Since the stressors in life are not going to go away soon has anyone found any way to reduce their stress? I do some exercising which sometimes helps but it also sometimes makes the symptoms worse if I get frustrated and push myself too hard. Any other suggestions? I don't want to get worse or have these symptoms stick around for who know how long.

-soccer14

What are your primary stressors that you can't get away from?

My friend is probably the main one right now. He seems to be doing somewhat better though. I'm not sure he said he has stopped writing his will though so hopefully that is a good sign, still don't really know what to think. Until we sell the house the financial situation will be somewhat of a burden. There is someone that looked today though that said they may be interested so we are keeping our fingers crossed about that. Since school is over now that was a major stressor but that is gone. I still am taking one class though so hopefully I can get that done in the next month I won't have to worru about that one.

I obviously can't get away from my grandma. I make sure to spend a lot of time with her and that seems to help, I mean being able to see her. I told my ex-boyfriend who felt bad about what he did with breaking up with me and wanted to get back together that I just needed some time away from him so most of that stress is gone. I have been eating a little better lately so that isn't on my mind as much as it was before.

My dad is doing well now so that is no longer a problem. I still get heart palpatations even after the surgery so that is sort of always in the back of my mind but I try not to think about it much.

I guess overall most of them I can't really just block out like I can with some of the other ones like my dad. I try my best not to think about most of them but they are usually just sort of there in the back of my head and will just pop up at random times.

I would say after writing this and really thinking about them some of the stressors aren't as bad as they were or are getting better right now.
I am just hoping that once most of the stressors either diminish or go away completely the symptoms will go back to the level they were at before this happened.

-soccer14

I suggest you start a journal. List the concerns/stressors you have.
Break them down between the concerns/stressors that you can impact and those that you can't.

For those that you can not impact, decide on a thought to divert your concern.

For example,

Grandma, The doctors are doing all that they can to help her.

Your heart palpitations, Again, the doctors are aware of your condition and are doing all that they can. Plus, anxiety will only make it worse.

List what you can do to impact those concerns. Make a plan to do those things to impact those concerns.

Grandam; She knows I love and care about her but I will keep telling her when I have a chance.

Your heart; I've taken my meds. I'm eating healthy.

Your class, My homework and studying is done, or I have set time to do my homework and studying for ~ 6:00 to 8:00 ~ are whatever.

Think of the Serenity Prayer :
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

If you have noticed by your young age, most seniors do not get upset or worried about many of the things that upset or worry young people. They have many years of experience and know that very little of the things that people worry about can be changed, especially by their worrying.

Your generation often gets stuck worrying about what others think. There is an adage that goes: If you only knew how little time others spend thinking about you, you would stop worrying about what they think may about you.

Make notes to remind yourself of tasks you need to do. When you right the task down, you can let go of it in your mind.

Now, decide to do the completable tasks and let go of those tasks that you cannot complete or impact.

These are skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life. Most people take decades to learn to let go of worthless worries and anxieties.

Understanding your symptoms is a good way to accept them and work with them. The frustration of fighting against your symptoms is a self-defeating task.

Some of your stressors need to be individually analyzed.
For example; Your ex-BF.
Why do I need a BF?
or... Do I need a BF?
What benefits do I get from having a BF?
What liabilities to I take on when I have a BF?
Does a BF get in the way of other issues in my life right now?
Am I less of a person without a BF?

Your family's financial issues
What am I doing to help my family financially?
What am I doing that causes difficulties for my family's finances?
Can I make an impact on my family's financial situation?
If I try to make a positive impact on my family's financial situation, do I risk making things worse?

Most financial issues are best handled without emotional involvement. Emotional decisions are the leading cause of financial difficulties.

Get the idea?

You have a great opportunity to start thinking about your life in meaningful ways.

This is the best idea I have ever been given on this site. I think a journal will be an amazing way to get things out of my head rather than continuing to think about them or trying some other way to get rid of the thoughts.

Sometimes when I get overwhelmed I turn to exercise but I go for a run to help get rid of the thoughts. as you know the impact of running has devastating effects and is only a short term fix because I can't run away from the problems forever. It also causes my symptoms to come back horribly so I try not to do that.

I used to also drive around as a release but because of the possible absence seizures I am having I try to avoid driving at all costs (it saves me money on gas then too ).

What I have been doing lately is just putting on relaxing music to try and calm down but then the thoughts are still just spinning around in my head whcich ultimately just causes more pain. With a journal I can now listen to music and write down how I am feeling as a release. It will not only help me but probably everyone I am close to because it will keep me from having a hurtful outburst.

Mark thank you so much for this idea I think it will really help in the long run. If you have any other good ideas like this let me know because I don't want these problems to stick around forever.

-soccer14

Soccer-

Just wanted to add I do this as well, and it really helps me to feel like I have some control over things, even if they are things I can't really change.

Hope this helps you!!

Hi, Soccer14

Just checking on you.

Like many others here, we're still figuriung it out as we go.

Hang in there ! ! !

Other things you could try to bring down your stress levels are guided relaxation/meditation or mindful breathing. There are lots of free podcasts you can get for this. I used many of them in my first few weeks of concussion.

Also, cognitive behavioral therapy may be helpful. If you cannot afford to see a psychotherapist who uses this approach, there is a book called The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns that walks you through how to do it yourself.

I have found both of these techniques very helpful for managing stress, depression, and anxiety.