Staying Sane

[daughter]

Last of the triology, the mind. If it's not the strain of getting kids out the door, restraint from choking the boss or telling off the idiot who cuts you off the road, we sometimes wonder how to keep it together.

What exercises, techniques or behaviors help you to keep your cool? I'm in no hurry to be hauled off to court, Jenny Jones, or the looney bin, so share with me how you remain sane.

Peace,

daughter

 

[The Nitelight]

Sanity is overrated.......

 

[LadyDarkFire]

It may not be the healthiest way, but in a real emergency situation, when I can afford to, I shut down. I don't answer my phone, my AIM has an away msg up, and I MAY read my email. I attend my classes, and take peace in the meditative quality of theater, or literature. It helps because it forces me to destres my life, and proves to people that they can walk on their own without someone there to fix things for them. Recently, I got stressed enough to do it, and after about 10 days, I was finally able to stay on AIM for more than an hour, and listen to a friend's problem.

I also spar with friends to get rid of stress. I get all my stress out in the form of healthy excersize, and I get exhausted, so my insomnia doesn't kick in.

 

[AStormyOne]

I don't deal with stress well at all. Right now it makes me irratable. I become so busy trying to get everything done on time, that NOTHING is getting accomplished. When I start becoming overstressed, and feel myself about to explode, I like to go take a bath.... Doors locked, with candles lit, soft music playing, and a book to keep me company. There are times I have stayed in there well over 3 hours.

Storm

 

[espressolover]

Long walks to clear my head
Candles and soft music...treating myself to a good dinner.

Also, I do yoga and meditate...that's what works for me.
If you're not into meditation, then the yoga does just great on it's own. It relaxes the body and calms the spirit.

 

[monster666]

I tend to bury myself in work. But not in normal work mode. My boss recognizes than I am in some kinda funky zone, and lets me be, for the most part. I do my most creative work during those times, and a lot of it. Writing computer programs may not seem creative to most, but there it is. The boss recognizes this and she deflects a lot of stuff from my inbox so I can stay in that mode 'till I am ready to come out. She's a peach - she never asks what's up during those times - she just goes with the flow.

Last of the triology, the mind. If it's not the strain of getting kids out the door, restraint from choking the boss or telling off the idiot who cuts you off the road, we sometimes wonder how to keep it together.

What exercises, techniques or behaviors help you to keep your cool? I'm in no hurry to be hauled off to court, Jenny Jones, or the looney bin, so share with me how you remain sane.

Peace,

daughter

 

[SINthysist]

I have a great life with little stress

But forms practice or heavy bag work seems to quickly release pent-up tensions.



















Followed by weed, wine, rays, and cheese !

 

[CeceliaSkye]

Daughter, have I told you how much I appreciate your threads.... well I do, very much, thankyou.
How do I stay sane? well... there are brief moments when I probably dont. Truly though, it is through reaching out and trusting a few people in my life that really helps keep me sane. They remind me of who I am, and things don't seem as scary or ugly. I really belieive that humankind is at it's best during times of strife and stress. Why is that? Because that is when we reach out, we show we care, we drop our pride and ask for help...

 

[Massive Grooves]

I'm just going to follow daughter's threads around this morning.

When I wasn't happy with myself physically, I was very stressed at the same time. I did a major overhaul of myself and I have felt great ever since.

I am very selective about my battles. I am more willing to take time for myself, read, exercise, just talk and read to my girls, or whatever I need. I think the mind and body go together. I still encounter stress, but I am a lot more calm now, I cope better and I am able to relax.

 

[ksmybuttons]

I have boundaries.
I play music.
I have a hot tub and I use it.
I walk.

I whistle.
I make alone time.
I meditate - usually in tiny little amounts, while I am at work and one more person needs something from me. Mind shut down, deep breathing.

I have a desk job so I also have a little exercise routine I do throughout the day. Stretches. Some I can do while I am working and others I just take the time to get up and move.

I have just added more water to my day, too. I am up to 10 8 oz glasses. That gives me a break just getting up and going to the facilities.

 

[weathered2]

I run my ass off in an attempt to get too tired to care. Occasionally, when I'm not getting the running in or it's not enough I use liberal doses of melatonin to force some decent sleep. Somehow, the combination has kept me from considering loaded weapons.

 

[Mae13]

I'd have to say I used to handle stress much better than I do now. I used to be one who would distract myself with others when I was down/stressed; I'd run around with friends, go to crowded places, people watch...that sort of thing.

Now, that would be the exact opposite of what I do. Like LadyDarkFire, I tend to shut down now. I am living in such a constant state of stress, it's almost like I've become hypersensitive to any kind of stimulation, so I seek relaxation in solace. I also will unplug my phone for days, stay away from the computer, I often will go hiking outdoors alone and let the peace of nature embrace me. I meditate and pray. I cry. I attempt to sleep, but unfortunately horrid dreams usually follow stress peaks, so insomnia usually comes along with it (which I know doesn't help, heh). Sometimes I pen out all my anger, frustration, anguish and hate onto paper...writing down all the things I wish I could say at times, or spiteful things about myself or others; whatever happens to be in the forefront. Then I fold the paper, bind it with string, and ask for some Divine support in staying strong, balanced, and capable of dealing with the going-ons in my life. Then I give it to the fire, and try to release the grip those emotions have over me at the time. Usually it helps

I have also started trying to funnel my frustration/sadness/anger/rage into exercise. It can get me at least another mile or two on a bad day I am hoping to start a local yoga class soon, I think it will be most helpful!

Ah well, my $0.02 for the day

Be Well,
Mae

 

[Cheyenne]

For ongoing sanity, I try to always use logic. As some here are so fond of telling me- I use the left side of my brain.

If people attack me, I try not to return the comments in the same tone as I received. I will try to answer logically, without strong emotion. This is one that I'm not always successful at, but I try.

If I get so stressed because I am overloaded, I'll try to change priorities and drop what I can't handle. Or postpone it and tell someone it will be done, but done late.

For winter cabin fever, I plan a spring vacation. The planning is the relaxing part for me- it gives me a chance to enjoy the anticipation of the trip. This winter, there is not much to get away from though. It is supposed to be 60 in my part of the country when more normal temps would be in the teens or twenties!

 

[photographer]

I guess I'm lucky living where I live.

When stress and strain take their toll, I drive far away from the madding crowd to the remotest place I know, and sit there, on a hilltop, overlooking a river, in the company of Africa's wild animals, and watch the sun set.

Once you have experienced something so awesomely tranquil and beautiful, the stress, the strain and the tension just fade away.

It makes me feel like a human being again.

 

[riff]

Sanity is overrated.......

Nitelight! I have always liked your attitude and demeanor- you seem like a good sort to me, but I WHOLLY DISAGREE.

Sanity is happening! Sanity is where it is AT! The trouble is that we live in an INSANE world where all of us, children of light, are forced by physical necessity to join the rat race and worship the bitch-goddess of getting on. My soul is not made for that.

My soul is a finger of god. We are all light seek increase. This is just a way of saying that the only truth of our existance (truth being sanity) is our will to create, to increase. Underneath it all is love- the only infinite creative force.

When I look at the things in my life... when I consider where so much of my energy goes- to work, to even the tedium.... I see insanity.

Modern life has a way of mutating us, I think.

What we casually refer to as sanity is really insanity.

So how do I keep my sanity? I get quiet. I center myself, so to speak. It's like tapping into something very powerful... and I try to allow that to enter into my "insane" world. It's beautiful- things that are the banal furniture of a just another 38 year old white guy become epiphanies.

It's all an epiphany. That is truth. That is sanity.

NOTE: I am not like this all the time. Most of the time I am caught in the bondage of the bitch-goddess. But every now and then.... I see the truth. And it's beautiful.


Go ahead- tell me I am insane!

Well, it's Sunday. I'll bet the Right Reverun Doctah Lijah Love would have a thing or two to say about this.

 

[riff]

Last of the triology, the mind. If it's not the strain of getting kids out the door, restraint from choking the boss or telling off the idiot who cuts you off the road, we sometimes wonder how to keep it together.

What exercises, techniques or behaviors help you to keep your cool? I'm in no hurry to be hauled off to court, Jenny Jones, or the looney bin, so share with me how you remain sane.

Peace,

daughter

You are cool in my book. I appreciate your thoughtful posts.

 

[Black_Bird]

Beastly Uncle Al's good ol' Star Ruby.

Honestly - nothing reduces stress for me like a ritual banishing. When I was seeing a shrink for depression, I was enacting a ritual at least twice a day... The Star Ruby just happens to be my favorite one.

 

[lovetoread]

Personally I pretend that it will go away and do nothing. I guess thats not the healthiest way to handle things,but its mine.

 

[Elizabeth]

I try to be alone as much as I can. Listen to good music, read, take long drives or just go walk help too.

 

[ksmybuttons]

Each time I have a stressful experience I handle it better. If I have handled it well the first time, great. If not, I try another approach.

I really don't get too many stresses that are unknown to me anymore. Been there, done that. It is just another life encounter.

I have found, and I try to stick with it, that you can deal with something when it happens or, if you try to put it off to deal with it later, you will pay interest. It works for just about everything. You pack it away and it will pop out in so many unpleasant little reminders....no sleep, depression, guilt - whatever your personal denial modality.

I like to analyze ( pronounce that anal-ize ) which I like better: the denial of the moment or the hassle of dealing with it later. Dealing with it usually wins.

 

[EvilBrat74]

The only thing i'm able to do anymore to reduce stress is to break out my chainsaw.
I clean it,file it,and cut the hell outta firewood.
It makes me feel good and i get somethin productive done.

As for splittin wood...
I recently chopped my knee,so i get mad everytime i chop wood now.
LOL
Before i had kid's,i used to smoke me a big doobie to relax.
That alway's worked.
I've been drug free for over 2 year's now tho.
Mabe after they've grown up and moved out,i'll save a smoke.
Might even help my Glocoma?<--------Probably misspelled.
LOL

 

[MorgaineLaFay]

Last of the triology, the mind. If it's not the strain of getting kids out the door, restraint from choking the boss or telling off the idiot who cuts you off the road, we sometimes wonder how to keep it together.

What exercises, techniques or behaviors help you to keep your cool? I'm in no hurry to be hauled off to court, Jenny Jones, or the looney bin, so share with me how you remain sane.

Peace,

daughter

It's snowing. I'm in a funk, I can't get out. So I am going to finish my coffee, put on my boots, and mash snow. Jump up and down, kick it, mash it. My own little tantrum by the water.

 

[CeceliaSkye]

Beastly Uncle Al's good ol' Star Ruby.

Honestly - nothing reduces stress for me like a ritual banishing. When I was seeing a shrink for depression, I was enacting a ritual at least twice a day... The Star Ruby just happens to be my favorite one.

Blackbird, what is the star ruby exactly?

 

[Black_Bird]

Blackbird, what is the star ruby exactly?

The Star Ruby

 

[Dhalgren]

I feel that it must be said..
Thelema exercises such as the Star Ruby comes with a deep understanding of ritual magick…a way of thought.

It’s not simple Yoga..
It’s more like learning the Kabbalah.

In olden times, a man didn’t pick up the book until he was 30..
(and that’s like really super old)

Back to the thread…
Your own level of peace comes from within yourself..
We all feel this differently.
We all begin to understand that we are placed here to feel the barriers..
The boundaries.

Otherwise, why do this trip?