Ways to reduce stress and relax

[California Sunshine]

I compiled some info from many different online resources for ways to reduce stress and relax the body and mind.With that said here are a few tips.......



Get enough sleep. The more rested you are, the better you will be able to handle stress in your life. Most people need about eight hours of sleep every night to function normally. Some need less than that, others need more. Note how long you sleep when you don't set an alarm clock. If, for example, you go to sleep at 11 p.m. and wake up naturally and feeling well rested at 8 a.m., you probably need at least nine hours every night.

Balance your diet. Make sure your diet includes all the nutrients your body needs to keep you going strong. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limit the amount of sugary and fatty foods and soft drinks you consume. Also cut back on caffeine and alcohol if you tend to overindulge in those things.

Exercise. Physical activity is a great stress reliever. Do something that you enjoy, so that it doesn't seem like a chore. It's also good for motivation to include a friend. That could mean playing a sport like tennis, or having a partner to exercise with at the gym or walk or jog with.

Reach out. When you're stressed, sometimes the last thing you want to do is socialize. But being with people and having fun can help you forget your troubles for a while: It's not healthy to dwell on them every minute. It's also good to talk about your problems with someone who cares about you and whom you can trust -- a friend, a family member, a spouse, or even a therapist. and who could forget our very own PTO

Relax. In addition to all the above, a few minutes of down time does a lot of good. You've probably heard about relaxation techniques like yoga or electronic biofeedback, but you don't have to do those things if listening to music, knitting, or just staring out the window is your idea of a relaxing break.


How to relax your body :

The systematic muscle relaxation procedure goes as follows.

While sitting quietly and comfortably, slowly inhale and exhale and close your eyes as you do so.
Bend your right hand back at the wrist and briefly hold the tension. Now relax.

Now do the same thing with the left hand. Hold the tension and now relax.

This time tighten both hands into fists and hold the tension. Feel it spread up the arms towards the elbows. Now relax.

Now bend both arms at the elbows and raise your hands up towards your shoulders. Tighten up the muscles in the biceps. Hold it. Now relax.

These three exercises have used the major muscles in the arms and started them relaxing. If you don’t move them around, they will continue to relax becoming more and more relaxed, and you can forget about them

Next, turn your attention to your face. For your forehead raise your eyebrows up a far as you can and hold the tension. Now relax.

For your eyes, squeeze the eyelids tightly together. Hold the tension. Now relax.

For your jaw you just bite down and clamp your teeth together. Feel the tension along the jaw. Now relax. These three exercises have started the face relaxing.

For your neck just bend your head forward as if trying to touch your chin to your chest. Feel the tension along the back of the neck and now relax.

For your shoulders just raise them up as high as you can and notice the tension. Now let them drop all at once and relax.

For your chest you do two things at once. Take a deep breath and hold it while at the same time trying to touch your shoulder blades together by pulling your arms back. Hold it. Now relax.

For your stomach you just pull in as if trying to touch your backbone with stomach. Now relax.

For your back you arch out and away from the chair, and you can feel tension along the spine. Now relax.

With your feet flat on the floor, press down and feel the tension spread up the back of the legs. Now relax.

For the right thigh raise your leg up on front of you and feel the tension build. Now relax.

Now do the same thing with the left leg and relax.

Finally, for your feet bend your toes up as if pointing towards the ceiling and feel the tension around the feet and ankles. Once again, relax


Stress Walk
The next time you have built up a lot of physical tension or are about to enter a difficult situation, take a walk. Walk around your desk at work, up and down stairs, down a hallway, around the block, or back and forth in your living room. A walk — even a short one — can give you a much needed "time out," releasing muscle tension and allowing more oxygen to enter your brain and body. It can be amazingly effective.

"Time-Out" Relaxation
When you are caught up in a difficult situation and need to calm yourself down, try this: First, push yourself away from your desk, or move away from whatever is causing you to be upset. Then, close your eyes, take a deep breath, exhale, and move back again. This brief "time out" can help release your physical and mental tension, providing a diversion that can help you return to the problem with a better mind set.

Other Quick Ways to Relax
Praying, listening to soothing music, or taking a few moments to be alone have also been found to help many people relax. Stretching, closing your eyes and counting to 10, or simply finding something to laugh about may also prove beneficial.
The key is to find the relaxation exercises that you find most effective and then practice them regularly. The end result will be a happier, healthier you!


Ways to relax your mind





Imagery Introduction:
Imagery is a potent method of stress reduction, especially when combined with physical relaxation methods such as deep breathing.

You will be aware of how particular environments can be very relaxing, while others can be intensely stressful. The principle behind the use of imagery in stress reduction is that you can use your imagination to recreate, and enjoy, a situation that is very relaxing. The more intensely you imagine the situation, the more relaxing the experience will be.


Imagery in Relaxation
One common use of imagery in relaxation is to imagine a scene, place or event that you remember as safe, peaceful, restful, beautiful and happy. You can bring all your senses into the image with, for example, sounds of running water and birds, the smell of cut grass, the taste of cool white wine, the warmth of the sun, etc. Use the imagined place as a retreat from stress and pressure.

Scenes can involve complex images such as lying on a beach in a deserted cove. You may “see” cliffs, sea and sand around you, “hear” the waves crashing against rocks, “smell” the salt in the air, and “feel” the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze on your body. Other images might include looking at a mountain view, swimming in a tropical pool, or whatever you want. You will be able to come up with the most effective images for yourself.

Other uses of imagery in relaxation involve creating mental pictures of stress flowing out of your body, or of stress, distractions and everyday concerns being folded away and locked into a padlocked chest.


Imagery in Preparation and Rehearsal
You can also use imagery in rehearsal before a big event, allowing you to run through the event in your mind.

Aside from allowing you to rehearse mentally, imagery also allows you to practice in advance for anything unusual that might occur, so that you are prepared and already practiced in handling it. This is a technique used very commonly by top sports people, who learn good performance habits by repeatedly rehearsing performances in their imagination. When the unusual eventualities they have rehearsed using imagery occur, they have good, pre-prepared, habitual responses to them.

Imagery also allows you to pre-experience achievement of your goals, helping to give you the self-confidence you need to do something well. This is another technique used by successful athletes

[Cottontail]

Thanks Hun!!!


The tension is my neck and back has been horrific lately...between sitting at the computer all day at work, and the everyday stress...I have knots the size of golf balls!!!

I've been going to Yoga class again, three mornings a week. This is also helping!

[chinikfb]

Peace....Nice thread!!! I would add to smile more; do something nice for yourself and for someone else; take bubble baths;pray and read devotionals; be around folk who make you happy; talk to someone you have not spoken to in awhile. Need to keep this thread going. Good idea. Blessings....

[TNC]

I have suffered tension headaches and anxiety for years. I hate taking medication so I have learned other ways to manage most of it. I use meds as a last resort. One of the things that works well for me is heat applied to my neck. It doesnt matter if its a tension headache or an anxiety attack most of the time the relaxation of the muscles will work. I have tried a variety of heat packs and the problem with most of them is you have to somehow hold them on your neck making it almost impossable to do anything else.

I have found the perfect heat pack that allowes you to surf PTO and leaves both hands free, do housework, drive a car or anything else that you would do. The pack stays in place on its own.

Its made with rice so its something that you can even make yourself if you have a long sock.

[bunnyrun5]

California Sunshine I just love you all the for this post. I have printed it out and taped it to my office wall and took a copy home so I can get busy with some type of stress management. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!

[California Sunshine]

Bunny thanks I hope it helps!!!!!

[jubaby]

Aren't you just the sweetest thinking about us like this. Thank you. I feel loved.

[California Sunshine]

Ah Ju I was thinking of you guys and me too because I KNOW how bad stress can be physically and mentally! It's no good I'm going through some stuff now and you gals (and guys) on PTO are always here for me so I was just trying to help everyone in this forum any way I could

Here is a link to a med website that has other great links and useful info regarding anxiety,stress and depression

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/m...dbehavior.html

[chinikfb]

Peace...Want to add that when I am stressed as I was earlier this week, I start cleaning. Sounds strange yet it works for me...been known to clean folk right out of my life! Blessings...

[Bluesky]

Thanks for the warm thoughts. I need to do something, lately I've been crying a river.
I get through some bad days but this pass week has been the pits!

I'm going to get busy doing something.

[California Sunshine]

http://psychologicalselfhelp.org/chap12/chap12k.htm

Good site about venting,getting things off your chest etc.

[Ronnie]

You take such good care of us here on PTO...it truly is Home Sweet Home!!!

[strangeanimal]

Thanks for the links...I'll check them out as well as the suggestions I heard. I noticed with me, I can feel the tension in the back of my neck and it hurts, so I wet my hands in warm/hot water and then rub the back of my neck, same thing if I'm holding a coffee cup, I put my warm hand at the back of my neck.
I really like to look into the rice sock thing to help.

I also started to go and see a chiropractor. I used to do Tai Chi, so maybe I should start doing it again.

[j2sq]

THANKS!! awesome thread.

[Marchio1948]

Thankyou for all your kindness youo have done.

[MyRainbow]

When I saw this thread on stress, I had to laugh.
(See? Another stress reliever. )A-ha!

Lately, while experiencing stress, (hah!), I find a quiet place, light a candle,
and just talk it out with God. It has really helped me.
Or, I may take a nice relaxing shower--imagining that all the stress is washing
away..down into the drain...
Or, if I feel the need to "talk" to someone, I get on my computer and just
pound away! Then, when I feel that I have truly vented, I hit the delete button
and poof! All stress and frustrations are gone!
Or, if I'm just plain ol' drained,
I'll lie down into a comfy position, get quiet, and imagine relaxing energy
seeping into my body, first with my toes, up my legs, torso, shoulders,neck, and
right on up to the top of my head. As I'm doing this, I'll stop at a certain point,
say, my knees, and say to myself:
"The relaxing energy enters my knees. I'm at peace with myself, the world,
and everything in it.."
If I haven't fallen asleep by then, I sometimes get really imaginative and
try to picture the energy relaxing my bones, muscles, organs, etc.etc.
Usually, I find that I have gone into a deep relaxed state.
And, yes, I have also been known to drift off into a deep sleep--
even if it's for 5-10 minutes!
Afterwards, I feel much better. :-)

So, these are some of the things I do to de-stress!!!

Btw, Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

[arriana]

YOGA is my stress relief.. and bellydance... they are fun and relaxing...

I also play squash which really lets you get the stress out as you beat up that lil ball...


it is important to find your niche and relax

[California Sunshine]

During this rough patch in my life that I am going through I have found that reading books helps me to take my mind off of my troubles

Crying,just getting it all out has helped a bit as well

[ginaned]

wow this is a great thread something very much needed for me this has really helped me alot thank you

[Sleepy&Happy]

HEY THANKS,,,, YOU KNOW THAT I BEEN UNDER ALOT OF STRESS THAT IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I HAVE ALL THIS PHYSICAL Symptons AND ACTUALLY FEEL THEM I TRIED EVERYTHING BUT BEFORE I CAN TRY ANYTHING ELSE I HAVE TO FIND MY SELF FIRST RE GAIN MY TRUST IN MYSELF AND IM WORKING ON THAT ITS HARD TO DEAL WITH YOUR EVERY DAY LIFE AND KIDS HAVING A LOCKED UP MAN. GOD BLESS US ALL
.

Originally Posted by California Sunshine

I thought since this is our forum to vent over our issues that make us sad,mad,depressed,frusturated and so on that we could use a little bit of stress management.I know I sure could! I can only hope some of you get a little use out of this as well
I compiled some info from many different online resources for ways to reduce stress and relax the body and mind.With that said here are a few tips.......



Get enough sleep. The more rested you are, the better you will be able to handle stress in your life. Most people need about eight hours of sleep every night to function normally. Some need less than that, others need more. Note how long you sleep when you don't set an alarm clock. If, for example, you go to sleep at 11 p.m. and wake up naturally and feeling well rested at 8 a.m., you probably need at least nine hours every night.

Balance your diet. Make sure your diet includes all the nutrients your body needs to keep you going strong. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limit the amount of sugary and fatty foods and soft drinks you consume. Also cut back on caffeine and alcohol if you tend to overindulge in those things.

Exercise. Physical activity is a great stress reliever. Do something that you enjoy, so that it doesn't seem like a chore. It's also good for motivation to include a friend. That could mean playing a sport like tennis, or having a partner to exercise with at the gym or walk or jog with.

Reach out. When you're stressed, sometimes the last thing you want to do is socialize. But being with people and having fun can help you forget your troubles for a while: It's not healthy to dwell on them every minute. It's also good to talk about your problems with someone who cares about you and whom you can trust -- a friend, a family member, a spouse, or even a therapist. and who could forget our very own PTO

Relax. In addition to all the above, a few minutes of down time does a lot of good. You've probably heard about relaxation techniques like yoga or electronic biofeedback, but you don't have to do those things if listening to music, knitting, or just staring out the window is your idea of a relaxing break.


How to relax your body :

The systematic muscle relaxation procedure goes as follows.

While sitting quietly and comfortably, slowly inhale and exhale and close your eyes as you do so.
Bend your right hand back at the wrist and briefly hold the tension. Now relax.

Now do the same thing with the left hand. Hold the tension and now relax.

This time tighten both hands into fists and hold the tension. Feel it spread up the arms towards the elbows. Now relax.

Now bend both arms at the elbows and raise your hands up towards your shoulders. Tighten up the muscles in the biceps. Hold it. Now relax.

These three exercises have used the major muscles in the arms and started them relaxing. If you don’t move them around, they will continue to relax becoming more and more relaxed, and you can forget about them

Next, turn your attention to your face. For your forehead raise your eyebrows up a far as you can and hold the tension. Now relax.

For your eyes, squeeze the eyelids tightly together. Hold the tension. Now relax.

For your jaw you just bite down and clamp your teeth together. Feel the tension along the jaw. Now relax. These three exercises have started the face relaxing.

For your neck just bend your head forward as if trying to touch your chin to your chest. Feel the tension along the back of the neck and now relax.

For your shoulders just raise them up as high as you can and notice the tension. Now let them drop all at once and relax.

For your chest you do two things at once. Take a deep breath and hold it while at the same time trying to touch your shoulder blades together by pulling your arms back. Hold it. Now relax.

For your stomach you just pull in as if trying to touch your backbone with stomach. Now relax.

For your back you arch out and away from the chair, and you can feel tension along the spine. Now relax.

With your feet flat on the floor, press down and feel the tension spread up the back of the legs. Now relax.

For the right thigh raise your leg up on front of you and feel the tension build. Now relax.

Now do the same thing with the left leg and relax.

Finally, for your feet bend your toes up as if pointing towards the ceiling and feel the tension around the feet and ankles. Once again, relax


Stress Walk
The next time you have built up a lot of physical tension or are about to enter a difficult situation, take a walk. Walk around your desk at work, up and down stairs, down a hallway, around the block, or back and forth in your living room. A walk — even a short one — can give you a much needed "time out," releasing muscle tension and allowing more oxygen to enter your brain and body. It can be amazingly effective.

"Time-Out" Relaxation
When you are caught up in a difficult situation and need to calm yourself down, try this: First, push yourself away from your desk, or move away from whatever is causing you to be upset. Then, close your eyes, take a deep breath, exhale, and move back again. This brief "time out" can help release your physical and mental tension, providing a diversion that can help you return to the problem with a better mind set.

Other Quick Ways to Relax
Praying, listening to soothing music, or taking a few moments to be alone have also been found to help many people relax. Stretching, closing your eyes and counting to 10, or simply finding something to laugh about may also prove beneficial.
The key is to find the relaxation exercises that you find most effective and then practice them regularly. The end result will be a happier, healthier you!


Ways to relax your mind





Imagery Introduction:
Imagery is a potent method of stress reduction, especially when combined with physical relaxation methods such as deep breathing.

You will be aware of how particular environments can be very relaxing, while others can be intensely stressful. The principle behind the use of imagery in stress reduction is that you can use your imagination to recreate, and enjoy, a situation that is very relaxing. The more intensely you imagine the situation, the more relaxing the experience will be.


Imagery in Relaxation
One common use of imagery in relaxation is to imagine a scene, place or event that you remember as safe, peaceful, restful, beautiful and happy. You can bring all your senses into the image with, for example, sounds of running water and birds, the smell of cut grass, the taste of cool white wine, the warmth of the sun, etc. Use the imagined place as a retreat from stress and pressure.

Scenes can involve complex images such as lying on a beach in a deserted cove. You may “see” cliffs, sea and sand around you, “hear” the waves crashing against rocks, “smell” the salt in the air, and “feel” the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze on your body. Other images might include looking at a mountain view, swimming in a tropical pool, or whatever you want. You will be able to come up with the most effective images for yourself.

Other uses of imagery in relaxation involve creating mental pictures of stress flowing out of your body, or of stress, distractions and everyday concerns being folded away and locked into a padlocked chest.


Imagery in Preparation and Rehearsal
You can also use imagery in rehearsal before a big event, allowing you to run through the event in your mind.

Aside from allowing you to rehearse mentally, imagery also allows you to practice in advance for anything unusual that might occur, so that you are prepared and already practiced in handling it. This is a technique used very commonly by top sports people, who learn good performance habits by repeatedly rehearsing performances in their imagination. When the unusual eventualities they have rehearsed using imagery occur, they have good, pre-prepared, habitual responses to them.

Imagery also allows you to pre-experience achievement of your goals, helping to give you the self-confidence you need to do something well. This is another technique used by successful athletes

[California Sunshine]

How To Cheer Yourself Up When You're Down

by Colleen Moulding

Got the colder weather, sour relationshops, no money, poor health, plain ol' down 'n dirty blues? Try some of these strategies to blow away those dark clouds and let the sunshine into your life again.
1) Dance! Put on your favourite music, turn it up loud and dance! This is guaranteed to make you feel good. If you are unable to dance, don't let that stop you having fun - sing at the top of your voice instead.

2) Smile! Force yourself to smile even if you don't feel like it. This tricks your brain into thinking that you are happy. You do want to be happy don't you? Okay then - a great big cheesy grin. After three, one, two, three, - smile :0)

3) Spend time with children. Their natural zest for life is infectious. As well as the pleasures of a spontaneous hug or a chubby little hand in yours, try to take away with you some of their joy in simple things, licking an ice cream, playing with water, tramping through fallen leaves or following a butterfly.

4) Reward yourself. If there is a job that you hate to do, household accounts, home repairs etc. don't keep putting it off so that it is constantly nagging at you. Just get it done. Then reward yourself with whatever you love, a shiny new magazine, a bunch of flowers, a long soak in an aromatic bath, two bars of chocolate or an evening in front of the tv doing absolutely nothing. Or even all of the above if you can afford it. The peace of mind that comes from having got the job done will be the greatest reward of all.

5) Clear out your clutter. The ancient art of Feng Shui believes that getting rid of clutter rids your home or work space of negative stuck energy and allows space for positive energy to surge into all aspects of your life. Whether or not this is correct, it is an undeniable fact that clearing out what you no longer want or need makes life easier. Your home is neater, looks more spacious and is easier to clean. There can also be a tremendous feeling of freedom as you let go of the past and trust in the future to bring you what you will need. Emotional clutter can be even more damaging. We've all said or done things we regret, the trick is to do anything you can to repair the damage and if that is not possible, forgive yourself and toss it out of your life.

6) Take action. If something is worrying you, be it a health problem, or debt or divorce, make that doctor's appointment, get some debt counselling, find out your rights. The reality is often less stressful than sitting alone worrying about it. Try to talk over your problems with a friend, or if that is impossible find a support group on the Internet by typing debt, divorce or whatever into a search engine.

7) Positive thoughts. When you leave the house each morning, say and mean, I'm going to have a great day, it's going to be lots of fun, rather than thinking Oh no, another dreary day at the office to get through. The first attitude will attract good vibrations and positive fun people to you, the second will ensure a depressing day.

8) Have more fun. Apparently children laugh approximately 400 times a day yet adults laugh only about 20 times a day. When do we lose our sense of fun? Claim it back. Play games, watch comedies, have daily jokes delivered to your mailbox or throw a fancy dress party.

9) Make something. Being creative gives you such a buzz you won't stay down in the dumps for long. Stencil a room, make a cake, plan a garden, sketch or paint a picture. Express yourself with a modern collage, change your rooms around, display your collections or start a patchwork quilt.

10) Keep a gratitude journal. Write down half a dozen things every day that you are grateful for, from waking up and seeing your children's beautiful little faces to the smell of the roses in the local park. This cannot fail to cheer you up if you do it regularly as it gives you a whole new way of experiencing your life.

11) Start a new project. Learn a language, trace your family history, redecorate your home, learn to ride a horse, gain a new qualification, take music lessons, learn to make your own soft furnishings or do your own auto repairs. Visualize yourself successfully completing the project and the benefits it will bring to your life. Then make a start and follow it through to the end. An added bonus will be the increased self esteem that comes from having planned, problem solved and perfected the whole project yourself.

12) See your old friends. It's easy to get into a work, family, housework, shopping, sleep and back to work again routine that leaves you no time at all to be the person you once were. The funny, up for a laugh, outgoing young woman you used to be. Spending time with friends who knew the old you seems to resurrect that side of your character. You will come away feeling younger, more positive and more excited by life than you were before you met up. Go on, invite them over to share a pizza and catch up on each other's lives.

13) Paint or accessorize a room that you spend a lot of time in a lovely bright yellow. The colour of sunshine will lift your spirit and bring positive vibrations. We subconciously know about the effects of colour on our emotions which is why we talk about the future looking rosy or having the blues.

14) Take the happiness option. You have the choice whether to spend this day, which you will never live through again, in a state of happiness or unhappiness. Choose to spend it as happily as you possibly can.

[California Sunshine]

All-Natural Stress Busters

By Theresa Tamkins

These tips will help you reduce the stress in your life -- no herbal supplements or medications necessary.


1. Religion
Some studies have suggested that people who use "religious coping" -- seeking God's help, finding comfort in religion -- have lower blood pressure than those who use alternate stress relievers. The simple act of praying for stress relief might be enough to achieve your goal.



2. Forgive Someone
A recent study found that those people with a propensity to forgive others tended to have -- you guessed it: lower blood pressure than their less-forgiving peers. Isn't it time you gave up that grudge, if only to gain the health benefits?


3. Sleep
About 60 percent of people who are stressed say they don't get enough sleep, according to a National Consumers League survey. If falling asleep is your trouble, it's time to start a calming bedtime routine. Start with a soothing shower and some lavender body wash. Then slip between the covers with a light novel and you'll be asleep in no time.


4. Vacation
Can't find the time or money to plan a lounge on the beach for a week? A vacation can be as simple as a quick weekend trip, or a special event near home. All that's necessary is that you spend an extended period of time not thinking about those things -- work, money, relationships -- that are making you crazy.

5. Yoga
Even one yoga class can cut levels of the stress hormone cortisol -- reason enough to get you down-dogging with the best of them. Taking a yoga class at a local gym is sure to offer you a rejuvenating workout. Or if simple relaxation is what you really need, find a yoga class that specializes in low-key hatha yoga.

6. Bubble Bath
Lock the door, work up a lather, and forget the world exists. Add a few candles -- sage is a soothing scent, or try sandalwood incense -- and maybe a good book or some classical music, and you'll be well on your way to forgetting your horrific commute.


7. Lighten Your Workload
Talk to your boss, delegate tasks, or start looking for a new job. If work is making you crazy, you're not alone. Work is the top source of stress in adults aged 18-54, according to the National Consumers League survey. Forty-six percent say it's a problem.

While you're searching for a less stressful job, find some ways to unwind after work. Sit quietly for 10 minutes before you start your evening. Play a favorite CD while fixing dinner. Or delegate your home chores so you can relax on weeknights instead of slaving over laundry.


8. Cup of Tea
Whether it's chamomile or chai, try to take time, relax, and put your feet up when enjoying your favorite brew. In the warmer months you can chill a pot of freshly brewed green tea for a calming and cooling treat.


9. Biofeedback
There are many different types of biofeedback, all aimed at turning you into a warm puddle of relaxed goo. Talk to a health professional about these techniques in which sensors are used to measure your temperature, muscle tension, or heart rate and translate them into lights or sounds. Or for a different sensation, ask your partner to give you a massage, or splurge on an appointment at your local spa.

[mrschris]

here are some things that i do to pass time by (in addition to helping me relax)

i read, read, and read! i read romance novels and childrens stories. i told another poster, once i got off the phone with hubby, started reading a novel, and suddenly the phone rang. when i looked up, it was 8 am and my hubby was calling me again! the time flies by when you read a good book.

i stay around my family and friends. i notice that when i stay home by myself, i tend to get a little depressed and self centered. whenever i'm with my family, again, hours will pass and by the time i get home, i'm so sleepy i fall right out. wake up and bam! another day passed

i watch movies. at 2-3 hours a pop, they can really help pass the time, and give you something to think about. if something was especially interesting, i'll write to hubby about it. it gives our letters somewhat of a conversational appeal to them as well as romantic.

i write to hubby journal style. some people come to me and ask, "how do you always have so much to say?" it's because i write to chris just like i would speak to him. we write to each other about everything, the hurricane disaster, movies, music, business ideas, school, everything. i tell people that sometimes their worst mistake is that all they talk about is love. it's good to let hubby know you love him, but after about 50 letters...it gets a little dull. we have a romantic/love component to each and every letter we write, but we also talk about worldly things. before ya know it...you'll have a 5 or 6 page letter, and still a ton more to say. ive noticed ive run out of energy before ive run out of words! and at 1-2 letters a day...hubby will always have something to read, youll always have something to write, and time will moooovvveeeeeeeee on along.

laugh alot. hubby and i often get jet lag. i'll wake up and say, "babe...it's wednesday already?" and he'll be like, "baby, you must want me to stay here longer, because it's friday!" and i'm like wow...2 more days down! so we have a good laugh, and something great to look forward to.

take hubby with you places. we do this by forwarding the home telephone calls to my cell phone. i'll answer the phone in the middle of the mall, and viola! hubby is "there" with me on a collect call from the jail. he feels like he's getting "out" so to speak, and i can enjoy hubby's voice while i do some of my favorite things: shop, have lunch, or get my nails/hair done!

do a project to help pass by large amounts of time**** i put stars next to this one because this is killing 4 birds with one stone. time passes by, you have something else to concentrate on besides the prison sentence, AND you better yourself (and hubby) in the making. a 4th thing that comes out of it is that other people are helped. i'm going back to school for my masters degree. by the time hubby comes home, we'll be one degree smarter and one degree richer. that's a 2 year project, and it will pass 2 years worth of our time. by that time, my baby ought to be home on weekends via program, or even on ISP. you can pick a ton of things to do. my friend decided to go to nursing school. other people start art projects to pass time. some people redecorate their homes. some volunteer somewhere. i wanted to volunteer at my local pet shelter for 4 hours a day. but then i found out about the baby, so that has to go on hold. then i decided to go to school. so spend a few days thinking about something really long term or serious that you can do...and go for it!

i hope this list helps some other people, i know i do all of the above things personally, and me and hubby are both better for it. he's more comfortable knowing the things i do to keep busy, and he's happy that i'm not always down, and he knows where i am all the time. and the time flies by for me some days. it's not a foolproof way of passing time, but 4 fast days versus 3 slow days is better than 7 slow days a week!

[mlv]

I have a son, who has been in prison for the last 15 years,and this past March, he was given another setoff !!
I was upset about this to say the least, but, a month after this setoff, I started waking up in the middle of the night with anxiety attacks !! I had never had them up to this point !!
The last thing I wanted to do was go to the doctor and be given a bottle of pills, so I took matters into my own hands.....at the age of 66 years young, I decided to take up running !! I have walked and cycled all my life, but running was new to me, I had read, where it really can help anxiety, how right they were !!
I started walking for ten minutes, and then run for 10-20 seconds, set your self up for success,and if you start huffing and puffing, you are running too hard. Just start walking and then run for 20-30 seconds, and before you know it, you will be running longer distances....
Here is a great website...www.jeffgalloway.com
I got brave enough to enter some races, and won my age division, this was very encouraging, I then went on and ran my first half-marathon , in Choteau, Montana, this past August...www.grizzlymarathon.com....
I have conqured my attacks, and I can thank my running , walking and cycling for the relief, without the pills....I run three times a week and walk four to eight miles, everyother day....
Believe me, if I can do it...you can do it !!
ML

[izellahbian]

This is great! I love the stretches I feel a million times better. I'm putting this page into my favorites so I always have a way to relieve stress.