How Do You Pamper Yourself When You Are Stressed Or Depressed?

Thursday, 06 August 2009

How Do You Pamper Yourself When You Are Stressed Or Depressed?

I'm sure everybody has been overwhelmed by work or other personal matters (unless you're an extremely optimistic person) at some point in their life. But when it comes to managing their stress, everyone seems to have their own way of dealing with it. Some people deal with it in a healthy way, while others partake in unhealthy activities, such as overindulging or starving themselves (I've realized a lot of girls tend to do this).

When one of my close friends was recently feeling down, I came up with a pretty good “technique” to help her feel better, and apparently it worked! What I did was simple. I told her to jot down the things that she likes or would like to do, and suggested that she should do them whenever she is stressed or feels depressed. I also wrote down the things I like to do, which I would like to share with you guys! Hopefully, it'll help you as well, and plus I think this is a healthy way to keep you girls from overindulging on all those unhealthy foods!

(1) Calling your friends and just complaining about everything that's bothering you
(2) Getting a manicure or pedicure (Nail Salons are like heaven to me)

(3) Shopping!!
(4) Getting a new haircut or changing your hair color (Something that can spice up your looks)
(5) Taking a nap
(6) Reading your favorite book(s) or magazine(s)
(7) Renting movies and either watching them with your friends or by yourself (Sometimes it's better to watch it by yourself since you can just choose whichever you like)

(8) Taking a warm bubble bath
(9) Working out at the gym, or going out for a jog
(10) Writing letters to your friends or family
(11) Writing in a journal

What does your list look like? Any more ideas??

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Comments (42)

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Don't get stressed or depressed! Depression is stress imposed on one's self.
- 8/6/2009 9:48 PM
- rodneyderksen@xanga (message)
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I go for a drive with the music up loud and drive to the river, and then just sit there and watch the seagulls play.
- 8/6/2009 10:05 PM
- trickery19@xanga (message)
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Running or vigorously playing the violin.
- 8/6/2009 10:08 PM
- xa06@xanga (message)
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I make sure I take care of myself really well when I know I'm stressed - like during exams. I get lots of sleep, make sure I eat healthy foods and work out almost every day.
If I'm looking for specific things to do, here's my list:
Go swimming
Read a book
Go for a run
Cook a nice meal
Treat myself to an expensive kind of fruit (like off-season cherries!)
Turn up the music and dance in my room
Bake cookies
Go shopping (I don't even need to buy anything)
Spa day with my girlfriends
Call my boyfriend
- 8/6/2009 10:28 PM
- TheLoveMuse@xanga (message)
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RUN.
always works for me.
- 8/6/2009 10:39 PM
- JoeytheGenie@xanga (message)
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I usually just blast my favorite music into my ears. Using headphones so it's as loud as possible.

Probably not the best idea?
- 8/6/2009 10:43 PM
- shoutxlies@xanga (message)
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i always write in a journal...it's good for dealing with all of my emotions in general.
going to the gym is one of my fav de-stressers...i feel FAB afterward!
i used to be a binge-eater, but now i try to relieve stress in a healthier way
shopping and books/mags/movies/tv are also nice too, to get my mind in a diff place
- 8/6/2009 10:49 PM
- choosingausernameishard@xanga (message)
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I eat lowfat chocolate, listen to my favorite music, exercise to lose the tension (I like running), have a long shower with my favorite body wash, sit in the sunlight or use my light box, have a nice prayerful time with God, and/or shop for pretty panties. (I like that I don't have to/cant try them on, just pick something that looks pretty and comfy and buy it.) I also draw a lot and that helps in a major way.

After doing two or three of those things I'm usually feeling much, much better!
- 8/6/2009 10:59 PM
- DistantStarlight@xanga (message)
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The few I would add to the list would be:

1. Listening to music on an mp3 player outside closer to nightfall, when the breeze is blowing (music preferably something soothing, like norah jones or jack johnson)

2. Doing a quick face mask, I have a tub of pumpkin jelly type stuff from Bath and Body works that I leave on for 10 minutes, or a tube of lavender white lotion stuff from I think Walmart that stays on for 15 minutes. Either one is aeromatic and helps releave stress, and because they are tub/tube form, there are tons of applications worth.

3. Use a frozen eye mask with herbs such as lavender in it, especially after a day/night of crying

4. Baking. Though the results aren't always the best for the figure, baking helps me releave stress, and the house smelling yummy!

5. Take a Yoga/Tai Chi/Stress Managment class or course through the community or a local area

(I could add more, I'm going through a divorce and am primary parent to a 3 year old, so there's lots of reasons for me to de-stress!)
- 8/6/2009 11:09 PM
- ElidabitAimStuffin@xanga (message)
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i take a warm shower to relax myself or sleep!
- 8/6/2009 11:12 PM
- marshmellowTM@xanga (message)
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when i'm stressed, i try to think of something pleasant that I could do later that day, it could just be a relax evening in front of the TV or trying out new restaurants.
- 8/6/2009 11:17 PM
- blueheaven7s@xanga (message)
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shopping :)
- 8/6/2009 11:27 PM
- s_h_a_sha@xanga (message)
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writing in a journal, listening to music, jogging, and chat with a few good friends. :)
- 8/7/2009 12:50 AM
- smonki@xanga (message)
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I eat. Preferably cookies.
- 8/7/2009 12:52 AM
- nineteen80sixx@xanga (message)
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shopping and sleeping... :) definitely.
- 8/7/2009 2:25 AM
- momo
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- cook myself a great meal
- take a long, soothing shower
- wear nice clothes
- listen to music
- write/rant
- and maybe talk to a friend who's willing to listen
- 8/7/2009 3:36 AM
- mZdejavuZ@xanga (message)
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I paint my nails or dye my hair. Listen to all my favorite songs. Bake. Stargaze. Read novels. Write.

I occassionaly will take an aromatherapy bubble bath with candles and soft music. I have to be really depressed for that though.
- 8/7/2009 4:40 AM
- xXx__Nicole__xXx@xanga (message)
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Pray, and sleep.
- 8/7/2009 4:49 AM
- FreeeVerse@xanga (message)
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Good chic flick - Shirley Valentine, Mama Mia or a Jane Austen and a bar of chocolate or some such comfort food.
- 8/7/2009 8:36 AM
- Umnenga@xanga (message)
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Exercise, draw, write, surf the interwebz, have sex, cook, make jewelry, do some other sort of artistic activity.
- 8/7/2009 8:48 AM
- methodElevated@xanga (message)
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drive a car that can handle and go through all these turns at night chyeah!
- 8/7/2009 10:28 AM
- e4st0n_5ynth3sis@xanga (message)
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go for a walk, use my foot massager, listen to music, sleep, stretch/workout,meditation
- 8/7/2009 11:58 AM
- officialfckn_LG@xanga (message)
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Find a human punching bag!
- 8/7/2009 11:58 AM
- o0msxmichelle0o@xanga (message)
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Work out, get a mani/pedi, take a hot shower and wash with lavender scented soap. It really is a soothing scent!
- 8/7/2009 1:10 PM
- DarcKleer@xanga (message)
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-Grocery shopping & cooking
-Retail Therapy-Gym -Sleep-Watching my favorite T.V. shows and not caring about anything.
:)
- 8/7/2009 2:22 PM
- SoHoian_NightOwl@xanga (message)
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