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• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• September 26, 2007 9:13 p.m.

  Have a small talk with friend, hang out with them for a day, and sleep after that.. If it doesn't work, write down what made you stress like that, and what can you do about it. Just write again if you still stress.............

  - Adi

• September 26, 2007 7:36 p.m.

  I've caregiven to both my in-laws and my own mother for several years and was filled with stress just to deal with their wants and needs. Since they all went into care facilities and have also passed on I have gone on the web sites to find out how to deal with high blood pressure and stress. After many months I have finally brought down my blood pressure and my stress levels have subsided substantially. What did I do well I have started taking a Vitimin B complex daily, added lots of minerals to my filtered water(which I drink 2 1/2 litres per day) added Omega 3,6,7 & 9's daily, do deep breathing to have my lungs oxyginated and walk our dog daily for about a half hour. Stay away from salted foods, wheat products, processed foods, and keep taking those calcium - magnesium capsules with your Vit C's. Sounds like a lot to remember but you know what I'm 66 years old and don't take any medications whatsoever and am as healthy as a horse and raising a second family and still work. M

  - gogirl

• September 26, 2007 5:33 p.m.

  Is it possible to stress yourself into vision problems.

  - stephanie

• September 26, 2007 4:54 p.m.

  Stress is now a major part of who I am, self induce or not thats the way it is do I like it of course not. I'm working on it, because least april I had a heart attack, only thing is is that i'm dealing with so many "stuff" that I find it really hard to make some progress. For one thing I want to stop smoking but to me after 37 seven years of blowing my smoke I find it almost impossible to get in the frame of mind to quit, I am really mad at myself for having the stroke and in the same "breath" mad that I am still smoking. Fair Winds to all Mike

  - Mike

• September 26, 2007 3:59 p.m.

  I walk.

  - dgaile

• September 26, 2007 2:40 p.m.

  I do three main things: on a daily basis: I watch my Mexican soap opera for one hour. That's my me time and I know I can relax! When I have the time, I try to do something nice for someone else (usually involves making food and sharing it, or babysitting, or something like that) And I make to-do lists the day before, not on the day I have to get things done. This was a recommendation from a therapist who told me it would help reduce the pressure I was feeling to accomplish everything on my list, which I now limit to what is essential. Ah! I forgot something. When I get my new O (Oprah) magazine, I take a bath that day and read it! :)

  - Laurel

• September 26, 2007 1:51 p.m.

  For me journaling, daily meditation, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) found on the web, prayer, deep relaxation yoga have all been so helpful. A question: Is there a relationship between panic/anxiety attacks and atrial fibulation?? I welcome your thoughts.

  - Bobanne

• September 26, 2007 1:45 p.m.

  I work as a nurse in an acute care hospital and I am a case manager - highly stressful job! My relief comes in several ways - a small bit of dark chocolate after lunch (to lower the BP AND the desktop disco-ball light that comes out of my locker. Everyone laughs and smiles and this is one of the best ways to lower stress. Frankie

  - Frankie

• September 26, 2007 1:08 p.m.

  Lets be real. Many out there have a few drinks to reduce stress. I don't, as I have seen what it does to my patients. Something else, also that I don't do, is smoke marijuana. I mention this, because I have noticed that the overall health of the non-drinking marijuana smokers is vastly better than the drinker's health. I am assured that the marijuana imbibers (several eat cookies with pot baked in them to avoid smoke)are not habitual nor are the drinkers drunks. Personally, I agree that regular exercise and regular hours probably work for most, best of all. Please do not think that small amounts of alcohol have no deleterious effects.

  - E.Long, RN

• September 26, 2007 10:27 a.m.

  I quit smoking. It cut down 50% of the stress I felt. Then, because I now could breath, I began walking a half hour a day. Since I live in the woods it's a lovely walk...not always easy...but lovely. And I have my prayer time. Faith not only moves mountains but it made it possible for me to go walking.

  - Granny Goodwitch

• September 26, 2007 9:57 a.m.

  I've had a hard life. My father was the son of a doctor, but he was a good business man. He lived with the 'son of a doctor' complex all his life. He beat and raped my sister and I most of our early years. At age 13 Ihadheartsurgeryin'54. My mother has a sadistic type personality; my sister committed suicide at 33. I married a man who took my children at ages 2 and 3. I got my daughter back age after 2 yrs and my son after 5 years. My son doesn't remember the early years I loved him so much. He has severe asthma from birth, and I think my husband told him I am bad and hate him. Now he's 36 and I'm 66 - I think he tries to remember me but he pretty much has a hard time with it. After I worked for 16 yrs as a legal sec. I got carpal tunnel syndrom and went to school to get a degree at age 57. Now I teach foreign people to speak english on the internet. I've worked through grief etc throughout the years. I'm naturally an up person - as the irish used to say 'happy-go-lucky'.

  - Jacqueline

• September 26, 2007 8:57 a.m.

  I have fought depression for the last few years. My alcoholic father committed suicide and my alcoholic mother died from emphysema. Needless to say my childhood was not the best, but I did love my family. The baggage I have tried to let go of has been difficult, but my faith has sustained me and good doctors who helped me with finding an antidepressant that would work for me. I realize I am the only one who can allow these demons to defeat me, so I choose not to. I know I am a good person. Stress can be so overwhelmly scary and of course can make you feel so bad physically. I pray daily for strength and peace. Pushing myself to just take a walk and clear my head daily helps so much. Also just trying to live one day at a time. Talking to God is the best way for me to feel better and just at peace.

  - Lou Ann

• September 26, 2007 8:43 a.m.

  i run. and pray

  - esther jack

• September 26, 2007 6:14 a.m.

  As a practising therapist - mainly hands-on but also Reiki & energy work - I find that giving yourself some special 'me time' is essential. Get up, go outside whenever possible and do some deep breathing - focussing on counting as you breathe in, hold for double the count, then breathe out for the first number initially helps to clear the mind and oxygenate the tissues so you immediately feel better. Making sure that you are eating properly & getting enough Coenzyme Q10 plus vits and minerals makes a big difference. I've found an amazing supplement that helps with all the body processes from breathing to circulation to relieving depression, aches and pains and also regulating blood-sugar levels. It's transformed my life and is now available in the US too. There's also a new treatment I have discovered call 'Bars' which helps to clear the mind and remove age-old blocks, enabling real progess to be made, and, of course lymphatic massage is so relaxing. Lavendar oil relaxes

  - Julieq

• September 26, 2007 5:06 a.m.

  i have to take my annual exams in just three days and still i dont know how to prepare even though i keep on studying whole yaer?

  - aami

• September 26, 2007 3:06 a.m.

  Mom2 ~ I've only had one panic attack; it was caused by the hospital stopping my anxiety medication by accident. All I remember was thinking that I needed someone to talk to me ~ desperately ~ so I could focus on something outside of myself and get my mind off of what was happening with my body. I don't know if you've ever done any Meditation. If not, it might be worth checking into. You don't have to medidate on a regular basis if you don't want to, but you should learn a Mantra, and learn how to put yourself into a Meditative state ~ basically, a state of deep relaxation. Once you learn how to do this, you will be able to return to that state whenever necessary just by calling upon your Mantra and remembering your Meditation training. You'll be able to disassociate your mind from what your body is doing. I know it sounds odd, but it truly does work. You'll be able to put your mind somewhere completely calm; that will then transfer to your body. Look into it. MinPin

  - MinPin

• September 26, 2007 3:02 a.m.

  Thanks Dr. Edward and Mayo for this blog. Stress the inability to cope with a situation is the root cause of many a sickeness (mental and sickness). Stress defeats the purpose of life ie. to be at peace with oneself. Creating a buzz about stress is vital to ensure that as individuals and in groups we reduce stress in each other. In effect, we need a stress free thinking process to have stress lifestyles. I wish everyone all happiness and stress free lives.

  - Sunil S Chiplunkar

• September 26, 2007 2:58 a.m.

  Paula ~ If your daughter is that sick -- she's been sick for years, and throwing up almost non-stop for days on end -- then it's not stress. Get her to an Endocrinologist, one way or another. Have them check her Cortisol levels, as well as her ACTH from her Pituitary gland, and her Sodium and Potassium levels. She could easily be borderline Addison's or Cushing's, which could both be life-threatening if she goes into a crisis. She could be having Thyroid issues, Para-Thyroid, you just don't know. And, quite frankly, unless the doctors have done the proper blood tests ~ FASTING BLOOD TESTS ~ they don't know either. NEVER, EVER let doctors dismiss you when you honestly believe something else is going on. If I had done that, I'd be dead now, there's no doubt in my mind. I would have blacked-out behind the wheel one night trying to make it home from work. Do whatever you must to protect your daughter. Her life may depend on it. MinPin

  - MinPin

• September 26, 2007 2:41 a.m.

  I got sick 2-yrs ago & spent 18-mos trying to get diagnosed. Before I could, they ran me off my job, making me file EEOC charges and fight them. I was diagnosed with Secondary Addison's disease; I take steroids to stay alive. I'm sick; I had to file for Disability at 42. Finally, I sold my house and moved to California so my Dad and I could be together. When I arrived, something was wrong. He was angry and very abusive; something had changed. I took his abuse for 8-mos until we got him to a Neurologist; I went between an Endocrinologist and Oncologist. We got diagnosed about the same time. Dad has Dementia from Multiple Sclerosis, at 70! They think I have Uterine Cancer, at 44. How do I take care of myself AND care FOR him? I have no one to talk to but Dad; I have no friends. My car's about to be repossessed; I lose my health insurance next month. Sometimes I wish it would all end. Mostly, I just hope it doesn't get any worse. Someday, I'll deal with all of it.

  - MinPin

• September 25, 2007 11:34 p.m.

  Does anyone have any ideas about what helps panic attacks? I have had them in the past as well as present. As much as I try to "talk myself out of it" nothing seems to help. I know they are stress-related. Please share any ideas or help. Thanks.

  - mom2

• September 25, 2007 11:24 p.m.

  I have been up to my eyeballs in stress for several years. I finally almost had a total breakdown -- healthwise as well as mind & nerve-wise. I took care of my mother-in-law for 5 yrs (Alzheimers and totally blind) before she died, and have been caring for my mother (has been living with us for 15 yrs) who has Multiple Myeloma as well as Congestive Heart Failure and other health issues. She is very controlling and has totally stressed me out! I have finally come to the realization that I can no longer care for her, as my health is going down the tubes fast. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as Lupus and other health problems. I have found a retirement-type of facility that we are waiting on an available room for her, but in the meantime I have sitters to stay with her to help care for her until the room becomes available. I thought I would be able to care for her until she died, but I have finally realized that I cannot do it any longer. The stress was literally killing m

  - mom

• September 25, 2007 10:52 p.m.

  I just read Dr. Don Colbert's Book "The 7 Pillars of Health". Under " Coping with Stress" he writes of Mindfulness. It is training your thoughts to let go of anything other than the present moment. Instead of constantly wanting more be thankful for what you have and resist comparing yourself or your possesios with others. Show some gratitude.

  - Lynne

• September 25, 2007 10:23 p.m.

  I do not believe that stress is "self-inflicted." Not being able to cope with stressors, or being overwhelmed with stressors causes us to lessen our coping skills. I have chronic pain,and have had for decades. No maatter what doctor, what medicines, what medical procedures, the chronic pain never goes away. That then causes insomnia, so I am always tired. Both of those create depression, so medical problems cause stress to the body and mind. THen, there are environmental stressors, such as a predator who entered my life and financially ruined me,and is still doing it by abusing the court system to continally cause more stresses. Those are realities, called "situational stresses' and they cannot be ignored. They must be dealt with. The physical and mental stresses have caused me to be placed on full disability. I cannot handle this alone, so hope this blog can be of some comfort. Yes, I pray, yes I go to church. But those realities must be endured. HELP!

  - Fred Fredericks

• September 25, 2007 9:42 p.m.

  My best medicine for stress relief is to do something nice, helpful or meaningful for someone else.

  - Jane.

• September 25, 2007 9:33 p.m.

  Mag...There is another option to a spinal cord stimulator, it's called radio frequency ablation. An orthopedic surgeon can give you a referral to a specialist to have the procedure and it is non-invasive. A spinal cord stimulator is invasive as it involves your spine, wires and surgery. You didn't say what levels of your spine are affected but this may be an option for you. I have had this done to my neck and back and it really does help a lot. The procedure has to be repeated at approxiamately 8-12 months as the nerves regenerate. I am able to swim and do an aerobic routine in the pool to relieve my pain and my stress!

  - Rene