Hey all,
I've been off work a while and I have to back tomorrow. I'm a teacher, don't like the grade I'm teaching this year and the principal and vp are less than understanding about personal situations. I am having major stress tonight....anxiety attack type. I know I won't sleep at least until tomorrow is over. Anyone have any really good, cheap, ideas that don't require training to minimize stress. The pint of hagen daez is looking really good right now but I know that is not the answer. Either is the booze or pill bottle. How do we get through these awful times? My mom is fine, no worries there at this point, which what was threw me out of the loop a few months ago. Now...just getting back to real life stress. Any help anyone can offer is much appreciated!
Sandy O

Coming to this forum helps me. You mention " a strong sense of humor will get through most things!" I agree with that. Maybe have a belly laugh watching a really funny video. I go to utube.com and laugh at the antics of other people and animals.
Maybe set a goal you wish to acheive in your classroom and enjoy the satisfaction of that acheivement.
And, oh, be thankful that your mother is fine right now. Thankfulness is very therapeutic.

Boy, you've limited my arsenal, love, ruling out the booze and pills...
that's a joke, but... there's times when I very deliberately do NOT have a glass of wine to help me unwind, simply because I really want a glass of wine to help me unwind.
I have a whole lot of herb teas to pick from.
I think about exercise, those thoughts keep me distracted for a while. Perhaps if I actually exercised, I might find that helpful, too.
I read, I channel surf.
Food is a reliable anxiety reducer, but it has obvious side effects and drawbacks, so I don't recommend it.

Self-hypnosis? Get some CD's, you can find 'em online, relaxation or whatever, plenty of vendors; I find those helpful, too; Play 'em on a walkman as you fall asleep. I have found that useful in various self-improvement applications. Although I'm not any thinner.

I'm sure I'd have lots of dandy healthy stress decreasing habits and hobbies if I didn't have all these damned stressors taking up so much of my time.

Herbal tea,,good music,,,asprin with the herbal tea,,helps you to relax,,warm bath,,,looking at a favorite movie,talking to an old friend, deep breathing thru you nose and blowing the air out completely thru your mouth. All bring down blood pressure,,really helps anxiety,,and does relax.

If that doesnt work,,get good alcoholic beverage of choice,,run tub with nice warm water,,,throw in a favorite fragrance with some oil,,light a candle,,,get in tub with favorite beverage,,say a prayer,,,listen to some great music,softly,,deep breaths,,,relax! Oh,,and if beverage should become empty while lounging in the tub,,,have hubby get you another one. Peace.

have you tried lavendor lotion??? that works well with a bubble bath

Sandy--A nice long bath works as a stress buster for me. I bring in a radio, tune in some restful music, lather up and and add hot water as needed. I've been known to stay in the tub until 'prune skin' sets in.

When I climb out and drain the tub, I visualize my stress being swept down the drain by the drain fairy (my name for the dancing swirl).

I do a little self-hypno exercise, thinking about my toes first, and telling my toes they're relaxed, and sleepy, and asleep... now my feet, they're so sleepy, then my ankles... all the way up, and usually I'm asleep long before I reach my head, but if I'm on the head, I focus on neck muscles, mouth and jaw, eyebrows, forehead.... it usually helps me fall asleep. Like counting sheep, in a way.