Nausea, Stress & Anxiety - How to Combat it?

[Simmy]

So I basically work two jobs: I run my own marketing/design small business, while also working as what could essentially be describe as a 2IC in my dad's family business doing audio visual design and installation. Essentially it's sales, but there is some technical know-how involved in orchestrating and developing integrated AV solutions for education and corporates.

On the side, my creative juices have me composing music with artists both national and international while I also do a little bit of story-telling. I guess you could call that my therapeutic relief (along with sport of course!) from the trials and tribulations of long hours, running one business while also somewhat running another (and likely taking over when my dad retires).

These two jobs combined have often left me working 10+ hours days (especially lately as work continues to pile up) which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I sometimes find myself defeated by the pressures of constant upkeep. Running two businesses, things sometimes go forgotten and/or overlooked and I often find myself easily stressed/bothered by the slightest things when this sort of thing tends to happen.

I guess my ultimate question is: what do you guys do to combat stress? I'm on my way to 25 which I know is obviously still very young, but for some reason I find myself piling on all this unecessary pressure and anxiety when I'm faced with something I a) struggle to maintain control of and/or b) forces me out of my comfort zone. And I'm starting to feel it ever more so now with my increased roles and responsibilities. It's certainly one of my biggest flaws and while in the face of a customer, I do as all great salesmen are taught to do and apply a brave and confident smile, the minute I'm back in the office and I realise the calamity of what's involved, that feeling of disquietude comes right back.

So what do you guys recommend? How does one best deal with the feelings of anxiety and general nervousness and how can one turn what is considered a negative emotional feeling into a positive?

 

[Adam]

Umm I think what you're talking about there is perfectly normal. That's the first thing, as labelling yourself with anxiety can become a self fulfilling prophecy.

I ran the science dept this at my school (1500 pupils and 15 staff) and for the first time I noticed the effects of stress in what is a job that's impossible to complete within a 50 hour week.

3 things that helped me:
Go to the gym and lift weights in the morning. I can only fit in 30 mins about 3 time a week but it helps
Get organised, outlook calendar sync to phone using to do lists, not trying to keep it all in your head
Diary in social times and don't move them

Hope that helps unfortunately and slightly ironically I have a meeting to go to

 

[ZooCrewDude]

Read the below link (ignore the outdated politics of it, and just enjoy the message).

http://www.theguardian.com/news/oli...14/may/21/everyone-is-totally-just-winging-it

I shared this with a VP where I work and he thought it was just the best. So try to remember that as composed and collected as those around you appear; they're likely along for the ride just like you are at times. Keep it in perspective.

Don't be afraid to say 'no' professionally, when its appropriate. It looks like you've got a lot on your plate, and if you're not prepared to consistently work 10 (or likely more) hours a day then you need to re-evaluate what you've got in front of you. Step forward and ask for/find help, as hard as that can be for a motivated and self-reliant professional.

When you aren't working, shut it down. Turn of the phone or leave it in a drawer when you get home. As a generation we're so plugged in that we can't separate. Turn of notifications from your work email when you get home and when you go on vacation. Find ways to stay busy after work that aren't work related. When I sit on my ass after a stressful day, I find that don't mentally leave work. Go for a run/hike/bike, grab a drink with a friend on weeknights.

And no matter how stressed you are, never stop eating and sleeping. Its all normal and healthy as long as you continue to manage it and maintain a healthy awareness of it.

 

[Lee]

 

[Frank Reynolds]

Got to burn off some steam Simmy.

I have a degree in psychology, and one of my professors fought a court case in which a woman claimed her personal trainer on health insurance and won.

He demonstrated that the effects of physical exercise had a significant impact on her serotonin levels, and they won the case.

 

[Simmy]

Read the below link (ignore the outdated politics of it, and just enjoy the message).

http://www.theguardian.com/news/oli...14/may/21/everyone-is-totally-just-winging-it

I shared this with a VP where I work and he thought it was just the best. So try to remember that as composed and collected as those around you appear; they're likely along for the ride just like you are at times. Keep it in perspective.

Don't be afraid to say 'no' professionally, when its appropriate. It looks like you've got a lot on your plate, and if you're not prepared to consistently work 10 (or likely more) hours a day then you need to re-evaluate what you've got in front of you. Step forward and ask for/find help, as hard as that can be for a motivated and self-reliant professional.

When you aren't working, shut it down. Turn of the phone or leave it in a drawer when you get home. As a generation we're so plugged in that we can't separate. Turn of notifications from your work email when you get home and when you go on vacation. Find ways to stay busy after work that aren't work related. When I sit on my ass after a stressful day, I find that don't mentally leave work. Go for a run/hike/bike, grab a drink with a friend on weeknights.

And no matter how stressed you are, never stop eating and sleeping. Its all normal and healthy as long as you continue to manage it and maintain a healthy awareness of it.

Love this part in particular:

We chronically "compare our insides with other people's outsides". We're all mini-New York Timeses or White Houses, energetically projecting an image of calm proficiency, while inside we're improvising in a mad panic.

That's just a great quote. Thanks for everyone's advice - it seems that the general consensus and most effective method of levelling out stress is to dedicate a portion of my day to walking/running/gym work. Which is ironic, because it's probably the one aspect of my life that's been consistently missing over the last 3-4 months (which more of less, parallels the time frame that this all started).

It seems it's also really just about mind-set. Building mental character and strength in order to manipulate the way we feel internally. At least that gives me a starting point!

 

[Bill Walton.]

Drugs.. Lots and lots of drugs..

 

[Coyote850]

Find a hobby that you love. Sports, movies, find a little bar that is stress free. You are way too young to not enjoy being young. You have the rest of your life to be a stressed out, phycho.

 

[Otsego Mar]

Meditate

 

[Adam]

The only other thing i want to mention is stress is a physiological condition in its extreme cases. its not always mind over matter and sometimes you have to except its happening but realise it will go once you have got through whatever is bothering you. Its not forever

 

[gourimoko]

Travel...

Traveling relieves stress for me. Even if it's just to go out into the woods, to the beach, or to some place I haven't been. I used to sit under Diamond Head mountain near the beach late at night, smoke a square, drink a lil' bit, and just chop it with a friend..

Speaking of friends.. casual relationships.. Nothing stressful, and nothing that takes too much energy or commitment. I'm not talking about a girl that has expectations of you calling her everyday; I mean a girl who is living her own life, but someone you can call, grab a drink, see a movie, fuck, and then move on until you guys need each other again.

Being married now has essentially eliminated these two forms of stress relief.. Lol.. But.. it has brought others.

Family is always good too.. I miss hanging out with my brothers, even my mother.

Going to start sailing when I get back to Hawaii.

Everything I do in my life outside of working and studying is designed to bring me a much stress-relief as possible. It's what allows me to keep going.

So I know exactly where you are coming from.

 

[Huber.]

I'm pretty sure @David. can sell you some stuff that gets rid of emotions.

 

[FiveThous]

To piggyback what @gourimoko just said a tad. I didn't even travel but I did go canoeing last week. (A first for me). Once I learned how to paddle and was just gliding on the water, I felt 5 lbs lighter. It was a very zen feeling. So much so that I am going again tomorrow morning.

 

[Kbiz]

Growing up, I never really was stressed as a kid. Had a good upbringing, lots of friends, excelled in school for the most part. It wasn't until these past 5 years that i really had to learn how to manage my stress and anxiety levels. I lost my father to pancreatic cancer when i was 23...that was a game changer. I remember growing up and thinking, "losing a parent would be the worst thing but that'll never happen to me." and it did. This was also during the time i had successfully transitioned from college living to a typical 9-5 lifestyle so lots of changes going on in my life.

First thing that helped me was realizing that this is, in fact, a stressful and sad time in my life. I had to come to grips with all the feelings i felt first and then look for positive, healthy ways to combat them.

Work in an exercise routine (probably the best contributor to my mental health), plan things that you can look forward to (makes all the work you do worth it), smoke a bit of that herb (we all got our vices), but most importantly, learn to appreciate the little things. Try and find a peaceful moment of clarity each day. Continue to put things into perspective and remember to count your blessings regularly. IMO, life can always be worse. As a wise man once told me,

 

[The Oi]

Basketball used to be the biggest stress reliever for me. My joints have just completely fallen apart over the last five years, so I can't handle the beating anymore without getting hurt. I have completely cut it out, which sucks.

Anything I can do alone for long stretches, with zero interruption are relaxing for me.

Now the biggest stress relievers for me, in order are:

-Running. I especially like running through more challenging paths out in the woods. It's particularly stress relieving when I take my dog. There's something about having my dog with me that makes everything better. One day, my kid will go with me but he's a baby now and it's a PITA pushing the stroller and where I can go is limited.

Running on snow while it's snowing out is my favorite. More to look at and more of a challenge. Running in the rain is great as well. Feels very refreshing.

-Yard work. Cutting shit down, moving heavy things around and mowing are all great. Get a small sense of accomplishment out of each task, get a little exercise in and zone out.

-Yoga. Only hot yoga, only in a group setting and with music. When I'm by myself I get bored. Being able to look around at hot in shape chicks with nice asses packed into those yoga pants multiplies the enjoyment exponentially.

I get very little relaxation out of laying by the pool or beach. My mind starts racing the second I sit down. It's just not in my personality, the same as golf and weed never have been. I need things going on around me, need to constantly be achieving goals and I need to be immediately good at things or my mind will go to horrible places. That destroys the relaxation.