How do you control your stress???

When I am stressed - I smoke and eat... when I am stressed and can't smoke - I eat and eat. So now that I'm not smoking and trying not to eat how do I control my stress?

My partner called me this morning at work to tell me that her company decided to downsize and she was "downsized" today.... My surgery is scheduled for next Friday (and paid for f.y.i.) So now what do I do? Because with a new job, probably means moving in a few months.... AAAHHH!!! Is this too much stress to handle right after lap band? Or maybe I'm just letting myself freak out? I wish I could go home to my mom and she would make me chocolate pudding... which I'm sure has contributed to my stress eating habits... lol.

Thanks for letting me vent, I hope this wasn't inappropriate. I just feel.. terrified about the surgery, terrified about the tough upcoming months..

Since everyone is different, you may want to consider therapy for this. Sounds like money may be an issue, so maybe your insurance would help?

The way I handle stress is to cry a lot. I'll watch sad show and just cry, cry, cry. Once I'm done, I realize how much better off I have it than the characters in the movie I just watched.

Silly? Yeah, I know. But, my instinct is to hide under the covers, call in sick to work and just take a downward spiral in my life. Been there - done that. But with a child to look after, dogs to walk and feed, I don't have time to do that. The movie really helps my mind take a break from all the reality of what's going on. The really sappy, chick flicks, too.

I would really recommend speaking with your doctor (surgeon, family or therapist) before going through with it. If you don't feel that you can handle the stress, then this surgery - at this time - may not be right for you. It sounds like you're already worried about it, and you should talk to someone about it.

I'm sorry about your partner's job. Ugh.

Some stress-relievers:

Exercise.

Stretching.

Mindful breathing / meditation

I used to go for a drive when I got stressed, but gas prices are so high these days!

Hot herbal tea is soothing.

Cleaning, believe it or not. Scrubbing something good and hard. Sometimes upbeat music helps, sometimes not.

Writing down my feelings.

Talking it out with someone.

Doing something nice for someone else, to get my mind off my own stress.

Reading something funny (like crying, laughing also helps release endorphins to make you feel better). I like Jay Leno's Headlines since I rarely get to watch the show. Or read a little out of one of my Dave Barry books.

Sometimes, soaking in the tub or taking a hot, hot shower. There's something about Water.

I run.

I am swamped, absolutely swamped with uni work at the moment, assignment, after assignment after assignment due, and the kids have just had 2 weeks school holidays. There's not enough hours in the day and the MESS in my house, argh. And today, rather than finish another assignment, I have the acupuncturist, have to drive to uni to hand an assignment in, have lesson plans to do and a job interview this afternoon, and and and and ....

So I run. It gives me some headspace, I plan, I calm down, I feel ready to sit down and chip away at the pile when I get home. Doug cant believe i *waste* an hour running when I have so much to do but it energises me, makes me more efficient and calmer.

I walk. 1.) it gets me away from everyone, 2.) I can think better when I'm walking.

Thank you everyone!