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• October 3, 2007 1:42 p.m.

  I find ballroom dancing helpful as I have to concentrate on the dance so my mind is relaxed while i also get some mild aerobic exercise.

  - Mark Piegols

• October 3, 2007 12:49 p.m.

  I am a 47 year old Mother of three. Grew up in a houshold with a very abusive alcoholic Father.Losing my Mother to Cancer at 21 left me to take care of two siblings to some degree and a newborn . Over the years I have experienced many tragic events. Only now have I realized that even though my husband is a great provider and not physically abusive he posesses the ability to cause me the mental abuse I felt as a youngster.(He also drinks at least once or twice a week) .I believe the stress has caught up to me. My Health over the past few years, hit rock bottom .Among other things I have been diagnosed with Mono ,mild depression and hypothyroidism. I am about to see a Rheomatologist for SEVERE joint pain and fatigue. Can stress be the cause of my ailments? Am I heading in the right direction?

  - michele

• October 2, 2007 9:37 p.m.

  I am trying to deal with the stress of how to help my husband of 45 years - I have read & am trying to take good care of ME too but I have questions about specific care issues - My husband has always been an avid reader of novels mostly : but now has depressing episodes of not being able to remember what he has read - Do I encourage him to keep trying or tell him to stop the frustrating attempts. Next - our social life has gone downhill but I am so bored - should I push him to keep it up even if he feels he can't contribute to the chatter? I am not talking huge coctail parties - just dinner with 6-8 old friends Any advise you can give me would be appreciated. Margit

  - Margit

• October 2, 2007 7:35 p.m.

  What I fail to understand, is just how many people feel the need to say that GOD relieves their stress, and not give themselves the credit that they deserve. YOU relieved your own stress, NOT a diety. The relaxation you get from praying is not due to god or faith, but instead attributed to the time you take for yourself to be calm and quiet, letting your thoughts do the sorting out of the stressful activities. You are strong, and that comes from within, not from god. Believe in the power of self and all will be made clear. Realize that YOU control things, not something else. The stress will melt away when you realize that you can fix it, if you only let yourself and not be dependant on god, or using god as an excuse.

  - Wesley

• October 1, 2007 6:59 p.m.

  I do work that I love. I go outside everyday, even when I work. I live not for from the railroad tracks and the train's whistle bring back great childhood memories. I run - along the side of the railroad tracks and throw rocks. I've written poetry and journals for nearly 50 years. I've learned all that helps me feel satisfied, safe and serene.

  - Ann Gassaway

• September 30, 2007 4:17 p.m.

  to Doris J - Take Levaquin for diverticulitis - not Cipro. Ask your Dr. to prescribe it for you. It works great. I take it when the need arises.

  - Lynne

• September 30, 2007 10:35 a.m.

  After having to take a stress leave from work last year (6 months) and doing therapy around the problem, I have learned that I can be my own worst enemy. When work gets busy, I start going faster and faster, getting really wound up and shutting out everything else around me, including people. Now I really try to practice mindfulness, so that I can see when the winding-up starts. When I notice that it's happening, I really pay attention to calming down and slowing down, telling myself that it's not a matter of life and death, that I will get the work done, etc. That way I don't get lost in a stress "soup." It works a lot of the time, but I know it will continue to take practice to really hone this new habit. Great to read how others handle situations. Thanks for this blog!

  - Katya

• September 29, 2007 9:06 p.m.

  Pat: I also have diverticulosis and have frequent bouts of infection (diverticulitis) , have even been hospitalized once with this. Yes, stress has an effect on the condition. I try to stay on high fiber, low fat diet and that has helped. The most common antibiotic given for it is Cipro, which is very hard to take. It is quite strong and will kill even the good bacteria. Sure wish there was something better! Good luck.....

  - Doris J

• September 29, 2007 6:17 p.m.

  I suffer from what I just found out (or was told by a different doctor) is "advanced stages of emphysema". This ws not easy to hear at 63! I had chronic bronchitis (COPD)I thought. Anyway, I DID stop smoking after 45+ years..that was just before my new doctor told me about the emphysema! Wish I'd done it years ago. Been doing nebulizer treatments 3-4x/day for over two years. Get panic attacks once in a while that make it even harder to breathe. You'd think that all modern medicine has accomplished over the years, they'd surely find a cure for this dreaded disease. But since they can't even cure the "common cold", I guess it's par for the course. Any suggestions would be appreciated as all the doctors want me to do is take anti-depressants for the panic attacks and albuteral etc. for the COPD. It's frustrating and scary!!

  - Bev

• September 29, 2007 1:02 p.m.

  I get very stressed at times and get terrible headaches. How can I get rid of the stress?

  - Bill

• September 28, 2007 10:36 p.m.

  Recently I have been diagnosed with divertiulitus. I have always had a lot of stress going on in my life. Can stress cause or worsen this disease? thanks ... Pat

  - Pat

• September 28, 2007 2:18 p.m.

  I just turned 60 and have started treating myself to living with less stress by: - keeping the cell phone turned OFF when drivng - exercising 6 days a week - trying very hard not to RUSH--discovered that "hurrying" had become a habit -quit making lists; instead just ask myself, "what MUST happen TODAY?" - think in day-tight compartments - telling my adult kids; "I'll get back to you" instead of dropping everything to accomodate them - be thankful for all that is good in my life - journal my prayers and be honest; God knows anyway -have dropped "friends" who suck the life out of me - try to be a blessing to someone every day - not taking everything so seriously; we are just "passing through" - take time to participate in a blog like this

  - p strand

• September 28, 2007 8:48 a.m.

  Dear mom2, Re: panic disorder. A good psychotherapist, who has had experience and really understands the nature of panic disorder is a MUST. It may take longer than a pill and some "behavioral" suggestions, but my niece has been medicated for about 10 years (she was supposed to progress enough within a year or so to be weaned off meds) and has been in therapy 2x a month with a psychiatrist. She IS doing much better, but that has actually taken MUCH longer than 2x a week, or even 1x a week with an experienced psychologist or social worker (psychiatrists can be very effective with medicating, but according to a mental health consultant are not the only source of good therapy). Whatever you learn about yourself will always help cope with stress, but I have found that "behavioral" suggestions, tho helpful at the moment, don't change what's under the anxiety well enough.

  - Judy

• September 28, 2007 12:43 a.m.

  Chasseur,take care of yourself first and worry about the world later.Love yourself first and the world later.At eighteen you are sure taking very difficult classes. I am guessing you jumped through some grades to be a third year student.That in its self can be stressfull.I know from the time I graduated high school and the four years it took to get my BS I matured alot emotionally and mentally. Being no help to the world is not a good enough reason to keep yourself from suicide.Get your self better and then you will be able to help the world more. Is it at all possible to slow down at school? If so do it.I know if you have schlorships and grants require most students to be full time but stay at the line where you are still full time but have time for yourself. Keep praying,your prayers are heard.Mag I barely made it thru Algebra II in highschool lol

  - Mag

• September 27, 2007 11:55 p.m.

  Mag, RF is not totally easy either. The doc numbs you and uses needles in your back. I think it's better than the alternatives though!

  - Rene

• September 27, 2007 11:46 p.m.

  Mag, If pain is shooting down your leg it is from a disk in the lower back I believe and RF may help depending on your diagnosis. I just had Radio Frequency again today on the left side of my lower back and the right side was done a few weeks ago. The doc said I should be ok until March, so 6 months until both sides will be done again. My problems are the last three disks in my lower back. I am trying to avoid a fusion at all costs which can really cause big problems. I have read articles where they give radio frequency to people with advanced cancer to relieve the pain. You have to get to the right doctors to determine if you can have RF. In my case it was two Orthopedic surgeons, one where I live and another at the Hospital for Special Surgeries in NYC. The work I do in the pool is a program designed by my physical therapist. She had aquatic therapy training somewhere in Florida. So glad to help. Write again if you need anything.

  - Rene

• September 27, 2007 11:44 p.m.

  julieq..what's the supplement you were talking about? Sounds too good to be true!

  - Diana

• September 27, 2007 11:41 p.m.

  am 18,3rd year BS Chemical En'ng here in the phils. i was rushed to the ER last august for having seizures,numbness in my whole body and difficulty in breathing.i know am stressed after not being able to enter the academically elite UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILS. studying was a grind in my university, and after failing my CALCULUS 2, last semester, and a major academic delinquency by repeating all my precalculus math this semester, i know am stressed and depressed. am doing better now, except for some sleepless nights...my max.sleep is about only 5 hrs.since last week. tried to calm myself by praying and drawing closer to God, everyday.Am also involved to some Compulsive Disorders and Gender Identity Disorder too. Am praying not like the pray of the blindman, but a prayer to God to open my eyes, give me strenght daily, and be a blessing to someone else. i have suicidal tendencies, but i realized that it wouldnt help the world if i give up now and end my life.THESE TOO SHALL PASS!it will.

  - chasseur

• September 27, 2007 8:24 p.m.

  how do you recognize stress? i never think about it,. however it seems as if lots of people and organizations like to talk about it. working and keeping busy supporting my family keeps me busy and does not allow much time to think of stress.

  - Ed Hickey

• September 27, 2007 7:50 p.m.

  What about using the supplement GABA to help handle stress? Anyone have any comments? Any side harmful side effects?

  - tina

• September 27, 2007 3:08 p.m.

  Mike,I sure understand about the stopping smoking.It is hard for people who have never smoked to understand how hard it is to quit.It was in a national magazine that nicotine is the second most addictive drug there is. I have done it once and now I need to do it again,only this time for good. I need to pay close attention for the triggers.I think at some point in time that everyone has stepped back and have noticed that other people's problems are bigger than others and we appreciate what we do have. What needs to be understood is that what might be a small stressor to one person is huge to another. Until we all have walked in somebody else's shoes we should not be so quick to judge others. We all our wired differently. Showing and being compassionate to others will make anyone feel better. Good luck, I am Irish so surely luck should come natural to me.lol Mag

  - Mag

• September 27, 2007 3:04 p.m.

  My husband of 53 years has advanced COPD, is on oxygen and many other meds. I am his caregiver and have very little time to myself. My stress affects me in many ways: my digestive system mostly. I could use suggestions for ways to help me handle it all. Prayer is one I already use daily; would go "nuts" without it!

  - Doris J

• September 27, 2007 2:46 p.m.

  Rene I am going to ask about the radio frequency,I am just confused about one thing. Is it the spinal stimulator or the radio frequency that has to be addressed every nine months to a year? Love the advice,sounds like it would be alot easier.Do you know if it would be effective for the pain that shoots down the leg?It can be so severe sometimes I can't walk or even stand long enough for a shower. It sure gives me something to think about.Thanks a bunch. Mag

  - Mag

• September 27, 2007 11:03 a.m.

  A simple and very important strategy I use is to breathe deeply. I plan to take a few minutes a couple of times a day to be very intentional about this. Doing this helps me remember to use the strategy when I most need it.

  - Patricia Doherty

• September 27, 2007 8:27 a.m.

  one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time. all the usual things...walking, nutrition, my music but sometimes you have to just put one foot in front of the other and trust that you will survive this, too. Peace to all, whatever peace means to you...Peep

  - Peep