How to deal with severe stress?

Question

So far this has caused some hair loss, excruciating headaches, and tiredness. It's cause: high expectations, demanding school life, and family problems. I'm pretty good at getting my mind off of all the matters that cause this stress, but eventually what I've bottled up explodes and causes depression.

No medication (besides a Tylenol or two). No therapy. What are other ways to deal with stress?

Thanks so much.

Answer 1

Have you heard the saying "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".  I don't mean to say you are dull at all, you are probably very interesting and intelligent but have left one thing out of our life, and that is having a bit of fun.  Fun - meaning relaxing time, going to the pub for a game of darts and a shandy - or whatever your tipple is.  Just for an hour or two, say once or twice a week.  Exercise is also good for getting rid of stress believe it or not, so just taking a brisk walk to start off with or going swimming on your own to give you space from other people, where you can have some "me time".  Some of your demanding social life may have to be forfeited for your own sanity.  What you see as "bottled up" can be released in having a nice swim or walk, maybe join a fitness club and if you are short of funds the local councils now are offering very good terms for people on low incomes.  Another free way of accessing exercise is to join a group of people who do waling.  You will meet a very different group of people in this way and find a new outlet for yourself.  You may even take to it and give up your other passtimes and the stressful friends that go with them.  

I think it is better to join an activity group such as walking, table tennis, badminton, swimming where you can also meet afterwards for a coffee or a drink or two and have a nice chat.  Partying can be very stressful,  you have to wear the right clothes, be "just so" and be exuberant at every occasion.  We can't just do that because it means we are wearing ourselves out at every opportunity.  I've been there, got the ticket and I don't wear the T-shirt any more!  It has taken me a lot of years to say"no" to people and perhaps this is something you may want to consider, saying no is not a admitting defeat.  What you could do is get a diary, mark off the most busy days you have and in the evening put "busy" which means if anyone asks you out, you can say sorry I'm not available that night, I have something else on.  They may ask you what it is - so just say "I have marked it as busy and the details are at home" or something like that.  

I wish you well.  I hope you find a way of coping with stress but stress is usually brought on by other people's demands, and by you not being able to say "no?"  Think about it.

Kipersonalnd regards.

Answer 2

The most important thing is to find something that can help you relax....there are dozens of different things for different people...it can even be a place that is relaxing where you can just be quite for a minute and think.  I like to meditate but I also like to exercise, the exercise thing is good because it gives you the chance to blow off steam and you are doing something good for your body at the same time.  But counseling is also a good idea...if you have never tried it you should not dismiss it  as an option

Answer 3

Try journalism. Write out all your thoughts, feelings, moods, everything in a journal. This helped me a lot and stopped me from cutting. It relieves a lot of stress. also try talking with a councelor