Best ways to deal with stress without using food to soothe?

I had the day from hell today, the day from hell!

Now that I am almost 7 months post op I can eat more so using food to comfort myself has become even more of a temptation.  I am ok at home as I do not have any junk, but that does not mean I won't eat just out of comfort, even if it is healthy.  What do you do when you are super-stressed?  How do you cope and what works other than food?

I have a short list of what works, I just have to remember to do these things rather than panicking and turning to food.  Here goes:

- cognitive behavioral charting or my thoughts and feelings, then try to sort out a plan for each of them

- long hot bath with Epsom salts and essential oils

- beauty treatments like a home facial or manicure, or just taking care of my body in some way

- exercise!  It helps a lot to work out vigorously when I am stressed.  Weight lifting is awesome to get stress out of the body

- pets: snuggling, petting, grooming, playing with my pets always helps me feel better

- guided meditation:  I have an app I used to do a 20min meditation, it really helps, I often fall asleep though.

- nap: taking a little nap snuggled up with my dogs

- snuggly clothing: wearing something soft or snuggling with a soft blanket can be very relaxing

- reading a good book, losing myself in the book takes me away from the stress

- cooking something healthy and yummy for future meals

- having something to drink, like tea or sf drinks, decaf coffee.  I find it breaks some of the stress down.

- clean/organize something:  helps me feel powerful and that my actions can make a difference

- call someone:  sometimes a nice long chat can really help put stuff into perspective

- have a good cry:  just letting it out can really help you get past what is bothering you

- watch a good movie or tv show:  get lost in it for a little while

What do you do?  What works best for you?  Anyone else out there feeling super stressed? I would love to hear about it.

I love this list. Thank you for sharing it.

Glad you like it 

I'm sorry you had the day from he'll! But I'm soooo glad you posted this list. Now, if I could just figure out how to bookmark it for MY ready-to-chew-the-wallpaper days! 

Thanks!

Thanks Zizzler.  I have taken a pic with my phone to file in my cravings folder on my phone.  Hope today is better for you.

That's an awesome idea!  Today was a huge improvement but I am starting a cold so that is rough.

I have many lists, I just have to calm down enough to remember to read them. Actually just writing the list was super helpful to me, I was way calmer afterward.  

Great list (and I also do several of those) and I'm sorry you had such a ****ty-stressful day.

I use a lot of different techniques mostly dependant on the situation, general work stress being the biggest and most pervasive.

- Be proactive. Do as much planning and preparation in advance as it takes to help ensure organization. Being organized is KEY for me (both in tasks and in my thinking).

- Start the day peacefully. I get up at 5 each morning so that I have time to "do what I need to do" without having to ru****ake all my meds and vites and then enjoy a couple of cups of good coffee while I come here to OH to read/respond, post my menu, get in the mind-set of being organized and relaxed.

- Feed my body. Plan, prepare and pack healthy snacks and lunch for my long day at work.

- Organize the day. I check my previous day's "to do" list for remnants and start a new "to do" list for that day before starting anything else.

- Clean up. I plan/schedule "office/work space clean up/clear out" time at least 2x per week. Organized work space = organized mind.

- Leave work with a clear mind.  I go over the day's "to do" list and ensure I make note of things that weren't completed for the next day. It's written down so I can leave without worrying that I'll forget to do something.

 - Plan to forget at least something. If I suddenly have an "oh **** I forgot to do that" moment, I send myself an email at work as a reminder. Then I can forget about it, knowing it's on my radar the next morning.

- Wash the day off.  After a particularly busy/stressful day I take a shower when I get home to "wash the (day/work/stooped people) off".

:)

I love your list Karen, really great ideas.  Like you I already do some but not others.  Starting the day peacefully is not something I do often at all, only on weekends sometimes, but a really great idea. Also behind on cleaning at home and work, it can really add to stress, so true. Your idea about washing off stupid people is really good too, going to use it.

The stress from disorganization is real. My mom once gave me a book that I enjoyed called Does This Clutter Make Me Look Fat (or something to that effect) and it focused on organized spaces leading to organized eating and vice versa. Interesting theory.