Too much stress

[Phinea Rogue]

What do you do when you are stressed? When the tension of exams is too much to bear? It seems like everything around me is falling - I failed Slovak literature which was really important, because it was the 'state exam' (to finish the uni in my country we need to take these so called 'state exams' which consist of everything we studies during the five years) and passed only Slovak linguistics. I've postponed my English Linguistics and English Literature to September because I just wouldn't be able to take all this within less than 2 weeks and my thesis isn't ready. I'm stuck with my thesis and now Slovak Literature goes to September too, I've disappointed my parents a lot, and I somehow can't concentrate on anything (especially not on thesis). I've managed to lost some weigh too which looks horrible as I'm quite thin normally (and I ate as usually). So do you have any good ideas?

[pallas artemis]

I walk in the rain when I'm stressed. I enjoy the rain anyway but walking in the rain just seems to wash away my worries their no agenda like in the shower, wash hair. . . shave legs. . ., your just rambling along in the rain.

I also recommend salt scrubs. I get them at bath & body works but i think you can find similar things elsewhere

[Emma'I'm a real witch']

A great way to relax when you are stressed is to lie down in the dark and start from your toes, clench the muscles in your toes, then relax, clench your toes and feet, then relax. Do this right up until you are tensing your whole body and relaxing, this tends to make you feel sleepy so is a good one to do if you can't sleep.

Another good one is pretend you are lying on a beautiful beach all by your self and it is completely silent apart from the sound of the waves lapping the shore. As the waves begin to creep up the beach imagine that they are lapping over your toes, calfs etc, etc,... Once they reach your head, imagine all of the things that are stressing you seeping out into the water. As the water recedes, it takes your trouble and worries with it.

Both of these methods tend to make you that relaxed you fall asleep. This can only be a good thing when you are stressed as things always feel better when you've had a good nights sleep!

I used both of these methods to get me through my A levels. One of our teachers taught us these relaxation methods and I've swore by them ever since.

Good Luck.

[Gower]

Indeed these methods are quite good. You could get a relaxation tape to guide you through it to. Don't worry, nearly everyone goes through exam stress
If you haven't already maybe you should read the thread about exams in the great hall

[Alice I]

These folks have given you some good and interesting Stress busters but I am a little concerned about your weight loss.
If you are naturally slender and have not changed your eating habits yet have lost weight then I would strongly recommend that you see your doctor.
Stress can be very harmful and it seems to be affecting your metabolism. This is not a particularly good sign.
If you are already slender then you probably can not afford to loose much so if you drop any more weight please seek medical attention quickly.
We do not want to loose you.

[Athena Appleton]

Okay, what Alice said...

AND

pray
go for a jog
get someone to brush your hair, using slow, rhythmic strokes
play a cd of a rainstorm
listen to soft music
turn off the noises (phones, cell phones, tv's, etc.)
call a friend

This ones a little weird, but it's one of my favorite. It does require some planning: Make sure no one is at home, so you aren't interrupted. Run a bubble bath with your favorite smelly bubbly stuff. Turn off all the phones (this is important. voice mail's amazing). Fix yourself a drink (I drink coke, but any favorite works fine, doesn't have to be alcoholic). Throw a pair of socks, undies, and a t-shirt in the dryer and turn it on while you're in the bath. Soak for as long as you want, reading if you want. Ice cream is nice, too If you like a little background music, soft piano music is great. Then when you are done with the bath, dry off and put on the clothes in the dryer (they're all nice and toasty), then curl up and take a nap, or just read for a while.

More and more studies are finding that our daily lives are really adding to the feeling of stress we're feeling, so a few lifestyle changes may be in order and may do the trick.

Among the top problems: there's so much noise in our lives. Cell phones can be a great thing, but they can also be a curse. Turn it off for a while and let people leave a voicemail if they must. Watch your diet. While hamburgers and french fries taste good and are a nice splurge, they were never meant to be staples of a diet. A balance of complex carbohydrates, protiens, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and fats can boost your energy and ultimately help you to feel better. Unfortunately, if you're like me, the more stressed out you get, the less you eat and do the things that keep you from being stressed out.

If nothing seems to help, or if you continue losing weight, feel depressed, lose interest in things you once enjoyed, or feel overly anxious despite trying to relax, speak to your healthcare professional or call one of many hotlines available for people struggling with depression and/or anxiety disorders. If you feel like hurting yourself or others at any time, call 911 or your local hospital emergency room immediately.

[Phinea Rogue]

Thanks a lot for all the advices. Don't worry, Alice, you won't lose me, I don't understand why I lost weigh, but I'm trying to eat properly and hopefully that will make me look normal again. I'd rather prefer not to go to a doctor, she's always sending me somewhere and I'm sick of all those examinations (I've got a bit problematic blood, too high sedimentation or what and so far no doctor has found out why). I guess I really need to start to relax, but I can't put my mind off my thesis, I need to finish it as soon as possible, but my 'Serious Muse' has deserted me.