Ulukai on 24/7/2007 at 20:25

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SMASHING THE BALL AGAINST A WALL. Or, as they will insist on callling it around here, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_(sport)) Squash ¬¬

Never fails to make me feel loads better. You do need knees that work reasonably well, though.

maxmon on 24/7/2007 at 22:05

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Playing video games :cheeky:

Scots Taffer on 24/7/2007 at 23:50

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I've cut down on the stress that comes from my job by deliberately getting one which involves very little.
The stress of being a lone family (albeit with some friends who help immeasurably) can sometimes get a little tense, however the fact that we are a family and love each other etc, very often allows us to skip over that hurdle pretty easily.
Other than that, the only other stresses in my life are manufactured ones that are created through internalisation:

- A feeling of never stopping/catching up; I'm always doing something and there's always a million and one other things that I probably should be doing. Hence a feeling that I'm more or less always behind, when really, I should just accept that life is a continual cycle of "doing stuff" and just keep my head down and do what I'm doing, letting the next thing crop up naturally.

- Addictions, like poker; I was finding one of my primary hobbies also a source of stress, poker is a great game and a lot of fun, sometimes, when you get a little bit addicted the fun ebbs away and the grind-mentality sets in, hence I was wasting a lot of my relaxation time in a totally bad frame of mind. No more!

Still, little stresses crop up from time to time (just now, for example, my daughter is in the feverish grip of a bad teething spell and it makes her very, very irritable and is accompanied by much crying, which can be a stress) and the best way to deal with those is to do whatever it is that relaxes you, for me it's cooking, watching a movie or a good tv show, maybe playing a computer game, or chatting with friends. Of course, sex is a massive relaxant.
I try never to get angry but of course, it's inevitable. When it does, I get angry and LOUD, but never violent.

charlestheoaf on 25/7/2007 at 05:33

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I'm pretty laid-back myself, but things do certainly get to me at times.

There are a lot of things I do to relieve stress, but probably the most important is to learn to simply not get stressed about everything, especially the little things, because they happen the most. If it doesn't have a significant bearing on my life, I tend to simply ignore it (at least to the point where it doesn't affect my mood).

Also, physical activity is a good way to relieve stress. I like to push myself physically, be it running, jumping, weights, calisthenics, or more gymnastic activities. I used to ride freestyle bmx, but haven't lately due to injuries and a stolen bike. These all are a great outlet for stress, and can be extremely satisfying when you improve.

I've also been stressed about dreams of being mugged/assaulted/robbed lately (I'll wake up sweating and fearful), and have been studing fighting, and doing what I can to train myself to defend myself. This is becoming a very satisfying physical activity as well, not to mention easing my mind about the dreams.

Shayde on 25/7/2007 at 06:23

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I find swerving and knocking over a small homeless child or puppy to be very therapeutic.

Or a candlelit bubble bath.