https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:44:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547359 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:40:10 +0000 Ra 1547359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pug snuggles are a FANTASTIC stress reliever, too! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547328 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:12:00 +0000 Greentea 1547328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few things that help me:</p> <p>Playing guitar (this always reduces my stress- singing and playing guitar, out of key, out of tune, not letting it matter, just playing a song that I like- does wonders for me- puts me in the moment-) I find it really freeing.<br /> Time outside, specifically walking. Or going for a run.<br /> Identifying when I feel stress and breathing and trying to relax through it.<br /> Venting to dh (who by nature is very non-judgemental person).<br /> Swimming and climbing (sports that are more personal than competitive, but that I can still take a lot out on).<br /> Definitely avoiding triggers- people and or places.</p> <p>I wouldn't worry about that research. That would just stress me out! I would intentionally ignore it. Stress about stress is just too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547219 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:52:48 +0000 Silva 1547219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: Oh, and for whats its worth- do you find Crossfit to be relaxing? Do you feel relaxed both during and after? Personally I find that walking or running by myself are the most relaxing exercises I can do. There isn't external pressure, and they can be meditative. I have never done cross fit but my understanding is that there is a competitive nature? Maybe I'm wrong there, but I wonder about incorporating a non-competitive, more relaxing type of exercise (walking is excellent, especially outdoors and without head phones in). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547215 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:50:07 +0000 Ra 1547215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried progressive muscle relaxation? I see a therapist for my anxiety and it is one of the techniques that I find most helpful.</p> <p>ETA: This is the guided PMR that I use most often. It is only 10 minutes long and having someone guide me through helps me stay focused.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFwCKKa--18" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFwCKKa--18</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547212 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:48:00 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1547212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: my RE told me I needed to get rid of my stress. Easier said than done, right? I will say the month I developed my IDGAF attitude I got my sticky baby..</p> <p>Here's what helps me:<br /> - breathing exercises<br /> - candles<br /> - hot tea or chai tea<br /> - long walks<br /> - delegating and asking for help -- I tend to take too much on at once then feel overwhelmed since I never ask for help. My husband played a huge role in helping me deal with this (still a struggle at times..)<br /> - avoiding triggers (certain people or places increase my anxiety)<br /> - seeing a therapist. Obviously this is a long term option but I can't tell you how much it helps. </p> <p>In the end, I know it's easier said than done. I hope you're able to alleviate some of your stress! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547183 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:28:23 +0000 Silva 1547183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: Full disclosure: i'm a therapist. so obviously i have a bias here. But this is why I think stress / anxiety are interchangeable. I think "stress" has become the socially acceptable way to refer to anxiety for many people, particularly men and people in high power positions.<br /> But, technically I think stress is event specific, and generally associated with anger, frustration, nervousness, and tenseness. Anxiety is more of a fear or a worry, a feeling that something bad is going to happen, and is often pretty constant (maybe at low levels, with spikes). Anxiety would continue once the stressor was gone. So, if its work that is making you feel this way and you took a vacation, you'd still experience some of the feelings if it was more related to anxiety.</p> <p>Regardless, a good therapist can help with both. I know its hard to find time for therapy, but I can speak from personal experience and say that once you find a good one, it can be life changing. I've experienced anxiety at various times in my life, the strongest being during pregnancy. I found an excellent therapist, and after maybe 5 months of working together found significant relief from my symptoms. I still experience it occasionally, but am much more able to relax myself, and use a variety of methods to lower my anxiety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547179 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:25:31 +0000 looch 1547179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You wrote that your brain never shuts off...that's me. I will be laying in bed, exhausted, but I can not sleep, because I am<br /> thinking about some detail of something I can not address at that moment. </p> <p>Part of it for me is environmental. Mornings are very hectic and if things aren't going according to the minute by minute plan, I panic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547177 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:24:38 +0000 cmomma17 1547177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A second vote for therapy. It will help you figure out what stresses you out and why, help you identify triggers, find (healthy) coping mechanisms, etc. I also agree that it could be anxiety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547172 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:20:41 +0000 LindsayInNY 1547172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: @silva: How do I know the difference? I know anxiousness but I don't feel like I would use that word to describe things? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547167 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:18:00 +0000 gingerbebe 1547167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: I don't have specific suggestions for you but I'm really happy to hear that you're making this a priority. Speaking from personal experience, I say do ANYTHING to reduce your stress.</p> <p>I was one of those people who "thrived" on pressure and stress all my life. All nighters, pushing on deadlines, etc. And not surprisingly, I'm an attorney. We also had problems conceiving and over the course of a year, we suffered 2 miscarriages.</p> <p>Then at 31, I got diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. I had surgery for it, spent weeks in ICU, and then spent months recuperating at home. It was the hardest thing I had ever done up until that point.</p> <p>The reason I'm sharing this is that I really think stress played a huge role in how fast my tumor developed. I'm not saying that my stress caused the tumor, but I truly believe it made it worse. The type of tumor I have is extremely slow-growing and the typical patient is in their 50s or 60s before its detected, if at all. My doctors were SHOCKED by the size of my tumor and how young I was. They guessed that I'd had the tumor for at least 5 years just based on my health history, which coincides with when I traded my 80-hour a week job to go to law school.</p> <p>What cemented this for me was when I went back to work. I found that after spending months recovering and basically not worrying about anything other than waking up, showering, and taking care of myself, any kind of stress instantly made me physically ill. Slamming on my brakes in traffic, dealing with a difficult client, getting into an argument with DH - anything remotely stressful immediately manifested physically somehow. Headaches, dizziness, exhaustion. </p> <p>My recovery basically reset my system to zero-stress tolerance and made me see how stressful my day to day life had been. Since then I've made drastic lifestyle changes. I go home early, I don't put in extra hours unless absolutely necessary, I'm willing to take a pay cut or change jobs, I say no a lot to social obligations and professional events, I take care of my relationship with DH, and we take frequent vacations. I've reduced alcohol and caffeine consumption and spend a lot more time praying and keeping my mind and spirit calm. We are extremely frugally now and basically live on 25-30% of our income. We slashed our budget to get rid of our student loan debt as quickly as possible so that we wont have to worry about money in the future. Its just not worth it.</p> <p>Oh, and as a side benefit, a year after surgery, we found out we were pregnant and we're almost 17 weeks now. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547164 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:15:08 +0000 Silva 1547164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>therapy. I think "stress" is often code for anxiety. The two are very related and interchangeable at times. Even if its not anxiety, a good therapist can work with you to integrate coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and over-all lifestyle changes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547162 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:10:02 +0000 looch 1547162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could it be anxiety? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547161 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:07:10 +0000 Cole 1547161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wonder if taking small breaks through the day to just pay attention, do breathing exercise or light yoga would help. For me at least, it was helpful to just disconnect from over drive for five minutes a few times a day before going on. Yoga helps me a lot too- even when making time for it stresses me out. Is there anything you can back out of or say no to right now? I am also a huge fan of mental health days, go to the gym, have lunch with a friend and spend an afternoon at the spa. One other thought is to outsource a few other responsibilities- if you cook dinner every night order takeout, have your groceries delivered, dry cleaning picked up and delivered, hire a cleaning lady etc. Sometimes giving up one of these chores can go a long way when if you don't feel like it adds stress to your life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547145 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:56:51 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1547145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've also been doing castor oil packs and warm baths woth epsom salts before ovulation and I find them so relaxing. The book Making Babies has some great tips too. Good luck love! And Remember its not all on you! A lot of people conceive under great stress. Don't stress yourself out worrying about stress. Easier said than done I know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547140 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:53:53 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1547140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate yoga normally because I am so high strung, I usually love to punch and kick things. I have been doing Brenda Strong's yoga 4 fertility DVD and it is really helping. I highly recommended that or some kind of yoga class (usually you can find people who specialize in fertility. I think there are some great options in NYC). It took me a while but I am in a groove and feeling the benefits. You will also want to do it during your pregnancy (which I know is around the corner). So it's just good to get into. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547130 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:50:07 +0000 Raindrop 1547130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: I think for me the big thing was knowing I was stressed out. :) So I'm glad you finally realized you are stressed out because that's a lot of the battle. Excising will definitely help! Good luck! Let us know how it goes.</p> <p>*hugs* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547124 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:47:42 +0000 LindsayInNY 1547124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: Nice, but not possible =/ I'm an attorney so as long as I'm in my current job, stress is the norm. I've thought about where I want to be long-term but that isn't an option right now. I'm wondering if adding pilates back to things would help? Or maybe doing a short pilates/yoga workout in my office some afternoons? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547118 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:46:21 +0000 spaniellove 1547118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: It used to bother me that the meditations would put me to sleep, but I finally realized that it wasn't a total waste. I was still getting some kind of relaxation out of it and now when I'm in pain I at least know how to do the breathing exercises - that was as far as I got in the meditations! It's been helpful for me over the years to read self-help books (often about mindfulness) to learn new strategies for diffusing my reaction to the day-to-day stuff. </p> <p>Honestly I've read about that research too and I don't think it's really the cause of most IF. But if there's something sensory you connect with, that might be a good way to let go of the worries IF is causing you. Like if you like massage, it can't hurt to get regular massages...they have a way of helping to release emotions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547110 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:43:45 +0000 Raindrop 1547110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: Oh I have been there... when I was getting married... working and going to school part time. My period stopped for 3 months (TMI) and I had no idea why. </p> <p>I actually didn't feel stressed at all. BUT when I saw my OB she asked what was going on in my life and she said I think you are stressed out.</p> <p>It wasn't till after finals that my period came back but it was super wonky. Once I graduated and the wedding was over my period went back to normal.</p> <p>Maybe you need to make some bigger changes in your life? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547104 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:38:13 +0000 LindsayInNY 1547104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: I've thought about that... The thing is, I don't think things are stressing me out, if that makes sense. It's like I don't realize I'm stressed or what's stressing me... I think my brain is shut off but it really isn't? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547098 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:35:06 +0000 Raindrop 1547098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As I was growing up one way to reduce stress for me was journal-ling (sp?) because I was able to write down what stressed me out... and sort of let it go.</p> <p>Also a big stresser in my life is making sure I "do" everything aka lists of things... did I buy everything needed from target? did I get a wedding gift for so on so for Saturday? I started keeping a note book for just things I need to do and that helped a lot too.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reducing-stress#post-1547093 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:31:11 +0000 LindsayInNY 1547093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first step is admitting you have a problem, right?</p> <p>I have major stress issues. I'm just starting to come to terms with it. For me, level-5 stress is normal. I don't have a 0-10 range. It's more like 5-10 and I probably hover around 7-8 most days. It's bad. After reading a CNN article linking stress to fertility problems (DH sent it to me...), I'm starting to realize I need to change things. I started acupuncture about a month ago but that's only so much of a "fix."</p> <p>So, how do I help reduce my stress levels?! I've been making a huge effort to leave work between 6:30 and 7:30 most nights, usually leaving around 7:00. I really can't do any earlier. I work out twice a wee (CrossFit). I tried a meditation thing one night before bed and just fell asleep. What else can I do? </p>