Stress

[livingwith]

I am interested in hearing how people handle stress when it seems that everything comes at you at one time, or when it all seems to fall apart at the same time. I often feel like I could handle one or two situations, but not being completely buried. Is this common?...Read the full article

[Meister]

I think I understand, what happens when you receive a direct hit from life? When you feel that everything is falling down?

I have seen something similar. I will suggest, to find some help in your best friends, your close relatives, your family. the people who really like you and have interest in your wellness. They will help, they will listen, they will give advice.
If you need someone to listen to, if you need to cry, to release all the stress, to hear some advice, do it.

Try to don't be alone. Even if it is difficult, you have to face the problem and somehow accept it. Do not pretend you're strong or invulnerable, because you'll hurt yourself, specially if you feel that you hate your life or yourself (this feeling may appear but because of the problem you have had, it is not real).
Try to not stay alone at home, because strange thoughts will appear in your mind and you'll have them all the time. They will make difficult to read, to concentrate. Nightmares may appear, but they need to be controlled.
Visit a church of your choice. Search God, search nature, even if you are not a religious person.
go to some relaxed place to think better. If necessary, take some free days, but not alone.

And do not do silly things like alcohol, drugs, parties, because they won't make you feel better. You'll feel vulnerable, and it is possible you'll be tempted to promiscuity and sex without love. It will hurt you. You'll feel very bad after.

Take your time to heal, to reactivate your life, to have a new beginning. Life goes on.
Meister.

[Wonderwoman]

In reference to everything happening at once. I think it depends on what it is, as to how or when you deal with the stress of it. With me both my parents ended up with cancer and sick at the same time; only to have passed just a few months apart. In this situation I had to go day to day with making sure they were getting everything they needed, and not think of myself. Now that they have passed I am dealing with the stress of everything. I deal with it by remembering what life is all about. It's not what you have or want for once your gone, what was important to you as far as things more than likely will be given away sold or etc. It's all boils down to the same thing whats in your heart. My mother told me when she was first diagnosed, she wasn't afraid of dying for she knew she was going to a better place; she was worried about all of her kids not being close to God and not knowing if she would see them all again.
So as far as stress I deal with it one day at a time, and I remind myself you never have full control over anything and you have to learn when you can make a diffrence and when to just let things go because you can't. I think this is the biggest thing you can do to deal with stress, but it's the hardest thing you will ever learn.

[davide0867]

I perfectly understand you. I often have the problem that I take responsibility for too many things at a time and afterwards regret it because I'm buried by all the work.

First, there's no allround-receipe against stress. You can ask other people how they deal with it, but you have to find your own mix of how you handle it.
I personally try to take some time every day during which I relax. I listen to music, read a good book or watch TV, because if you stress yourself all day you'll have a burnout somewhen soon.
Something important everyone has to learn one day is to ask for help and to accept help if offered. EVERYBODY nowadays knows what stress is like and I believe that nobody has to be ashamed when asking for help. So if it's possible, for example if there's a team task that's being too much for me, I ask the others for help.
What is hardest for me is to give up on some tasks if it's being hopelessly too much for me. I hate resigning, but sometimes it's simply necessary.

I don't know whether this is of any help for you, because I'm afraid these are cheap answers. But I believe that whatever helps you find your balance also helps against stress. I am a religious person, so I often pray if I have problems dealing with my duties and I find it really helpful. ;)

David