I have always known that too much stress is not a good thing, but I think it was recently that I realised more fully about the detrimental effects of stress. Apparently, excessive stress isn’t good for students with dyslexia because it impairs their ability to remember stuff. So that’s why you avoid calling upon them to read aloud in class. That’s because they will feel so self-conscious and stressed about this “public shaming” that they clam up and shut down. Zero things remembered.
In addition, too much stress may even lead to depression if we bottle up our anguish and fail to find an outlet for them. We find that our negative thoughts consume our entire being - so much so that we lack the energy to do anything else besides lying on the bed. These negative effects are amplified if we are indeed isolated from a supportive tribe which will support us to relieve our stress.
With these negative effects in mind, I’m just wondering about the things Stackers may be doing to alleviate their stresses. It is said that in order to maintain a high EQ, we should aim to clear our forms of stress every day. So what is your greatest source(s) of stress and how do you keep the Stress Monster at bay?
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Great post. I've noticed that a bit of exercise outside tends to reduce my stress levels quite a lot. A run, or even better if I can swing it, a bike ride. I'm not sure if it's the change of environment, the endorphins, or the vitamin D. Maybe they all work together.
For a while I was practicing daily meditation. The effects are more subtly noticed, but upon reflection, I think it also helped with stress (among other benefits.)
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exercise is my go-to if something is really plaguing my mind. especially the bike; a simple repetitive motion like that allows the mind to work things out all on it's own, kind of like a meditative auto-pilot.
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Came here to say bike ride.
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42 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr 31 Jan
+1 for exercise
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You know what? As a busy parent, I hardly exercise these days and would never have thought of it as a stress reliever
This means that I have to make a concerted effort to make my son become active so that he will use it to curb his stress in future. Thanks mate
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I do yoga and it works best for me. If you are stressed I have a suggestion that before going to bed do it for 10 minutes and you won't require sleeping pills.
BTW very good Article
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Hi mate.
I actually used to do yoga with my wife once weekly at our local community centre. Yes, yoga is great for tuning in into our bodies and feeling our rhythm. I also tried beer yoga once with my wife. That was fun!
Hope to get back to yoga when our kids grow older. Maybe it can be a family pursuit.
Thanks for your compliment
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129 sats \ 1 reply \ @joda 31 Jan
Walking, weightlifting, for sure
Also just going to a natural area, even a yard, to look at trees and clouds. You get to feel the scale of life and the insignificance of your problems.
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Thanks for sharing. Your response reminds me of the Japanese term for nature therapy: shinrin yoku (forest bathing). Being immersed in nature does work wonders for our souls
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Things I have done at various points, which made a difference for me:
  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Journaling
  • More Sleep
  • Get in Nature
  • Camping
The top of the list is more "things you need to do regularly to see a benefit".
Bottom of the list is more "things you can do once or twice to get a benefit"
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Hope you still find pockets of time to do some of the things on this list
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Was making mental note of it today. The thing that's held me together the most is sticking to my 5:30AM workouts. Gets my day started and forces me to shut it down and go to bed on time.
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I wake up at 5.30am too. But to do housework 🤪
Hang in there
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128 sats \ 1 reply \ @Roll 15 Feb
I do have several methods:
-i practise yoga/meditation everyday, it helps me to live happier...
-Music or a comedy: helps me to change my mood when i feel sad...
-a walk helps also to flip the mood. But in my case, i need to walk at least 1h30
-And what it says that Nature permits to absorb negative energy and Sun permits to fill of positive energy
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Awesome, thanks for sharing
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108 sats \ 1 reply \ @Entrep 31 Jan
Sex is the best anti stress routine
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Short n succinct. This will stick in my head for some time to come haha
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108 sats \ 4 replies \ @KLT 31 Jan
Personally I make an effort to take a walk. I’ll usually walk for about an hour or two, sometimes listening to a podcast, sometimes being alone with my thoughts. I find that it’s really important to just remove yourself from any inputs (podcasts, music, etc) and just find time for yourself to just be present and be bored. Let your mind wander.
I’ll also set a timer for either 30 seconds - 2 minutes and meditate.
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I agree. This is why these days I make a conscious effort to put my phone aside and bury myself in a book
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49 sats \ 2 replies \ @KLT 5 Feb
Amen to that. I keep my phone out the bedroom and when it’s time for bed, I’ll read on my kindle for a few minutes and then out light a light. Wake up and read on the kindle before starting my day as well.
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What book are you reading now?
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I’m reading the hidden cost of money by Seb Bunny. It’s pretty solid, although a lot of the information I feel like has already been covered in other books I’ve read. Always interesting to see how different people present information.
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I have had a lot of experience in dealing with depression and can attest that stress (regardless of the source) is the single worst thing for it. I also have a younger brother that experienced the exact shutdown response in school when he was younger, and he was later diagnosed as dyslexic.
As far as answering your final question, exercise and getting outside is more effective than anything else from personal experience. For those out there who struggle with physical limitations due to health issues (also have experience), a good coping mechanism can be to set aside time purposefully each day to reduce your sensory inputs while practicing deep breathing or stretching. One final note is that diet plays a significant role in the body's ability to process stress. There are many testimonials from people that a ketogenic or carnivore diet (at least followed as closely as one reasonably can given their circumstances) does help depression/panic due to the stabilization of insulin in the body thanks to not consuming as much sugar. Of course, this is actively suppressed by large media outlets and public health (they have their reasons), but that's a separate discussion entirely.
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Thanks for sharing your experiences. Hope you are out of the woods.
I like the part about reducing sensory inputs. I have been finding myself putting aside my phone and just burying myself in a book. I think total concentration in one thing helps me recalibrate my state of mind
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Lay out in the sun. Very relaxing.
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I read recently that 20 mins of exposure to the Sun helps brings about better sleep
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Qi Gong! I have just started getting into it and it is way chiller than yoga or other expercise, yet very effectively at calming the nervous system.
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Sleep.
Lift heavyweights
Sprints
Long runs
Time with friends
Time with loved ones
#StackSATsGetFit #BetterMoneyBetterBodies 🍊💊⚡
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Going to the beach is my favorite place to relax. Sun and salt water has a cleaning effect
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Mine is watching Chinese donghue animation, try Battle through the Heavens and you will thank me
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It use to be drinking alcohol but since I'm on a journey to a 9 month cleanse this year I will say It's going out for walks
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