Whenever I watch my sister’s dog for her, I definitely enjoy the walks I take with him. Nice walks are always good and sometimes a walking buddy too. He and I can just be quiet and enjoy the senses of smell/ sight/ touch/sound with the weather getting nicer and all.

Sometimes chats with the family isn’t too bad. Stirring up drama/tea. Talking about some minor issues of people living better than us and saying, “yeah I guess we all have our bad days.” lol

I don’t know, living more, appreciating more, acknowledging life outside, and beautiful things can be very relaxing and a nice healthy distraction from stress. Instead of just focusing on that stressor or choosing to stay in the midst of it. Always thinking of what can be done to alleviate/ solve the issue behind it, is always helpful too. Sometimes when you did the solution… that’s the most relieving thing 😆. Taking breaks and coming back to the drawing board is cool too, if you can’t see a good solution readily available.

[sheikalana]

There’s someone in my life which is my beloved Husband that always makes me forget about any issues in life. Once he steps in the house after work and I see his face I completely forget about anything else and forget about all the bad things. When we’re away from each he’s the one I call when I’m having a bad day it’s like magic how hearing his voice calms me down.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

This is going to sound so weird but I am oppositely wired of most people in terms of stress relief. So instead of doing things like sunbathing at the beach or getting a relaxing massage (such things will tend to contribute to my stress), my idea of stress relief is more like really grueling menial labor, bungee jumping, doing sprint intervals to lung-bursting levels, etc.

I think it's because I test really high on the sensation-seeking scale like this:

I'm also very prone to think on hyperdrive mode and I think that's the main source of my stress is just having too much time to myself to think. So it's actually doing things so thrilling or engaging that I can't think of anything else but what I'm doing that ends up being my ultimate stress relief.

Similarly, I find music that dominates the foreground to be the most relaxing, not calm and soothing music but music more like this:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ABsCPwpG4KY

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Also love to party. I'm an extreme extrovert so being in very rowdy places and able to talk to a wide variety of people is a major source of stress relief for me.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Some of this might also be my job. I work a sedentary and antisocial desk job as a software developer. That involves sitting in a chair a lot typing code (what I should probably be doing now but I'm procrastinating). So that might also be why I find so much stress relief in physically demanding activities, social activities, thrilling activities, and only find more stress in very passive activities that aren't very social, thrilling, or physical (I already do that most of the day for my work).

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Also dancing and sing. I really enjoy dancing and Karaoke. I don't like Karaoke boxes though where it's just me and a small group of friends. I prefer Karaoke bars where I can sing to a massive audience and also talk to new people all the time. Also arm-wrestling; I am not very good at it but I've started to learn from arm wrestlers how to train properly as an arm-wrestler (a lot of overloaded eccentrics).

[Kulotz]

I see your point. Whatever works for you. The things like bungee jumping are a big no for me I might die doing that I guess

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

That thrill-seeking side of me is where I tend to get into most trouble. 😅 Do you like rollercoasters? They seem relatively safe and I find if I'm having a very stressful week, all I need to do is ride a rollercoaster and I'm good as new. In Tokyo we had this one called Thunder Dolphin that was only like a 15 min train ride from where I lived. I went all the time and it was also my favorite location for first dates:
https://youtu.be/aKL3B6cbnlo

[SandandWaves]

I wanna ride on that, right now

[molonski2]

Thats a great answer bro , I can really understand how that helps..
Having bungee jumped in Thailand at age 50 , the feeling after was Wowwwwwww!

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Cheers! 🤝 It's awesome stress relief!

[JoePro_]

Depends on where I'm stressed, but I guess the core principles are the same. Do or watch something that takes my mind off the stressor for a bit. In and of itself, it doesn't get rid of the stressor or give me a solution on how to handle the stressor, but sometimes it'll give my mind sufficient rest where something comes to mind on how to better handle it, or it comes to a point where I can't think of any better way to handle it and I just need to get in there, take care of it, and get it over with.

[Claire2002]

I do many things but I will give you one golden suggestion: never ignore basic human needs.

Many people work when they didn't sleep enough. Or they are hungry but they think that they are weak or lazy if they make a break to eat. Or they don't turn on the thermostat and stay in the cold.

These are basic human needs. Whenever you ignore them, your stress levels skyrocket and it doesn't matter how relaxed you are. This is physical stress and it can debilitate your body and mind.

Never ignore basic human needs and stay away from idiots who tell you to do it. The typical archetype of this person is the guy/girl who tells you that you are lazy if you sleep 8 hours. "Move your ass and work in the morning". Run away from them.

[Rosexøxø]

So helpful 🎯💯💖

[Mr_twoface]

Shopping! Which is totally smoothing, calming, and puts a smile on my face.

The credit card bill might stress me out BUT we re-do the above cycle and I'll be happy again!

[Kulotz]

Hahahaha I like shopping too. I hope one day I will be shopping without thinking any debt!

[mobiusforniner]

Playing music. Mostly piano or violin. When I play music, I don’t think about what I’m playing. I’m transported elsewhere, often imagining the future or reminiscing of the past. my fingers and feet move from pure muscle memory, the sound intensity depending solely on what I’m feeling in that moment. As such music holds an extremely intimate significance for me- what emanates as a sound is really emotions from deep within, providing an avenue to channel those emotions in a constructive and beneficial way. I feel calm, uplifted. I feel FREE.

[PeachyPie93]

Listening to music and keeping my mind busy help me reduce stress. As long as I don't think about the problem, it is all good.

[bobalife]

Drink Boba tea, run to my fave lake park and enjoy the lake, catnap, talk to friends, night drive, listen to music, or etc

[Anonymous]

Typical guy answer here. Sports and Porn (porn of course). I believe that when in a relationship or marriage porn is good. It keeps a woman’s “good” man at home instead of out there sniffing around for the real thing. After a long day at a physically exhausting job, coming home to rub one out is physically pleasurable. A job where l am helping to provide a living for a spouse and kid (s). I understand that women feel that they aren’t “enough” or that porn is a form of cheating, when their man indulges. Most women aren’t put off by a man drinking beer or hard liquor, within reason, after a long day. So why should football or porn be different. Besides, doesn’t a man’s self gratification give his women a break from time to time? Especially when a woman’s body isn’t always healthy enough for her to please him?

[Flatmanlewis]

Depends on how much time I have. Camping is high on the list but take a time commitment. Most of the time it’s one of the less time consuming events: Smoke a cigar with a drink. Go for a run. Read a book. Cook up a good meal. Soak in a hot tub. Mediate. Take a nap. Play catch with my son. Walk the dog. Bible study. Sometimes, all the above.

[Unit1]

I got burned out a long time ago from it, so instead i get sleepy easily and sleep it off. Feeling like an old cat or an old dog, that spends most of it's time sleeping. At the age of 29.

[Cynicaldreamer]

Exercise. Specifically weights or walking depending on how stressed I am or where I'm at.
For example, if I'm at work and wound up, I'll go for a walk around the campus. Good stress relief and helps me stay in shape instead of stress eating.

[Kulotz]

walking helps a lot I totally agree to that

[BonzoInBitburg]

Cooking. If I've had "One of those days" I'll go to the grocery store and buy random ingredients and spend a couple hours cooking a fancy dinner

[DaBiggestBird]

I wouldn’t say I ever get stressed, but when I’m feeling mildly annoyed, I like to listen to Frieza’s Horrific Power. I feel like a cat sitting in Frieza’s lap as he pets me while he and Cooler are saying racist things about Saiyans for no reason.

[Siri137]

Meditation I've never tried, so to relieve stress I do something else that starts with the letter M, and it is very effective! :)

[Levin]

Mastication

[Siri137]

@Levin Close, so very close, but no. It rhymes with that word. Come on, you can do it. :D

[Levin]

I think I worked it out. I bet Aussies do this a lot.

[ThrobbingMeat]

One word: masochism. @Billlewis can also be your mentor. Smile next time you're kicked in the balls. It makes you invincible and any attempts to stress you make you only happier.

[Billlewis]

Yes, Sir, thank you for being so kind, and using me as an example of a total loser, I appreciate your kindness and generosity, Sir.

[itsclearlynicholas]

TV, alone time, hanging out with friends or me time. Quality peace activities 😀

[itsclearlynicholas]

The internet, duh. And breaks from screen time. A shower. You gotta love for the life you lead 😈😋

[Billlewis]

If all else fails, I'll make some calls, and find someone who can take a cane to my bare bottom and thrash me within an inch of my life... lol

[Nikki1989]

I shut myself away in the band room and play music.

[Agape93]

I do woodworking, cooking, reading, play a game, go shooting

[Yannae]

This place actually helps!

[Kulotz]

glad to hear that!

[Anonymous]

i have very unhealthy coping mechanisms and if i'm not lashing out, i am binge eating.

just telling the truth. hopefully one day i'll be better. but i was never taught how to cope with big emotions growing up. so this is what happens.

[butterly248]

My stress levels are ridiculous. I get stressed over the smallest things! But this place actually helps ❤️