Stress!!

[BiggusGeekus]

Make a list of what you have to do. Doesn't matter how long it is. Doesn't matter if you keep adding to it. Just have something to keep you focused. Then just do the job you have in front of you.

Exercise is also really good. It does a lot of things for you.

 

[GlassJaw]

My problem is... when I get to this point... I usually just collapse into a screaming, crying mess and get absolutely nothing done because I'm so focused on the fact that I'm never going to get all of these things done. It's totally the logical way to do it! *rolls eyes*

You need to chill girl! Deep breaths, deep breaths.

Make a list. Now. Seriously. Post it here and we'll help you prioritize.

Remember GlassJaw's Rules for Dealing with Stress (I should write a book):

1. Make a list! At the top of your list, write "Make a list". When you finish your list, scratch off #1. See, you're already making progress!
2. Do the easy stuff on your list first.
3. Eliminate non-essentials. Don't over-extend yourself. Sometimes you just have to say "no". DVR is good for this.
4. Take breaks. Breaks are good.
5. Sometimes you just won't be able to get everything done. That's ok. Life will go on.

 

[Jdvn1]

So - tell me EN World - how do YOU deal with stress? Give me some tips to stay organized, calm, and rational as I attempt to conquer the coming week. I need it!

I'm probably an extreme optimist, but I always think things are going to turn out okay.

Whenever I have a lot of stuff to do, I just work fast to try to get it done. If I know I'm not going to get it done, I figure it's not a huge deal. I try to do the important things first. If everything's important, I do the faster stuff first to have more stuff done by the deadline. If things don't get done, it's not the end of the world. If a class goes badly and there's no way I can still do decently in the class, I'll see if I can drop the class and try again later.

Dealing with money is harder for me because I'm paranoid about bills. I try to make sure I always have enough money to cover bills. I've only had to ask for loans or borrow money from friends on very very few occasions, and I always make sure to pay them back within a week or two.

Basically: Things turn out okay. There's always something you can do if things go badly.

At least, that's what's ingrained in my head. I've always worked well under pressure.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Make a list. Now. Seriously. Post it here and we'll help you prioritize.

(1) Make a List.
(2) Revise my Honors English Personal Narrative. Due 10/6.
(3) Get my reader's card at the National Archives before 10/12.
(4) Using my new reader's card, find at least 5 more primary sources for my senior capstone (aka, thesis).
(5) Compile sources into bibliography for my senior capstone. Due 10/12.
(6) Write my 4-5 page response paper for Ethics in the Professions. Due 10/6.
(7) Call the MD DOT to work out what's up with my registration and what else I have to do to get it all switched over.
(8) Go to campus and pick up my reading packed from Professor Norris' office.
(9) Send notice to Fairfax County, VA about my change of address/find out how to do it online.
(10) Sleep.

The things that have due dates have due dates next to them, but a lot of the tasks are dependent upon completing other things. Like finding additionally primary sources for my thesis - I need to go to the National Archives to do that...

Whew. I'm feeling better already.

 

[EricNoah]

Taking big tasks and breaking them down into little manageable chunks might help you feel less overwhelmed.

 

[Lobo Lurker]

Your wife is a resource. Don't be afraid to use her. Let her know that you're really stressed and why. Then tell her what you need (whether it be silence, a backrub, whatever).

Then, as other stated. Just do one thing at a time. Before you know it, you'll be finished.

I find that leaving the house and walking around outside for a good 20 minutes really helps a lot.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

So... is there a medical explination for how exercise can make you feel less stressed? Currently, I think "making time for 30 minutes of exercise?! I may end up not sleeping tonight... how can I make time for exercising?!"

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

I sit in the dark and brood over things and generally try to avoid human contact. I get pretty hard to get along with when I'm stressed.

 

[Jdvn1]

So... is there a medical explination for how exercise can make you feel less stressed? Currently, I think "making time for 30 minutes of exercise?! I may end up not sleeping tonight... how can I make time for exercising?!"

Maybe being exercising makes you too tired to be stressed? Like a forced muscle relaxant?

 

[Xath]

So... is there a medical explination for how exercise can make you feel less stressed? Currently, I think "making time for 30 minutes of exercise?! I may end up not sleeping tonight... how can I make time for exercising?!"

For me, excercise gets the juices pumping, and makes me feel more refreshed. If you feel as though you'd be wasting time, prop up a book you need to read on you're exercycle and knock out two things at once.

I find that after I go to the gym, it's always easier to do homework.