Hi Becky. When I'm having a really stressful week I often get so tense in my upper body that I actually have trouble breathing, and I have to lean on a counter and hunch over just to take a full breath, so I know how hard it is to de-stress. Since realizing that I had developed an actual anxiety disorder from too much stress, I have sought out a few different avenues for relaxation. A few things to try or consider:
Excercise: Tai Chi - if you want a really calming meditative activity, or kick-boxing if you want to get out pent-up emotions!
The arts - make a regular date to go (even by yourself - lots of people do) to the symphony; or take an art class, or go back to a craft that you used to enjoy (for me, I discovered scrapbooking and have made tons of new friends as a result too).
Herbal Teas - they really help to calm and relax. My favourite is chai green tea (the combined version), along with a good book - I've always wanted to join a book club but don't yet have the time as my toddler keeps me on my toes when I'm not at work. But if you have the time, I think a book club would help keep your mind active in a recreational/relaxing kind of way.
Get out!! After having my baby, I became so engulfed by being "mommy" that I stopped being me - so recently I have reconnected with lots of friends and now I go out for fun about once a week, whether it's for dinner with my husband or just coffee with the girls.
And finally but most importantly, do a really hard-core self examination about what's REALLY stressing you out. Is it just work? Or are there people/memories/issues plaguing you with negative thoughts and feelings that are eroding your coping mechanisms? If you can identify things that are behind your stress, make a step-by-step plan to counteract them.
Anyhow, those are my tips. Hope they help!
Caitlin
