When I start my day with the bible, I'm not as stressed. It's not something to do
because it reduces stress, because I tried it that way before and it didn't help. When I read just to think about God's words and be a little closer to Him, everything feels less horrible, on the whole, like nothing could ruin the day because God is at the center of it an He is perfection.
I do deep breathing exercises. I have memorized and recite certain passages of scripture. I listen to Christian music. I try to remember the whole "do unto others" thing. I go for walks around the block. I make sure I have well-rounded, nutritional meals and plenty of water. I make to-do lists and keep my wall calendars up-to-date. I talk with my supervisor about work issues, if needed. I write (duh): poetry, short stories, pieces of longer stories, angry letters I never send, etc. I take long baths with a good book or two (hot in the winter, lukewarm in the summer... It's heavenly!). I spend time with my doggie. And, of course, I pray. A lot.
My job is high-momentum and high-stress. I work in the mental health field, in an arts-based program that serves our entire (humongous) county, so it's important I have ways to release the stress.
Oh, one last thing. If I'm obsessively upset about something (can't think of anything else, angry, feeling hurt and betrayed), I need a friend who can just listen to me while I word-vomit. I just sometimes have to say how unfair life is and how much everything sucks and how angry I am about it. Then, I let it go. It's like deflating a balloon or draining the infection from a boil. Once that feeling isn't inside anymore, I'm better. But I can't visit it more than once, or I start getting upset again. Some people think that's an unhealthy way of dealing with this sort of emotion, but hey, it works. I have one completely neutral support who's agreed to play the role of listener with me when I need it, and it's a great feeling to let it out and feel the instant release of pressure.
