Anti-stress

[jennyjen02]

I've been feeling irrationally stressed for a few weeks now, even though I have barely anything to be stressed about! My exams are over and it's now the summer holidays, but still I constantly have something that I'm worried about. I always have that sick feeling of dread when I wake up in the morning, and I lay awake at night worrying about the most POINTLESS things! Most of them about a boy I know, but we won't go into that! I've always been a worryer, but it's getting ridiculous...

I just wondered if anyone knows some good ways to cheer yourself up and just destress yourself? (preferably non alcohol based! :P)

Should I start having early nights? Any advice?

[andy-hughes]

The interesting thing about stress is, you can often be more stressed by deciding that you have nothing to acftually be stressed about!

Even though there is no bvious cause in your life, you do exhibit signs of stress, which need to be addressed.

It may simply be delayed reaction to your exams, or issues with your personal relationships, but what ever the cause, this needs to be sorted.

First of all, get yourself a healthy diet. Cut out junk food, cut down, or out, sugar, spicy food and alcohol. Try not to eat at all after seven p.m.

Get some exercise - walking or swimming regularly, but don;t go mad, just a walk fast enough to get you breathing deeply for about twenty minutes a day will help.

At bedtime, ensure you are relaxed for at least an hour before you go to bed. Have a warm bath and a hot drink, and when you go to bed, make sure your room is well ventilated, and you have a nice lightweight duvet or sheets.

Try and read for half an hour before you go to sleep - don't watch tv or films.

All these strategies are proven to help with stress, and you should see some benefit farily quickly.

Good luck.

[jennyjen02]

Amazing answer, thank you so much!

[andy-hughes]

You are most welcome.

I should add - if the strategies i have offered don;t appear to be working within two to three weeks, and your symptoms are the same, or worse, you should consider a chat with your GP, who may suggest a short course of anti-depressants.

This is perfectly standard, and you won;t become addicted - iot will just help you over this small hurdle, but hopefully the 'natural' proceedures will do the trick.

A x

[Mr k]

As andy has said exercise helps

Also eating banana's help as they contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.


Research performed at both the University of California at Davis and the Harvard Medical School has shown that symptoms of depression can be alleviated through nutrient supplementation and changes in diet. Harvard University researcher J. Michael Murphy documented that when children who "rarely" ate breakfast switched to "often" eating breakfast, they became less hyperactive, anxious and depressed.

In terms of depression, your body has the ability to create "groovy messengers". The neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine have shown themselves to be instrumental in relaxation. Low levels of serotonin are believed to cause mood disorders and depression. There are certain foods that promote the production of these key neurotransmitters.

Carbohydrates in foods such as the amazing banana, turkey, whole-wheat bread, brown rice and tomatoes elevate serotonin levels. Both bananas and turkey contain tryptophan, a protein that converts into serotonin.

Im sorry i have not given you any ways to cheer your self up but if you eat right can change many things...

wishing you well...

[blah32]

Hi.. just to add to andy's answer... have you looked into aromatherapy? Try a goggle search aromatherapy and stress. There are some essential oils which are great to help you unwind and can be sedative too so brill to add to bath before you go to bed ... Eden Aromatherapy make a blend that you use straight out of the bottle, no worries about how many drops of which oil. I love it... can be good as massage oil too if you're lucky enough to have someone to help out with that!!

[chappie]

I'm with Tetjam here, Jenny.

You can't beat a nice bit of roast beef, yorkshire puds and roast tatties. Hmm ... smashing!

[ChuckFickens]

and I thought Galantine was more your thing tetjam :)

Hope the new baby is well

[chappie]

No, no, no Tetjam .........

No oil, you must use lard for the best results. (Or goose fat).

PS: Hope the wee nipper's not keeping you awake all night.

(Sorry to interrupt Jenny).
x

[chappie]

Tetjam, will mini-jam become an ABer when he's a little older?

[chappie]

Tetjam, how do you know there are paedophiles on AB? I've seen the word bandied about before on here - why?

Is it just one of your jokes? You little tinker!!!

I like your sense of humour most of the time, but sometimes you leave me totally puzzled! (Okay, so it doesn't take much ..........)

:-)