Dealing with Stress and Stress-Relief Tips

[Brown Eyes]

Hey Friends,

So, I'm starting this topic really to ask advice about how to relieve stress.  Lately, I've really felt a lot of stress at work to the point where I found my self crying (a tiny bit) in my office at work the other day (over nothing really... so I think it was largely a stress reaction).

Besides hanging out and having good times on BetterMost and/or watching BBM and/or reading fanfic, etc. all of which I employ often as stress-relief strategies... 

What do you all recommend in terms of dealing with daily stress?

Actually, seriously, I've been spending a ridiculous amount of time logged on to BetterMost at work lately too, which is wonderful for my Brokie-self, but I recognize it too as being a sign of stress at work.
 

thanks,
Amanda

[Front-Ranger]

This is a great topic and I'm so glad you brought it up! But, where to begin!?!?!?

I guess something to recognize at first is that stress is omnipresent in our lives. We are hardly better than animals when it comes to the amount of stress we endure.

But, there is hope! You're right that BetterMost is a great stress reliever! And another thing...be good to yourself. Love yourself. You must not let that little voice in your head gain the upper hand. You know the voice I mean? yes, I think everyone does. The critical parent voice. The sooner you get rid of it, the better off you'll be!

[ifyoucantfixit]

.


        Aww Amanda, I am so sorry you have been feeling down lately.  We all have those times
for whatever reasons.  Life is full of stress, and some lives more than others.
        I can tell you what i have learned to do that helps me, dont know if it will work for you,
but it will be worth a try.
        I dont know if you know but i used to play pool in tournaments a lot..locally and nationally.
I have also played a lot of Poker, and you have to deal with stess without showing it ...as per a
poker face.  But I digress.  The reason why we usually have the feelings that we recognize as stress
related. Is  because we get into the fight or flight response...the protective mode.  We freeze up
like we are holding our breath to not be detected...Our adreneline is raised, and we start to tense up..We get shakey and weak from lack of oxygen.  That makes us more afraid...The cycle heightens.
        Then when we finally start to calm down and relax our adreneline drops making us feel sad and overwrought.  Thus the tears...now those are the common reasons for the feelings, now there is
a relatively simple routine to help with all of that...not every time, but most of the tme, and somewhat nearly every time...That is to breathe...long and slow deep enriching breaths...through your mouth....breathe in and hold it for the count of five, exhale every last ounce of air you can again thru your mouth.  then do it all again.. ten times minimum, and more if needed...however usually you will find ten will do the job...
         I am not a doctor, but I have used this method successfully and have taught it to a lot of others as well.
         And may I also recommend the "Inner Book of Tennis"  or other like books they have
some very helpful hints as well...
         You cannot evade stress in our modern world, but you can learn to help yourself handle it
more easily.                                                               Good luck.....

[opinionista]

Hi Amanda,

I am also under a lot of stress. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping and have surprised my self crying over nothing important. The way I manage stress is taking one or two hours a day to do some exercise or go for a walk. No matter how busy I am, I always take that time off. In my case, I run and swim, but you can also take a walk to a park or some pretty place. For example, walking (or running) where there are trees or do some window shopping has been helpful for me. When you do this, you have to take work and its problems off your mind. Another thing I do, when I have time, is take one Friday or Saturday night to go dancing. Or dance at home. Try to do these activities after work. I think it is important to relief some stress everyday after work, and go to bed as relaxed as you can be. 

I am still very stressed out but everytime I do some excersice I relax and sleep better. It helps me stay focused and more put together the next day.

I hope it helps!

You're right that BetterMost is a great stress reliever!

I agree but being in front of a computer when you are feeling stressful is not always a good idea. I guess it works for some people but IMHO it is better to go out for some fresh air, if it is possible of course. (I know sometimes work does not allow it).

[serious crayons]

Hi Amanda and everybody, good topic!

I think BetterMost can be a stress reliever. I myself use it as an escape when RL gets too stressful. It immediately takes me to another world, in a way, so by the time I return to RL I feel better. Sometimes getting away for a while really is helpful.

I've also had a lot of luck with walks. Maybe for similar reasons. When I feel depressed or stressed, and I take a walk I almost always feel much better by the time I'm done.

As Janice says, breathing can be helpful for quick relief. The breath counts I've seen recommended before are slightly different (Dr. Andrew Weil has one that's something like 4 counts in through nose, hold for four, out for seven -- or something like that, anyway), but that probably isn't a big deal. The main point is to stop, breathe, concentrate on your breathing. Part of the benefit is just pausing to relax, but breathing itself seems to have some kind of magical quality. The explanation I've heard is that it's the doorway between our conscious actions (things we do deliberately, like walking or typing) and our unconscious actions (things we do on autopilot, like digesting or our heart beating) -- breathing can be either one.

[Shasta542]

You probably all already do these, but this is my stress buster advice:

Take a walk and think about what you are seeing, not about work or whatever it is that is stressful to you. Think about the scenery, good memories, blessings, etc. Course-ya gotta have time to do that. But it doesn't have to be a long walk every time.

Pet your pet. Sometimes in the mornings when I let the dogs out, one of my old dogs sits on the steps with me. I rub his chest and kiss his face and he nuzzles my ear and shakes my hand, and we have a little chat. It's so nice. Or I sit in the floor and they gather around and sit all over me--that lowers the blood pressure. If you don't have a pet, you could volunteer at the Humane Society or foster a pet for a rescue organization.

Do something for someone else. It takes my mind off my own problems. This takes time, too, but when you have time it's great therapy. I collect things from the Marine's list and make boxes to send to soldiers in Iraq, and I enjoy doing that immensely. But it could be a neighbor or a friend. Whoever or whatever it is--you benefit as much or more than the recipient.

[Penthesilea]

Sorry to hear you have a hard time at work Amanda  .

A favorite stress-reducing activity of my friend is taking a bath in the evening. Soak up real good in the bathtub.

A simple tip for people who have difficulties getting to sleep at night, becaue their heads spin with things they have to do the next day(s): put a pen and a sheet of paper on your nightstand. When you keep thinking: oh, I HAVE to do this or that tomorrow, MUST remember to phone my mother-in-law, may not forget to email the inscurance company, etc, etc - write it down. When you've written it down you can be sure to remember it the next day and are able to let it go for now and get your head free.

For short time stress reducing when you're at work, I think Janice's tip is good. I personally have another method which I can only half recomment: I go out for a smoke. While I don't want you to start smoking, the other part of the deal may be helpful: get out of the stressful situation for a few minutes (if you are allowed to). Get out of your office and out of the building if possible. For me it helps a great deal to gain a bodily distance, to leave the room, for just five minutes.

[MaineWriter]

I find if I am stressed at work because of the work (like I have too much to do) I make a list of everything I have to do--then start crossing the things off as I do them. That feeling of "okay, yes, I am making progress" can do a lot to relieve that overwhelmed stressful feeling.

If the stress is coming from co-workers (friction, not getting along, etc) that is a little harder to deal with. Fortunately, in my tiny 1.5 person office, this is not much of a problem for me anymore. Even so, if I have people issues (irate emails or whatever) I always wait 24 hours before responding. I find that time is a great healer and gives me perspective to deal with the issue.

My best stress buster is laughter and thank goodness for the Internet for that! I can usually find some sort of funny video, article, movie review or something else that will give me a chuckle and help to take my mind off the stress problem.

And if I am feeling depressed and down from stress, I take a page from Scarlett O'Hara's book: "Tomorrow is another day." After a good night's sleep, I always feel better--and I just remind myself of that.

L

[shortfiction]

Walking is a great stress reliever and mind-clarifier.  If it's too hot outside, try walking inside the mall.

If you can afford it once in a while, try a day spa.  Just a thereapeutic scalp massage, reflexology session or something similar can really help.    Guys, too!

[Brown Eyes]

Wow! Hi Buds!  Thanks for all your concern and advice.  I agree that exercise is one major key in dealing with stress.  So, I've been making an effort to be better about developing an exercise routine.  I don't have a gym in Pittsburgh, because I haven't found one that I like here yet.  I used to have a really fun gym in Philly when I was in grad school.  But, now I'm having to invent my own exercise like walks, etc.

I think my feelings of stress lately have to do with feeling like I'm in a rut right now in my life combined with the fact that work is the most significant thing in my real life at the moment.  I devote way too much energy to work and it's making me nuts.  I don't think I gave myself enough of a break between grad school and work either, so I'm growing really concerned that I'm burning myself out.
 
Work is busy at the moment, but nothing is really wrong... there's no crisis, etc.  But, I'm feeling the urge to behave more and more like a slacker, which is not a good thing at all.

Grrrr...  Anyway, thank you all again for your support.

p.s. I'm so excited this weekend is a 3 day weekend!  Yeehaw!  This definitely is a welcome break.

[Kerry]

Hi Amanda, my stress buster is an oldie but a goodie - meditation. 

At dusk every night I light a candle and meditate.

Over the years I have developed my own technique, which probably has more in common with self-hypnosis and New Age creative visualisation techniques than any dogmatic esoteric philosophy or eastern religion.

Try this at a time each day that's convenient for you and fits in with your normal routine:

* Turn off the phone.

* Choose a place that you know will be quiet and where you will not be interrupted.

* Dress comfortably.

* Light a candle.

* Sit in a straight-back chair so your back can be straight, allowing your chakras to be aligned (don't slouch).

* Place you hands, cupped, in your lap with the palms upward (to catch the blessings), right hand above left, thumb tips gently touching.

* Gaze gently into the flickering candle flame (don't strain).

* Become mindful of your breath  going in and out, in and out, and consider how wonderful it is, this life giving breath.

* As you concentrate on your breathing, allow your mind and body to relax (keep the back gently straight) and allow your eyes to flutter and close gently of their own accord.

* Allow your mind, without force, to go to a place where you feel safe and secure. My personal technique is to imagine I'm standing on a very slowly moving escalator, which gently takes me down into a beautiful rainforest. As I go down, down, down on the escalator I tell myself I am deep, deep, deep asleep, and totally relaxed. Sometimes I never get to the rainforest floor, but I am aware of all the rainforest imagery - verdancy, moist fecundity, distant birdsong and waterfall. All this is part of my creative visualisation. If you find it too bizarre to imagine an escalator in a rainforest, you might prefer to thing of yourself descending to the forest floor via stairs. Or you can choose your own imagery. Swimming with dolphins, for example.

* Allow yourself to go with the visualisation you have created for as long as you require and are comfortable. I usually stay under for between 20-30 minutes, sometimes longer when I have more available time. I suggest starting with short periods of perhaps 5-10 minutes.

* With practice, you will find that you feel so relaxed and at peace, you won't want to leave the blissful state you have created. In time, you will progress to a state where your mind is completely free of all conscious thought. Stay there for as long as you are comfortable.

* You will know when the time is right for you to come back to reality. At that time, gently tell yourself that you will be counting from 10-0 and that when you get to 0 you will be wide awake and fully refreshed. And then, gently start counting  from 10-0 at your own pace. You will find that when you get to about 5, your eyes will gently open of their own accord and you will start to hear background sounds. 

Tip: If you are distracted by sounds or unwanted thoughts whilst meditating, do not attempt to actively combat them and force them from your mind. Rather, simply accept that they are there and allow them to pass through your mind. Personally, because I live in a large city, I eliminate background noise by wearing earplugs.

Gad, I didn't mean this to be so long! 

I hope you find it useful. 

[Kelda]

Walking certainly helps me, but I now do yoga on  wednesday moring and I have found that really great too.. really relaxes you and sets you up for the day.

Day dreaming is my other stress relievr - but I would welcome tips cos I can get very stressed and anxious too.

Hope these tips are being of use Amanda!

[mvansand76]

Hey Amanda- good idea for a discussion! Ever since I was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome I have had to deal with a lot of physical pain that stressed me out so much, and the stress in turn made the pain in my muscles worse next to the nerve pain I was dealing with.

What is important to know is how your stress manifests itself, do you get headache, neck pain, back pain, tummy ache? Then go see a therapist who also deals with body-mind issues, psychosomatic problems. They will be able to help you find out what it is exactly that's bothering you. You need to find a therapist who doesn't only deal with the cognitive part of the problem, but also the emotional part!

[Shasta542]

Calm down while looking at sculptures:

http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?p=276956

  I guess they're real.??

[Penthesilea]

Calm down while looking at sculptures:

http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?p=276956

  I guess they're real.??

Oh wow. They are incredible! I'm enthusiastic about those sculptures.
Thanks for posting the link. Would you like to open a new topic about it in the Culture Tent, or mind me doing so?

[Shasta542]

Oh wow. They are incredible! I'm enthusiastic about those sculptures.
Thanks for posting the link. Would you like to open a new topic about it in the Culture Tent, or mind me doing so?

I'll be glad for you to, Chrissi.  

Here are some other views and some different ones:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ronmueck/

[Brokeback_Dev]

I light several candles and fill up the bath tub with hot water, a little epsom salt helps. Then I just soak.  i dont worry about washing my hair or shaving my legs..  I just lay there.. Oh yeah and make sure you have a pillow made for the bath tub.  its awesome..  something about water and candles..  also watching a pretty sunset on the water is great too if i can ever get there..  You'd think i go a lot.... its only 10 miles from home

anyway try the bath tub...candles a must  and if you can the sunset..

[lil darlin]

Thanks for the advice dev....a soak in the tub sounds heavenly.... i will do exactly that as soon as we finish painting the bathroom, and adding the fixtures and a new cabinet.....i like the candle idea, which i need to make time for... since it seems I'm always in a rush to get in and out of the bath.  I'll let you know if your advice destresses me.   
                         Thanks again,   Glory

[Penthesilea]

I'll be glad for you to, Chrissi.  

Here are some other views and some different ones:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ronmueck/

Thank you Shasta 

Here's the topic:
http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,13063.0.html

[Brokeback_Dev]

Thanks for the advice dev....a soak in the tub sounds heavenly.... i will do exactly that as soon as we finish painting the bathroom, and adding the fixtures and a new cabinet.....i like the candle idea, which i need to make time for... since it seems I'm always in a rush to get in and out of the bath.  I'll let you know if your advice destresses me.   
                         Thanks again,   Glory

I did my bathroom in a sun, moon and stars theme.  I painted it a golden color.

[Kelda]

I light several candles and fill up the bath tub with hot water, a little epsom salt helps. Then I just soak.  i dont worry about washing my hair or shaving my legs..  I just lay there.. Oh yeah and make sure you have a pillow made for the bath tub.  its awesome..  something about water and candles..  also watching a pretty sunset on the water is great too if i can ever get there..  You'd think i go a lot.... its only 10 miles from home

anyway try the bath tub...candles a must  and if you can the sunset..

Do ya know - I might just head there once I've watched my fave show - the amazing race! in fact its the ads - I'm gonna start running the bath!

[Brokeback_Dev]

Do ya know - I might just head there once I've watched my fave show - the amazing race! in fact its the ads - I'm gonna start running the bath!

me too Kelda!

[Kelda]

I enjoyed that! Thanks Dev!

[jstephens9]

I'm not really sure how this fits in with the topic, but it is definitely a stress inducer. I seem to have a really hard time making decisions especially about things such as trips. I question to death whether I should go places or not. I seem to find reasons of why not to go such as I don't want to go through the airport hassle, or I don't like flying that much, or I should build up my vacation time, or I shouldn't spend the money. I will then think I do want to go and get excited about it. Then I start going through my reasons for not going again. So I switch from one side of the decision to the other over and over. That definitely produces stress. Does anyone else ever do this or does anyone have any thoughts about this?

[Kelda]

My holidays is the thing I love - so I always spend on that but I do spend a lot of time researching trying to find the best price etec etc. I quite like that excitement part of the planning! But I can undertand why it's stress you out. It does to me sometimes when things aren't going my way - ie I can't find what I'm looking for!

How about saving a little each month specifically for your holidays - that way you'll not feel guilty about spending the money and you have an idea of yor budget etc.

[jstephens9]

What Amazing Race are you watching Kelda? I heard that they will not show another here until January or February 

[Kelda]

What Amazing Race are you watching Kelda? I heard that they will not show another here until January or February 

Season 9 is currently showing on TV here for the first time (although I've seen it on bit torrent)

I have seen season 10 on you tube and season 11 on bit torrent though.

I just need to see part of season 1 and 2 and all of 4 and then I'll have seen them all (I even loved S8 - but be cos I'm non american!)

Can't wait to S12 but its meant to be shorter - no non elim legs! (I am also a  member of the TARflies forum so I know its already been filmed - in the month of July - so its in the can - ready to be shown ither in place of a current dud or at the start of the new season of shows in Jan/Feb!!)

[Brown Eyes]

I'm not really sure how this fits in with the topic, but it is definitely a stress inducer. I seem to have a really hard time making decisions especially about things such as trips. I question to death whether I should go places or not. I seem to find reasons of why not to go such as I don't want to go through the airport hassle, or I don't like flying that much, or I should build up my vacation time, or I shouldn't spend the money. I will then think I do want to go and get excited about it. Then I start going through my reasons for not going again. So I switch from one side of the decision to the other over and over. That definitely produces stress. Does anyone else ever do this or does anyone have any thoughts about this?

I think I can relate to this.  I often become a nervous wreck before a big trip.  My thing is that I fret that something will go horribly wrong.  I only have this kind of nervousness about really long distance trips or trips that send me to a country I'm not familiar with.  And, I understand too the feeling of going back and forth between nervousness and excitement.  But, my job has caused me to do a ton of traveling in the last two years and almost in every case I've traveled alone.  So, this has actually helped a lot in having me get over my old nervous tendencies.

Before the BBQ I worried a lot about that decision too... and of course it ended up being absolutely fantastic and a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience.  That's the thing with travel... once I'm there or in the midst of a trip I'm always super excited and happy. So, I always try to remember that as I plan.

cheers,
Amanda

[serious crayons]

I think I can relate to this.  I often become a nervous wreck before a big trip.  My thing is that I fret that something will go horribly wrong.

I know what you mean. I occasionally get those flashes -- someone's going to drown or get in an accident or something like that. But most of the time I can just shrug them off. I'm not afraid of flying or anything. Having missed my flight on my last trip -- to Colorado in May for the Brokie BBQ! -- both made me more cautious and was somewhat reassuring. I was lucky; I got on the next plane and was only delayed an hour or two.

I have a trip to Italy coming up, though, which is making me more nervous than usual. I am going to meet friends there, but they're going at different times and on different planes. And the plane itinerary I have -- though thankfully I got my ticket free, using frequent-flier miles, is kind of scary.

First, there's the way there: I arrive in Amsterdam at 11 a.m. something, then leave there at 5 p.m. something -- so already that's a long and awkward wait. But the worst part is that I then arrive in Rome at 8 p.m. Then there's a train from the airport to Rome which (as I recall -- I was there a couple of years ago) may add an hour or so, so by the time I get to Rome it will be 9ish. But ALSO I have to meet my friends in Florence at 9 a.m. the next day, which apparently is the only time they could get tickets to the famous Uffizi Gallery. So my plan is to take a train from Rome to Florence, which gets me into Florence -- if I'm lucky and the planes are all on time and I catch the fast train -- somewhere around 11 p.m. Then I have to find my way to my hotel. All this, in unfamiliar cities with a language I don't speak and I'm sure a pretty bad case of jet lag (though I'll be eating my dried cherries!  )

The way back is just as bad. The only flight out of Rome I could get is at 6:15 a.m. And since you're supposed to be at the airport two hours early, that will have me leaving to go to the airport sometime around 3 a.m.!

I have tried to get the times changed, but &%*#^$!  Northwest says they have no other FF seats available -- when you're using FF miles, you don't have a lot of choices. I'm going to keep calling between now and the time I leave (Oct. 3) to see if anything opens up. For instance, it would be ideal to fly directly into Florence, and perhaps there's a better flight out of Florence at the end, as well.

So I am excited about the trip, but every time I think about it these issues loom up and stress me out! 

[Brown Eyes]

Hey Katherine,

I remember you telling me about your flight dilemma and stress on your way to the BBQ.  Well, I for one am super happy that it all worked out and that you weren't too terribly delayed.  I'm still so happy that you were able to pick me up at the airport.  That drive out to Estes was so fun!


I know exactly what you mean about worrying over the details and logistics in terms of catching connections and figuring out all those travel plans in unfamiliar countries and cities. Sometimes thinking about all the steps it takes to get somewhere can be overwhelming.  Maybe thinking about it one step at a time might make it seem less daunting.   And, I'm sure it will all be just so exciting!  What an adventure you'll have... I'm very jealous!  Let me know how you like the Uffizi.  To my shame as an art historian, I've never been there (I've never been to Italy period).  I'm sure all the great memories that you'll make on your trip will completely cancel out all the worries about the logistics.

cheers
Amanda

[serious crayons]

Thanks, Amanda! I wouldn't worry so much if it weren't all happening in the middle of the night! 

Never been to Italy, hunh? Maybe now's your time! Catch a flight arriving in Rome at 8 p.m. Oct. 4, and we can head toward the Uffizi together, just as we did the BBQ!

[Shakesthecoffecan]

I get so tense before a flight. I try to relax but i am more afraid of missing the flight than something going wrong with the plane. Once I get to the airpost I just resign myself to being handled like cattle and go with the flow. Once I am at the gate I am just fine.

[Brown Eyes]

Never been to Italy, hunh? Maybe now's your time! Catch a flight arriving in Rome at 8 p.m. Oct. 4, and we can head toward the Uffizi together, just as we did the BBQ!

Oooooooooo, now this sounds like quite a tempting offer.   

But, alas, I don't think it's meant to be this time. 

[Kelda]

What an adventure you'll have... I'm very jealous!  Let me know how you like the Uffizi.  To my shame as an art historian, I've never been there (I've never been to Italy period).  I'm sure all the great memories that you'll make on your trip will completely cancel out all the worries about the logistics.

cheers
Amanda

I have!!! Some of the pieces were amazing birth of venus and of course David sits outside in the square, so Katherine I imagine if you are into art, then you'll absolutely love it!

But I know its bad to admit but half way round I got kinda bored..... shows my ignorance! But there was only so many men in military poses and woman in portrait poses looking grumpy that would hold my interest!

[serious crayons]

Last time my friend and I went to Italy, she told me she'd booked a three-hour tour of the Vatican. "OMG -- three hours??!" I said, rolling my eyes.

And ctually the tour wound up going longer than three hours -- but it was riveting!

Of course, we had a particularly great guide.

[Kelda]

Last time my friend and I went to Italy, she told me she'd booked a three-hour tour of the Vatican. "OMG -- three hours??!" I said, rolling my eyes.

And ctually the tour wound up going longer than three hours -- but it was riveting!

Of course, we had a particularly great guide.

 

[belbbmfan]

I have!!! Some of the pieces were amazing birth of venus and of course David sits outside in the square, so Katherine I imagine if you are into art, then you'll absolutely love it!

But I know its bad to admit but half way round I got kinda bored..... shows my ignorance! But there was only so many men in military poses and woman in portrait poses looking grumpy that would hold my interest!

 

Exactly! That's how it always goes in those big museums, like the Louvre or the Prado. You just can't like everything. A museum tour can get very tiring too. The trick is to really select what you want to see and just skip the rest.

I always feel for those people who go on an organised group tour and then have to follow their 'leader' (in some cases waving an umbrella  ) for hours on end in a museum! 

[serious crayons]

I always feel for those people who go on an organised group tour and then have to follow their 'leader' (in some cases waving an umbrella  ) for hours on end in a museum! 

I used to think the very same way, until I went on tours in Rome. Our Leader was a 27-year-old cute ancient-history grad student from New Hampshire who gave very informal and kind of juicy talks explaining the stories behind this and that. We went on a night walking tour and a Vatican tour. Afterward, he and my friend and I wound up drinking wine and going out for dinner, and the next day he gave us our own private tour of the Borghese gallery. He was really fun.

I think I got much more out of those tours than I would have wandering through on my own. Plus met a friend and learned a lot more about contemporary Italian culture than I would have otherwise.

[Kelda]

bumping some old threads

[Front-Ranger]

Wise advice from our dear Shasta.

You probably all already do these, but this is my stress buster advice:

Take a walk and think about what you are seeing, not about work or whatever it is that is stressful to you. Think about the scenery, good memories, blessings, etc. Course-ya gotta have time to do that. But it doesn't have to be a long walk every time.

Pet your pet. Sometimes in the mornings when I let the dogs out, one of my old dogs sits on the steps with me. I rub his chest and kiss his face and he nuzzles my ear and shakes my hand, and we have a little chat. It's so nice. Or I sit in the floor and they gather around and sit all over me--that lowers the blood pressure. If you don't have a pet, you could volunteer at the Humane Society or foster a pet for a rescue organization.

Do something for someone else. It takes my mind off my own problems. This takes time, too, but when you have time it's great therapy. I collect things from the Marine's list and make boxes to send to soldiers in Iraq, and I enjoy doing that immensely. But it could be a neighbor or a friend. Whoever or whatever it is--you benefit as much or more than the recipient.

[Sason]

Very wise advice.

Thanks for reposting, Lee.

[Front-Ranger]

It's something to think about, especially during the holidays. When I went to Nepal earlier this year, I experienced relief from stress for the first time in over 20 years. You may think that's a strange thing to say, especially since I was trekking about 10 miles a day, at high altitude with a lot of up and down climbing and staying in primitive conditions. But, there was no multitasking, no politics, no obsessing over what to watch on TV (no TVs), no dealing with noise and environmental pollution. There were no bills, no computers, no flashing lights, no telephones ringing, no deadlines, no drama queens, no crashing computers, no software to figure out.

These days, I spend a lot of time trying to relieve stress because I learned from my Nepal experience that stress is deadly. When I get home from work, I often spend time watering my plants which I find to be therapeutic. I cook my own food whenever I can, because that calms me. Before bed, I apply lots of soothing creams and I often light a candle. Books are stacked by my bed to amuse me and my cat often joins me there. My she-den refreshes and nourishes me immensely and arms me to venture out into the cold cruel world again!

[Front-Ranger]

Last night I discovered a new stress reduction technique: dancing! I was playing some background music while cooking my dinner and one particular tune was so intriguing that I dropped my cooking spoon, jumped into the living room, and started moving to the music! Three minutes later, I felt like a new woman!

The music was a little like Toto's "Out of Africa". Very melodic with a strong beat.

[serious crayons]

Last night I discovered a new stress reduction technique: dancing! I was playing some background music while cooking my dinner and one particular tune was so intriguing that I dropped my cooking spoon, jumped into the living room, and started moving to the music! Three minutes later, I felt like a new woman!

Dance therapy! I like it. You could teach classes at the local Y or gym.

The music was a little like Toto's "Out of Africa". Very melodic with a strong beat.

What was it specifically? Or did you hear it on the radio and miss the announcer saying?

[Front-Ranger]

The song was "Barbarian" by Dagda, from the album Celtic Trance. No wonder I liked it. . .it's in my DNA!

The song was on a compilation album called Music Sampler 2000 by Natural Wonders. Other good songs on that album are "Circle 3" by Sonic Tribe and "Celtic Grove" by Clair Marlo.

[brianr]

I had to go and search in my blog. (I rarely blog nowadays. I do wish blogging had not almost disappeared. I have no interest in Facebook and have never even looked at twitter. I like to write and read something more meaningful.)
Anyway back in  2008 I was writing about a youtube video I had seen of 2 guys coming out at school something, of course, completely impossible when I was a student in the early 1960's.  I finished
"Anyway after having a good cry, I went and put my CD of South Pacific on and was soon waltzing around the lounge room. (Perhaps it is just as well I live alone).

I get depressed but from observation of friends who suffer from depression, I know I do not. None of them would find a cure by playing a Broadway musical CD."
 

[Front-Ranger]

Great, brian. Blogs are not going away. Keep blogging!

My stress releiving actions are stepping up. I'm more aware of the stress I'm exposed to. Oftentimes, it's others' stress that's being passed on to me.

[serious crayons]

Oftentimes, it's others' stress that's being passed on to me.

I have that one, too.

I was anxious about so many things that eventually the anxiety took on a life of its own. So now I feel anxious when I'm not even thinking of anything stressful.

[CellarDweller]

I think I need to find a way to get my coworker to deal with her stress.  I think she had a panic attack the other day.

[Front-Ranger]

Yes, I'm gathering tips to help my boyfriend R. ease his stress. I guess fuzzy socks won't work for him.

What about confronting the problem that's causing your stress? Has anyone had any luck doing that?

Another new thing I've discovered is that ironing is a good stress reducer, as long as you're not doing last-minute ironing.

[brianr]

Another new thing I've discovered is that ironing is a good stress reducer, as long as you're not doing last-minute ironing.

I loathe ironing. Going into the spare room and seeing the ironing piled up is a cause of stress. 

[CellarDweller]

Another new thing I've discovered is that ironing is a good stress reducer, as long as you're not doing last-minute ironing.

It's the same for my mom.  She says she likes ironing because it's "mindless" and she can zone out and relax while she does it.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Another new thing I've discovered is that ironing is a good stress reducer, as long as you're not doing last-minute ironing.

I've found just about any housework will do it because it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

[serious crayons]

What about confronting the problem that's causing your stress? Has anyone had any luck doing that?

Yes. When I've stressed over financial troubles I've found that actually opening my bills and looking at my bank account helps! 

Seriously, during the years I was underemployed I was so stressed about finances that I was afraid to look. Finally I did, and even sorting things out and knowing where I stood made me feel better. It didn't really solve the problems, but I think the stress came at least partly from my own awareness that I was avoiding facing them.

[Front-Ranger]

Yes. When I've stressed over financial troubles I've found that actually opening my bills and looking at my bank account helps! 

...the stress came at least partly from my own awareness that I was avoiding facing them.

Yes, I'm starting to realize that too!

[Front-Ranger]

Mmmmmm. Making Cumberland Sauce. The aromas of citrus, ginger, and port wine. Delicious!

[CellarDweller]

Mmmmmm. Making Cumberland Sauce. The aromas of citrus, ginger, and port wine. Delicious!

Is that how you relieve stress? 

[Front-Ranger]

Yes! It's aromatherapy, a time-tested remedy!!

[serious crayons]

What do you do with the sauce (besides relieve stress)?

Lavender is said to relieve stress aromatically. At the grocery store they're selling little foot-tall Christmas-tree-shaped lavender plants. I might get one!

[Front-Ranger]

It's for use with roasted meat and poultry. The main ingredient is red currant jelly; currants and meat have been paired since ancient times.

[Front-Ranger]

Here's another tip. . . massage lotion (preferably lavender-scented) into feet, then put on the fuzzy socks. Heavenly!

Although some people don't like foot massages at all. There's no help for them.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Here's another tip. . . massage lotion (preferably lavender-scented) into feet, then put on the fuzzy socks. Heavenly!

Although some people don't like foot massages at all. There's no help for them.

Others don't like fuzzy socks. 

[Front-Ranger]

True, dat.

I was listening to a woman talking on NPR today about cooking for Thanksgiving, and she called the luscious amber liquid "maple see-rup". It grated on my ears, and nerves. There was something else she said that bothered me. I hope I'm not becoming intolerant. That's a sign of oldness and senility, IMO.

[Front-Ranger]

Lavender is said to relieve stress aromatically. At the grocery store they're selling little foot-tall Christmas-tree-shaped lavender plants. I might get one!

I read some research that found the scent of lavender was a turn-on for men. Surprising.

[serious crayons]

I read some research that found the scent of lavender was a turn-on for men. Surprising.

I once recommended lavender scented lotion to a Facebook friend for some reason, and she said she didn't like to wear lavender because it's "too masculine." Hunh? I don't really get that. But maybe lavender is a turn-on for gay men!

[serious crayons]

Although some people don't like foot massages at all. There's no help for them.

I'm not big on extensive foot massages, but I don't mind rubbing lotion onto my own feet.

[CellarDweller]

I read some research that found the scent of lavender was a turn-on for men. Surprising.

I've never heard that before.  Interesting!

[Front-Ranger]

Today, my boyfriend R. was driving back from a medical appointment and told me later that he stopped at Whole Foods and bought three chocolate cupcakes. I reminded him that he could get a referral from his doctor to see a counselor to help him develop some coping skills to decrease his self-destructive behavior. He replied that he'd rather have the cupcakes. Secretly, I agreed with him but I would rather have a nice unagi bowl, which is my stress-busting go-to food. Once you develop a taste for sugar, though, it's probably harder to beat than opiods!

R. definitely has reason to stress out. He's executor of his mother's estate. She died suddenly almost two months ago. He also recently went in for a check-up and was told that there was an area of concern on the prostate and his "platelets" were down, indicating internal problems. I'm taking him in for a biopsy on Friday. There have been a lot of dramatic phone calls over the past week or two and I'm starting to question his German and Scottish ancestry. I am firmly in the stiff upper lip camp, which I suppose makes it easier for me to help him out.

[serious crayons]

Today, my boyfriend R. was driving back from a medical appointment and told me later that he stopped at Whole Foods and bought three chocolate cupcakes. I reminded him that he could get a referral from his doctor to see a counselor to help him develop some coping skills to decrease his self-destructive behavior. He replied that he'd rather have the cupcakes. Secretly, I agreed with him but I would rather have a nice unagi bowl, which is my stress-busting go-to food. Once you develop a taste for sugar, though, it's probably harder to beat than opiods!

I've never tried to quit opioids but quitting sugar isn't that hard. I followed a very low-carb diet for a while in 2013, which of course prohibited anything sweet, even most fruits (I ate berries, which are lower in carbs than other fruits). After a couple of weeks I didn't miss sugar at all. I could stand in front of a bakery counter and not be the least bit tempted. I've heard others say they had similar experiences.

Since then I've gone back to eating sugar occasionally (and starch much more often) but I don't have the same sweet tooth I once had. If someone hands me a piece of birthday cake I'm probably not going to turn it down. Late at night, if I know my son is harboring chocolate, I might steal a few Hershey's kisses. I did succumb to some pumpkin bread this fall. But i never even look at the dessert menu in restaurants.
 
Years on years ago, I had a serious sugar addiction, maybe worse than R's. I would go into a bakery and get one of pretty much everything. I would eat until I felt sick, then throw the rest out -- but keeping them in the bakery bag. Later I would fish the bag out of the garbage and eat some more of them (again, they hadn't actually touched garbage, but still). I wasn't like this all the time, but I would get spells of it every few months, each lasting a few days.

I haven't had that happen in several decades, though.

And I had to google unagi bowl but it sounds delicious!

There have been a lot of dramatic phone calls over the past week or two and I'm starting to question his German and Scottish ancestry.

Wow, that's a lot of faith in the power of ancestral countries of origin! 

Maybe some ancient ancestor mated with an Irish person and a stray hot-tempered gene made its way down through the generations.

[CellarDweller]

He replied that he'd rather have the cupcakes. Secretly, I agreed with him but I would rather have a nice unagi bowl, which is my stress-busting go-to food. Once you develop a taste for sugar, though, it's probably harder to beat than opiods!

I can understand one cupcake, but three is a bit much.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Massage is good, but I guess it's not something you can do yourself, except your feet (if you're Cassie you need a cowboy to do it). A full-body massage can also be expensive. I know a guy. He's very good. He's not cheap, but it seems like he starts at my shoulders (my shoulders get especially tight) and pushes all the stress down my body and out at my feet. (I could use that right now, but, unfortunately I don't have time.) He's well worth the expense.

OK, there is another method I use to relieve stress. I can do it myself. So I'll be direct, if crude, or maybe that's crude, if direct, or whatever, but the method is masturbation. (It also helps relieve the pain of a migraine.) I ain't jokin'.

[Front-Ranger]

 

Yes, I am well aware of that method as well as its cousin, sex. R. tells me about it all the time. For an older man, he is as insatiable as a teen-aged boy. We used to have an "active" relationship but it just got to be too much. When my mother died and I entered a state of grieving, it seemed the perfect time to back away from the bedroom, and I haven't felt the need to start up again. But R. has, and that's fine with me, as long as I don't have to be there.

Things are very lopsided in the age of Viagra, IMO!!

Some people, under stress, take a Falstaffian approach, more is better and too much is better still! In my case, I get overwhelmed easily so too much of anything causes me more stress!

[Jeff Wrangler]

Yes, I am well aware of that method as well as its cousin, sex. R. tells me about it all the time. For an older man, he is as insatiable as a teen-aged boy.

I guess us guys don't talk about this stuff, but for almost a year, I've just about been on hyperdrive. I've attributed it to two things. One was stress over my father's health last winter. The other was facing turning 60.

[CellarDweller]

I'm not really into massage.  The thought of being in that chair while some stranger rubs me is a little.....unnerving.

[serious crayons]

Yes, I am well aware of that method as well as its cousin, sex.

   That's a very Proulesque way to put it! What was it about the water? Its domestic cousin? I need to find my STS!

We used to have an "active" relationship but it just got to be too much. When my mother died and I entered a state of grieving, it seemed the perfect time to back away from the bedroom, and I haven't felt the need to start up again. But R. has, and that's fine with me, as long as I don't have to be there.

If that works for both of you, sounds like a good solution!

Some people, under stress, take a Falstaffian approach, more is better and too much is better still! In my case, I get overwhelmed easily so too much of anything causes me more stress!

I think it's true, there are people who are sort of "stress junkies." Jeremy Renner's character in that movie about the bomb defusers is a good example. His deployment ended but when he got home he couldn't handle walking around a peaceful grocery store, so he went back.

I also suspect busy famous people -- Beyonce, Hillary Clinton, people like that -- are similar. They enjoy having a high-pressure busy life.

But there's another side to it. I have a book on anxiety -- it's not medical or self-help; it's a journalistic book about the subject -- that has an interesting counter-story. The guy interviewed a bunch of people with really scary jobs -- who were terrified much of the time.

One was a military officer on a submarine deciding whether to fire on Russia as a counter a reported nuclear attack (which turned out not to have happened). Another was a guy who was deathly afraid of heights but had a job that required standing on the roof of a building (for a TV show or something; I can't remember the context). Anyway, the journalist -- who had experienced anxiety himself -- was interested in people like that, who just power through their fears.

[Front-Ranger]

I think it's true, there are people who are sort of "stress junkies." Jeremy Renner's character in that movie about the bomb defusers is a good example. His deployment ended but when he got home he couldn't handle walking around a peaceful grocery store, so he went back.

Yes, "The Hurt Locker". That was a very powerful movie! Another movie that addressed that was "Plenty". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plenty_(film)

[Front-Ranger]

I think it's true, there are people who are sort of "stress junkies." Jeremy Renner's character in that movie about the bomb defusers is a good example. His deployment ended but when he got home he couldn't handle walking around a peaceful grocery store, so he went back.

As I recall from the movie, what really got to him was when his wife asked him to select a box of cereal, he was overwhelmed by all the choices and the superficiality of the consumer society that he had sacrificed so much for. Anyway, that's how I interpreted the shot where the camera zoomed out to show a long supermarket aisle crammed with boxes of processed foods.

[serious crayons]

As I recall from the movie, what really got to him was when his wife asked him to select a box of cereal, he was overwhelmed by all the choices and the superficiality of the consumer society that he had sacrificed so much for. Anyway, that's how I interpreted the shot where the camera zoomed out to show a long supermarket aisle crammed with boxes of processed foods.

I didn't pick up on his thinking about having sacrificed for it, but I agree that the shot contrasted the superficiality of a million cereal choices vs. life-and-death situations. I think a lot of journalists as well as soldiers feel a letdown after leaving a combat zone and returning to the mundane trivialities of this culture. Personally, I'd feel a huge relief and in fact wouldn't go there in the first place if I could help it. But some people like the higher stakes and adrenaline rushes.

[Front-Ranger]

Sometimes it's the little things that help us deal with stress, right?

[serious crayons]

Agreed with everything except the corner brownie. And only sometimes with the canceled plans.

[CellarDweller]

lmao!  Yeah, I've enjoyed all those  things at times, but my drink in the morning is usually cranberry juice.

[Front-Ranger]

Magic words: "I've made some lasagna. Will you come over and eat it with me?" 

[Front-Ranger]

Two things, in addition to the lasagna invitation, have greatly relieved my stress lately and I think they will surprise you.

The stress comes primarily from dealing with these renters from hell that are living above me. It occurred to me suddenly that one of the attractions of living here is that (they think) a feeble-minded pushover of an old lady lives down below. Well, they have another think coming! But it still did cause me stress which made it more difficult just to get through the day.

All that changed on Sunday when I went to the monthly meeting of the Sherlock Holmes book club. It's about two dozen nerdy people who like to get together at an English-style pub and discuss one of Doyle's classic mystery stories. But before discussing, we have a quiz. . .and guess who won the quiz this month! Out of all these people who have been studying these stories for years and years, little old me won the quiz! I told everybody it was a boost I really needed.

The second thing is that I had a brainstorm yesterday in connection with all the federal workers who are having to go without their salaries. There's a free web site called Meal Train where you can set up a connection for volunteers to deliver meals to people. Working with my church and the county action center, I've put all the structures in place to start setting up meal trains. I'm really jazzed about this and happy that I found something positive to do in the morass of this phony national crisis, government shutdown, and public presidential tantrum. 

[CellarDweller]

Magic words: "I've made some lasagna. Will you come over and eat it with me?" 

Magic words indeed!

[serious crayons]

All that changed on Sunday when I went to the monthly meeting of the Sherlock Holmes book club. It's about two dozen nerdy people who like to get together at an English-style pub and discuss one of Doyle's classic mystery stories. But before discussing, we have a quiz. . .and guess who won the quiz this month! Out of all these people who have been studying these stories for years and years, little old me won the quiz! I told everybody it was a boost I really needed.

Nice! And that sounds like a fun club.

The second thing is that I had a brainstorm yesterday in connection with all the federal workers who are having to go without their salaries. There's a free web site called Meal Train where you can set up a connection for volunteers to deliver meals to people. Working with my church and the county action center, I've put all the structures in place to start setting up meal trains. I'm really jazzed about this and happy that I found something positive to do in the morass of this phony national crisis, government shutdown, and public presidential tantrum. 

Better to light a candle than to curse Donald Trump! Well, actually it's good to do both.

Maybe I've missed it, but I don't recall you saying much about your church involvement in the past. I mean, obviously Jeff talks about church quite a lot, but I don't think I've seen you mention going to church or being involved in church activities. What religion/denomination, if I may ask? Are you pretty active?

I would go to church if there were a Unitarian church anywhere near me. There's a church right behind my house -- a very nice church; they let us do our neighborhood vegetable gardens there and even supply the water. And so convenient! Unfortunately, they're not Unitarian.

[Front-Ranger]

I started taking my mother to a Presbyterian church when she first moved to Denver. It's a bit of a new-age church with a small band that includes a bass and electric guitar, drums, violin, piano and vocals. They only have an organist come in once or twice a year. Mom missed the old hymns but occasionally one is in the service. I love the minister, she is really inspiring. Plus, the church was just so supportive when Mom had her final illness. I had in the back of my mind that I would stop going after Mom died but I have found it to be immensely calming, stress relieving and renewing to my spirit.

Very few Presbyterian churches are like that though. I attribute mine's uniqueness to the leadership of the minister and to the elders, many of whom have children who attend. A great priority is given to the young people of the church. Another thing I like about it is that we have sponsored more than 200 families in Rwanda and a group goes there almost every year.

[serious crayons]

Those are the reasons I'd like to belong to a Unitarian church. My mom was pretty active in one for a long time, but by the time she died she hadn't been there for years. I've probably told you this before, but when she died I asked if we could hold a memorial service there -- thinking we'd just get the site -- and the church really stepped up. The minister had never met her, but he interviewed me, looked over her papers and gave a fantastic eulogy. The church ladies made bars and coffee, and they supplied AV equipment and things like that.

I realized then -- and had it confirmed later through other people, like you -- that churches serve a great function of building community, helping each other, providing structure for community service, etc. That's especially helpful as you get older. If I lived within 10 minutes of one, I'd go.

[CellarDweller]

Better to light a candle than to curse Donald Trump! Well, actually it's good to do both.

 

[Front-Ranger]

This is about stress's step-brother, depression. A detailed new study confirms that following the Mediterranean diet can alleviate depression:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2018/09/29/mediterranean-diet-may-reduce-risk-for-depression-study-finds/#3e2e9d6f6bac

Suddenly I'm jazzed about eating again, and am going to sit down to a lunch of salad, fruit, cheese, and pasta. Also, because I'm under stress as well, cream of chicken soup.

Here's a photo. I have to stay away from almonds, though, because I've found they cause me to have kidney stones. Sorry if that's TMI!!

[Front-Ranger]

Call it stress, depression, or whatever. I've got it bad! On the local scene, there was another Columbine incident yesterday, only 7 miles away from where two students shot up a school 20 years ago. And on the national front, I'm reading in this week's New Yorker that "Trump has declared a near-blanket denial of all congressional requests for information and testimony from members of his Administration".

Step One in the battle against this madness is self-care: strengthening and preparing to be the Sacred Warrior, as it's called in permaculture. I'm working to improve my diet. It wasn't that bad before but I slid into some bad habits. My daughter was cleaning out all products containing yeast (it's a requirement for Passover) and gave me a bunch of doughy stuff that I really didn't need. I've worked through most of that and am stocking up on more healthy choices. For lunch today, I had cream of chicken soup with added bone broth and spring greens. (I really have a craving for those delicious scallions and fortunately, many are coming up in my garden!) I also made a salad with dandelion greens, cottage cheese, tiny tomatoes, pickled cucumbers, chick peas, and spinach. Yummy! I feel energized!

[serious crayons]

On the local scene, there was another Columbine incident yesterday, only 7 miles away from where two students shot up a school 20 years ago.

That was so sad about the one kid, about to graduate, who lunged at the shooter and was killed but gave his classmates time to escape.

Step One in the battle against this madness is self-care: strengthening and preparing to be the Sacred Warrior, as it's called in permaculture. I'm working to improve my diet. It wasn't that bad before but I slid into some bad habits. My daughter was cleaning out all products containing yeast (it's a requirement for Passover) and gave me a bunch of doughy stuff that I really didn't need. I've worked through most of that and am stocking up on more healthy choices. For lunch today, I had cream of chicken soup with added bone broth and spring greens. (I really have a craving for those delicious scallions and fortunately, many are coming up in my garden!) I also made a salad with dandelion greens, cottage cheese, tiny tomatoes, pickled cucumbers, chick peas, and spinach. Yummy! I feel energized!

Good plan! I'll take some inspiration from you. Lately I've let my diet and exercise habits slip and I'm feeling tired a lot. I need to get back on track with things like bone broth and greens.

BTW yesterday I was reading this piece about kelp, which made it sound great: delicious, sustainable, nutritious. I'm not sure where it's available but I'll look either online or at local co-ops.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/30/dining/kelp-seaweed-recipes.html?fallback=0&recId=1KomnhJnxA1A0ikMgnr2PNemWHZ&locked=0&geoContinent=NA&geoRegion=MN&recAlloc=story&geoCountry=US&blockId=home-featured&imp_id=992375983&action=click&module=editorContent&pgtype=Article&region=CompanionColumn&contentCollection=Trending

[Front-Ranger]

I have some dried kelp that I put into boiling water to make a broth called dashi. Also, I have this seasoning called furikake, which contains sesame seed and seaweed. It is a basic seasoning that you can add to rice, soup, or anything to add flavor and nutrition. I obtained both things at the local Oriental market.

[serious crayons]

I have some dried kelp that I put into boiling water to make a broth called dashi. Also, I have this seasoning called furikake, which contains sesame seed and seaweed. It is a basic seasoning that you can add to rice, soup, or anything to add flavor and nutrition. I obtained both things at the local Oriental market.

Both sound delicious, and very umami! But these recipes were using fresh or frozen kelp the way you would arugula or some other green.

[Front-Ranger]

Oh, okay, like those seaweed salads served in Japanese restaurants? I like them and their pleasantly rubbery mouthfeel. I don't order them often because they're kind of expensive.

[serious crayons]

Oh, okay, like those seaweed salads served in Japanese restaurants? I like them and their pleasantly rubbery mouthfeel. I don't order them often because they're kind of expensive.

The author of the article says this kelp was much better than those seaweed salads. Well, here are her words:

I’d eaten plenty of seaweed salads at Japanese and vegan restaurants, but this was not that. A variety called skinny kelp, it was lightly salty and profoundly savory, with a flavor like ice-cold oyster liquor, and a crisp, snappy texture somewhere between stewed collard greens and al dente fettuccine. The chef Brooks Headley, who adds it in slippery slivers to the barbecued carrots he serves at Superiority Burger in New York, described it in an email as “insanely delicious and texturally incredible.”

Yesterday for lunch I had a build-your-own rice bowl from One Two Three Sushi that had, among other toppings, a scoop of seaweed. They just called it seaweed, so I don't know what kind it was. It tasted very much like stewed collard greens, like the kelp in her description. I wouldn't call it "insanely delicious" but I would definitely get it in my next rice bowl.

And yes, the rice bowls are kind of expensive for a work lunch ($10) but they are one of my favorite lunches. And almost all of the lunches within a few minutes walk from my office are $10, or close to.

[Front-Ranger]

Food is getting more expensive, mostly due to the stupid trade war and the stupid war on immigrants. Some foods, like beef, are going to get even more expensive because Midwestern crops used for livestock food have been wiped out. These include corn and soy beans. I read one time that 40% of the world's calories come from either corn or soy, mainly in the form of corn syrup and soy oil.

SO, I'm supposed to be writing about how I'm relieving stress and instead I write about the opposite! I feel a growing sense of foreboding. People tell me to just not watch the news but it doesn't help; indeed, I feel more foreboding when I deliberately ignore the news. 

[serious crayons]

Another reason for expensive food is a shortage of truck drivers. 

As for the war on immigrants, one thing I can't understand is why left-leaning experts don't speak up more about how much our economy needs immigrants. The only time I've ever heard an expert discuss that on TV (admittedly, I don't watch much TV news, but I read a lot and haven't seen much there, either) is when an economist appeared ... on the Tucker Carlson show! Tucker Carlson kept arguing with him and telling this guy, a self-identified conservative who spends 40 hours a week studying immigration and the economy, that he was wrong about immigration and the economy. And that Tucker, the talking head, knows more about it. Finally Tucker said they'd just have to agree to disagree.

But elsewhere, we get the Pelosi-Schumer lame "Our borders do need strengthening, but Trump's is not the right way" bullshit. Our economy actually desperately needs immigrant labor and somebody should be getting that word out.

Sorry, that's just more stressfulness! The good news is, the coming widespread use of self-driving vehicles will help the trucking industry and some environmental things, too.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Some foods, like beef, are going to get even more expensive because Midwestern crops used for livestock food have been wiped out.

Well, less beef in the diet is supposed to be a Good Thing. My cardiologist just told me I should cut out beer altogether.

An economist appeared ... on the Tucker Carlson show! Tucker Carlson kept arguing with him and telling this guy, a self-identified conservative who spends 40 hours a week studying immigration and the economy, that he was wrong about immigration and the economy. And that Tucker, the talking head, knows more about it.

Nothing gets through to these people. They believe, therefore what they believe is correct, and they know better than anyone else. Experts are distrusted, but then there's always been a strain of that in the U.S.

[serious crayons]

Well, less beef in the diet is supposed to be a Good Thing. My cardiologist just told me I should cut out beer altogether.

Less beef is definitely good for the planet, both by reducing methane and lessening the need for cutting down rainforests for pasture land (if they're still doing that).

Nothing gets through to these people. They believe, therefore what they believe is correct, and they know better than anyone else. Experts are distrusted, but then there's always been a strain of that in the U.S.

Good point. In this case, I think because the expert was a self-described conservative, they (FOX and Tucker) expected him to agree with them. They only trust experts who confirm what they already believe.

In my newsroom, we have a big screen playing CNN next to a big screen with FOX. One day last week, I saw both of them using the exact same footage of Trump at the exact same time. Except CNN's caption was something like "Trump screws up visits to comfort shooting survivors" and the FOX one said "Trump talks foreign policy." 

[Jeff Wrangler]

Well, less beef in the diet is supposed to be a Good Thing. My cardiologist just told me I should cut out beer altogether.

Actually, my cardiologist did NOT tell me to cut out beer, which I don't drink anyway. He told me to cut out beef. 

[Jeff Wrangler]

Less beef is definitely good for the planet, both by reducing methane and lessening the need for cutting down rainforests for pasture land (if they're still doing that).

Didn't Reagan, or somebody, claim that cows cause Global Warming? Or was it trees? 

They only trust experts who confirm what they already believe.

Yes, people who tell them what they want to hear.

[serious crayons]

Actually, my cardiologist did NOT tell me to cut out beer, which I don't drink anyway. He told me to cut out beef. 

I noticed that and assumed it was a typo. You've never mentioned drinking beer, so I think of you as more of a scotch guy. And maybe the occasional port?

[Front-Ranger]

Back to stress relief! Yesterday I made a large pot of noodle soup with some fish that I had in the freezer. I augmented it with some vegetables and some garlic chives from my garden. I also put in a strip of kombu (dried kelp) which is traditionally used in Japanese cooking to make broth. Added lemon and some other seasonings. It was delicious yesterday and the leftovers were even more delicious as a cold noodle dish today!

[Front-Ranger]

The stress is killing me and I fear, literally. For the first time in almost 30 years, I'm having temporary financial problems, brought on by the bad renter I had earlier this year, my volunteerism that I've taken too far, and vacations to Arizona in March and to Wyoming and Utah in July. I'd forgotten how maddening worrying about money can be. Also, the criticism I'm receiving for my permaculture work is getting to me. I tell myself not to pay any attention to them but I don't listen to my own good advice.

Finally, taking care of my properties is a full-time job and because money is tight, I can't hire anyone to help right now. I've compounded the problem by looking around my place with a judgmental eye. I tell myself that I have way too much stuff and it results in me not being able to fully relax and enjoy what was once my haven. So, to sum it up, my stress is mostly all self-inflicted. I have seen the enemy and it is me.

[Front-Ranger]

I forgot to add the most stressful thing and the only stressor originating externally. My computer has started up increasingly slowly after I shut it down for more than a few minutes. When I got back from a conference on Labor Day, it refused to start up at all. I had to take it in and get the motherboard replaced. Since it's a Mac, it was quite expensive. I had to make do using an ipad tablet and my smart phone for a couple of days. I realized that my computer is so much a part of my life that it's like an organ of my body. . . probably I would have to say it's like a lobe of my brain!!

Compounding the problem of a computer that wouldn't turn on was that the next most important piece of technology in my life, my car, developed a glitch in the ignition system, so I was saddled with a car that wouldn't turn off! This modern life!  A First World challenge, for sure!

How to combat this stress? I'm turning to my secret weapons of mass creation: my grandchildren, and my garden!

[Jeff Wrangler]

Compounding the problem of a computer that wouldn't turn on was that the next most important piece of technology in my life, my car, developed a glitch in the ignition system, so I was saddled with a car that wouldn't turn off! This modern life!  A First World challenge, for sure!

Good grief!    How did you ever get the car engine to shut down? 

[CellarDweller]

How strange, a car that wouldn't turn off! 

Hope the repair wasn't too expensive!

[Front-Ranger]

I haven't had it repaired yet. The problem's not a crisis. If the car won't turn all the way off and the key won't release, I just start it up again a few times until it does turn off, finally.

[Front-Ranger]

Unexpected stress relief today: I wanted to make a curried tuna salad for lunch, but found no curry powder in my pantry. Fortunately, I remembered that you can make your own curry powder and had all the ingredients to do so. Grinding up the spices in my mortar and pestle, I savored the aroma and instantly felt less stressed.

Here are the ingredients:
    1 Tbsp ground coriander seeds
    1 ½ tsp cumin
    1 tsp turmeric
    ½ tsp ground black pepper
    ½ tsp chili powder
    ½ tsp ground ginger

I used whole coriander (from my garden!), cumin and pepper; the rest were ground. I also added some garlic.

[serious crayons]

Sounds delicious! I didn't realize curry (as in the substance in the spice aisle, not the name for an Indian dish) wasn't just its own thing, like parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.


 

[Front-Ranger]

To make things even more complicated, there is a curry plant that is sold at nurseries that smells like curry but has a bitter taste. Then, there is a curry leaf plant or tree (Murraya koenigii) that smells like curry and has an herbal taste. It is sometimes added to Indian dishes in addition to all the other curry ingredients.

[Sason]

Sounds delicious! I didn't realize curry (as in the substance in the spice aisle, not the name for an Indian dish) wasn't just its own thing, like parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

[Front-Ranger]

Another guaranteed stress reducer: Simon and Garfunkel songs! Thanks, Sonja!

[Sason]

You're welcome Lee! 

[Front-Ranger]

Time to update with more stress relief tips! What works for you these days, dear Brokie friends?

[CellarDweller]

deep breathing

[Front-Ranger]

Yes, thanks for that tip. I was doing that this morning, out early in the frosty air, bundling up slash. Very enervating! Fortunately, I can take deep breaths now that the wildfires are more under control. But the snow didn't entirely put them out yet. 

[CellarDweller]

If you like watching videos on YouTube,  they have a selection of videos that you can watch, soothing sounds and situations you can imagine yourself in.

This one, for example, is a 3 hour long video, a simulation where you can imagine yourself in a city restaurant during a rainy evening, while soft jazz music plays.

[serious crayons]

Hmm. Interesting idea, but I'm not sure this is the scenario I'd pick. Sitting in a restaurant overhearing slightly annoying fragments of other people's conversations, can't eat any of the restaurant's food, can't leave because it's raining too hard, so you spend three hours hanging around doing nothing.

A friend has a TV with a screen the size of a single bed sheet -- that would help put you into the scene even more. Within 10 years people will be doing it with virtual reality, the way they do now by looking through goggles.

[CellarDweller]

Hmm. Interesting idea, but I'm not sure this is the scenario I'd pick. Sitting in a restaurant overhearing slightly annoying fragments of other people's conversations, can't eat any of the restaurant's food, can't leave because it's raining too hard, so you spend three hours hanging around doing nothing.

A friend has a TV with a screen the size of a single bed sheet -- that would help put you into the scene even more. Within 10 years people will be doing it with virtual reality, the way they do now by looking through goggles.

There are lots of scenarios out there.

This one has a scary title, but it can be relaxing.  Haunted Halloween Mansion Fireplace with Thunder, Rain and Howling Wind

Nothing scary happens, I'm assuming they gave it 'haunted mansion" in the title as it's a darkened room in a house.  You hear the crackling fire, howling wind, rain, and occasional thunder.  This one is six hours long.

[serious crayons]

This one has a scary title, but it can be relaxing.  Haunted Halloween Mansion Fireplace with Thunder, Rain and Howling Wind

And if you needed to use the bathroom while you were there, it might look something like yours! 

I can see the value. I've used the "fire in a fireplace" channel at Christmas, even though I have an actual wood-burning fireplace that I hardly ever use.

[Front-Ranger]

In an effort to destress, I have started watching mindless Christmas shows. Yesterday was "A Castle for Christmas" with Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes. Unfortunately, it put me to sleep and then I woke up early and started stressing out again. 

[Front-Ranger]

... I've used the "fire in a fireplace" channel at Christmas, even though I have an actual wood-burning fireplace that I hardly ever use.

Not the channel, but I'm using the Jacquie Lawson London Advent Calendar online for the very same thing!

[serious crayons]

In an effort to destress, I have started watching mindless Christmas shows. Yesterday was "A Castle for Christmas" with Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes.

A neighbor highly recommends this movie, which focuses on gay men's romance. She says a friend of hers was involved in making it and that it's been very well received.

Also, this is hilarious:

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/guidelines-for-female-protagonists-in-hallmark-christmas-movies

[Front-Ranger]

Thannks, I'll check that one out.

It's not even 8 am here, but I've already listened to Hauser, the cellist, in concert, and it has worked wonders! Next I'm going to go sip some turkey broth!