Just curious, what do you guys do to slow down, relax and de-stress? I am going through alot of negativity and stress lately and I just feel like my head is going to explode (or my heart) and I am looking for ways to mitigate that. I’m usually stress-free and easy going, but little things just keep getting to me lately and it seems like it’s all at once. Any tips would be appreciated!
no easy answer
I think about what folks in WWII went through
and then to find my now father in law was one of the farm kids of England sent away and think WOW I cant imagine that
also I lived in Honduras for a year and it really opened my eyes to my worries are so trivial
spent a month back packing Guatemala and hanging in a tiny village talking to a farmer there about his life and his kids and how rough things were for him
I have issues like everyone but try to think about it in relation to things that have happened
as far as actual things gaming to me is nice since I loose my mind in a sense for a while or just watch some movie I have wanted to see and put stuff away from my mind
my biggest thing I dont do enough but really love is camping and getting away and just chilling in nature
hope your stress gets better 
Take a hike! No really. Get out there. Take a few days vaca. Leave your phone at home and go camping. Find somewhere cool and by water. Dont do activities that might elevate your stress or test your patience (like fishing) unless, you like fishing.
Not gonna lie. I was on the verge of suicide recently and only just pulled myself back from the edge. Get away from it all! Leave the phone at home, strap on a backpack and go somewhere stupid remote for a bit. Best thing I have ever done.
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Sorry to hear that, if you ever get depressed come on out to St. Paul and we’ll go for a walk at Battle Creek Park I like to go out and see how many deer I can kick up. Seriously though, you’ve got options. PM me if you need to talk.
I also get out, hell, much off the time I go to the range by my self, back to the basics shooting, its very relaxing.
Pm sent
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I like to escape by reading a good book.
Can you identify stressors?
This sounds too simple but a lot of folks find if they define what pisses them off, then give it a name, like ‘oh, mr shitforbrains there you are’ and think of an effective way to deal with it, or simply remind themselves not to get po’ed, using the name to yourself kind of kicks in a conditioned response.
Google ‘autogenic relaxation’ - stuff works. I used to teach a block on stress management, which was a hoot, I had an autogenic relaxation tape that I played in class as a demo, to this day if I sit down, close my eyes, rest my hands and arms on my thigh and repeat to myself ‘my hands are heavy and warm, my hands are heavy and warm’ I can feel the blood flowing to my hands.
Talk to someone, not someone who is experiencing the same stress, but someone you trust, someone who won’t be judgmental, and will let you talk it through without trying to one-up you. Often the best person for this is a church friend, or pastor, or a peer counselor. Obviously it has to be someone who won’t go telling everyone ‘ol’ Jim is just about ready to suck start a shotgun.’
Avoid getting into the circular drama at work where folks just talk about the same things that piss them off over and over. That kind of circular talking about the same crap is just like a tropic storm, the more it cyclones, the more moisture it picks up and the stronger it becomes. Don’t…do…that.
For years I was fairly isolated at work, I did my job, interacted with other instructors to accomplish team missions, went off for a run during the noon hour, and lifted a moderate Nautilus workout. I was always busy, set goals and accomplished them, true self-actualization. I felt great, invigorated, ready for work everyday. Then, because of new hires, my workload actually decreased. The new hires have never had the workload that myself and about 3 other long term employees were used to and they complain a lot, even with the easier (for the old timers) work load… So now we all have plenty of time to discuss how screwed up work is and also keep track to make sure nobody is working less than us. It’s nearly ruined the organization, I know that all that is counterproductive, but it is hard not to bitch during down time, especially when they give you sooo much to bitch about. Try to distance yourself from this kind of stuff.
Another thing that many recommend is doing something for someone less fortunate than you.
Above all, take care of yourself, a lot of people care about you, even guys like me that don’t know you.
Find your quiet place, your space where you’re content. Could be working in the garage. Could be out hiking or camping. Reading. Take a motorcycle or bicycle ride. Go to the beach for the day and just listen to the ocean. Whatever it is where you can be alone and decompress without the hassle of traffic or annoyances, or needing to be considerate of others or catching up on errands that are piling up. You need some real free time to play hookie, steal away time for yourself. It is ok to be selfish for a little bit to take care of yourself and fall off the earth. Normally I’d suggest workouts. For some reason, they aren’t working for me anymore like they use to so I’ve had to look for other outlets. But if that works for you, do it.
You’re limited by the effort you put into it. Lots of options out there with the weather finally coming around.
Hang in there man.
My home phone has a screening option, you can select which numbers can actually ring through. That was a big one.
I actively make sure I stop working at some point during the day, grab lunch and take the time to enjoy it.
I’ve also gotten to the point where I have a daily list. Only the important things that must be done tomorrow go on the list. And if it’s not on the list, I try not to give it undue importance.
Shooting, gaming, getting out all work well.
For the last few months I’ve been hitting the gym very hard. Hired trainer who is just ruthless with me.
I had a health scare from stress and borderline obesity. You need to manage it. That chit will kill you.
I’ve lost alot of weight. I’m now almost in the athletic category in terms of body fat. Best thing I’ve ever done for myself in my life. Wearing clothes that I haven’t worn in long time. Starting to bulk up and get strong.
Most aspects my life has been pretty well effed for a while now. Most of my problems haven’t really gotten better. Some have gotten worse. But my ability to manage stress and not let things bother me is unmatched to my prior self.
Something about doing a killer cardio session, or just going mad dog on the weights is an almost zen like experience.
I say hit the gym till you hurt. It’ll change your life. But what ever it is that you use, the goal is the same. You need to disconnect. Completely. Anything that requires a focus can accomplish this.
You just need to find what it is that does that for you.
There is no one cure all but eating healthy, physical activity, and adequate sleep do wonders.
Hobbies, positive people, a dog, heavy punching bag , a change in scenery, etc.
Abort ties with toxic people whether they be family or friends. If its work then try to find and exit ramp and or consult a good labor attorney.
Not easy answer as what I find relaxing/helps de stress might not be what helps you. Taking walks, especially in a natural setting like wooded areas, really helps me get out of my own head. Working out helps. Reading books that I have always found helpful, books that help keep things in perspective helps. Making a list of things going right, and things going wrong, and the long term outcome of each helps. Some how seeing them on paper seems reduce how really important they are. It can also depend on the source of the stress. Those are just general approaches, where as a specific stress source may have a specific “cure” to help counter it, so specifics may help with more directed suggestions.
We are lucky enough to live in a beautiful part of the country. Now that the weather has gotten better I would say to go hit up one of our many hiking trails, go outside and get away from other people. I have recently started to unplug from a lot of outside influence on my days off. I ignore my phone unless it is one of about 5 people. Hell go have a Hudson’s burger or two. Those do wonders for me!
I should add. I have, at the pushing of my girlfriend, started reading for fun again. That with some 1940s music playing in the background have helped me a ton.
My wife and I have been dealing with some specific “stress-inducing” people / circumstances lately. I just said “enough is enough” and put my foot down: No more drama BS, no more wasting time, money, emotional energy on things not worth it. Find something worthwhile to pour your time into and you’ll be good to go. Like Moose-knuckle said, if it’s people that are causing it, cut them out of your life. Toxic people cannot be reasoned or dealt with.
For me the worthwhile things have been my wife and kids, working out, community service projects, and planning on building my own private gun range! 
I do several things to de-stress.
First is physical activities. I lift weights, play tennis and am a serious mt. biker. Those things always help melt away the stress. Especially if I take my daughter with me while biking or play tennis with her. Listening to her stories and laughing about things helps take my mind off problems for a while.
I also enjoy working on my yard and washing and working on my truck or cars. Those tings, done with the stereo cranked up, also help take my mind off problems.
I have NEVER found sitting around watching tv or sitting around doing anything to be stress-reducing. I have to be outside and working with my hands or getting sweaty or dirty.
I really truly appreciate all of these fantastic responses. With the tips of some of you, I have decided that I am going to take up hiking now that the weather is getting better up here, and just try to enjoy things more. A little bit of back story, I am in the process of purchasing my first house and it really seems like everything that can go wrong has went wrong. We are supposed to be closing on the 21st, and all of the mortgage stuff is really all over the place. I just had to take a step back and get my head right. Yesterday was also the anniversary of one of my best friends passing suddenly, and I am just not a great person at dealing with grief.
I do really need to focus on weeding out negativity, and people and situations that don’t add anything to my life. I am removing myself from all social media, except for M4C, because it’s all really unnecessary and doesn’t add value to my life. I am also going to get back into lifting and running. I lifted pretty heavy when I got home last night and it really helped out. Thanks again guys, I will be using tons of suggestions from you.
We really do live in an amazing area. I am going to run Tubbs hill on Friday before I leave for Portland for the Garth Brooks concert. It will be nice to get out of town for a few days and see some family. I read in my spare time as well, it is nice to just sit in quiet and lose yourself in a good book sometimes.
I was 26 when I purchased the home I’m in now and a month later my wife found out she was pregnant. I saved up more than 30k by the time I left the Marine Corps and watched as that 30k became less than $500 in no time. My wifes uncle found out about our predicament and floated us a hefty loan to get us through, it took sometime but we managed to pay it back. Its a funny thing that there are so many people willing to help others, but you first have to ask for help. I think this can be a hard thing in this culture especially, but everyone has been there and everyone can relate. Good on you for putting it out there that you are stressed and need relief, this is a community and M4C has really tried to help their own.
And like I said the responses have been fantastic from everyone here. I am 27 now, and the whole buying process is nuts so far. It’ll all be great when it’s over though.