Managing stress without food - what a concept!

I was enjoying my second day at work (really!) and came home feeling great after a massage (a reward for a successful one month post-op).  Then came the reality of my DM.  She is 87 yo with dementia.  Although I have two DBs, I live in the city and take responsibility for managing her care. I love her rmadly but she is showing some unpleasant new traits. To make a long story short, she is being very difficult to the point of paranoia at times.  My mom is in denial about her ability to manage finances.   She is seriously stressing out her caregiver and threatening to fire the bill-payor.  Her real complaint is that I am taking over her life.  I understand her concerns but every time she touches the checkbook, a problem follows.  I am planning to talk it all over with her this weekend, and hope that we can come to an agreement.  . 

Enough of the back story.  The real issue for me is how to maintain my sense of calmness and boundaries with this drama.  I have a lot of responsibilities in addition to my mom, and have only so much in my emotional reserve, especially after my recent WLS.  In the bad old days, I would have ordered Chinese.  Not an option now, and for that, I am thankful. 

I would love to hear from others about how they manage their stress now that overeating is not an option.  I have to admit that just posting this helped a bit!

Thanks.
Amy 

Sorry you are dealing with this stress.  I hope you are able to come to a solution to help the current situation.  My grandpa suffers from Alzheimers and it is very devastating to watch, I can't imagine the stress of dealing with managing his care.  Kudos to you for taking such good care of your mother.

For me just putting it out there helps so much.  Either talking, journaling, posting etc.  I do much better when I don't hold things in, which is my usual MO.

I know there are lots of things that people do. 
Call a friend
Journal your thoughts
Go to the gym
Listen to your favorite CD
Take an exercise class such as yoga that is relaxing
Craft
Read a magazine, article, blog, book etc
Take a relaxing bath
Indulge in your favorite hobby
Write
Meditate
Pray
Take a walk
Aromatherapy
Organize
Post on OH
Paint your nails


Good luck finding something to ease your stress.

Bless your heart....what a challenge!   I DO know that turning to food is no longer an option...you don't need to add a huge STOMACHACHE to your list of stressors!

Brittany gave you an AWESOME list of distractions...personally, when I'm stressed- I read a book or watch one of my "taped" shows on TIVO....it kinda takes my mind to another place.
I WISH I was one of those people who could turn to EXERCISE but unfortunately I am not!

Also, try PRAYER!  I don't know if you are a spiritual person but I find comfort in the fact that I can turn EVERYTHING over to GOD!  I will definitely pray for you...you have a lot on your plate!

PS...as far as your WLS journey, you are doing FANTASTIC!!!  You are gonna feel so great in a few weeks, you'll feel like you can conquer ANYTHING!!!

Hang in there!

I miss my comfort food and found posting here and crying has helped so much. I AM NOT A CRYER! I have ALWAYA held everything in and nevr let anyone into my head or emotions ( yes wicked childhood but not the time for that) I do not know why I chose to take to this but sometimes in the shower (alone) I just let loose, man oh man has it helped me. Just a suggestion, I like all the above ones too and I just joined the gym again so now I get to take my stress out on weights LOL

I work out to relieve and even prevent stress. For the first two weeks of a regular exercise routine, it is hard, you are tired, etc. But after that, it is an amazing stress-reducer, endorphine booster, the list goes on. I started getting up at 4am or earlier and work out hard for 1-2 hours. I am almost never stressed, and I feel so good. I also lost weight really fast. I almost feel crappy on my days off. Also, if I do have a bad day, I'll hop on the treadmill and take a 30 minute walk and it makes it all ok. Anyway, enough of my preaching lol (I just got done working out right now, so I'm full of energy). 

I go to Curves a couple of days a week and that keeps my general stress level down but my main stress reliever is to head to the barn.  Working with my ponies takes my full attention and I can moan about anything else. Plus there is no food there.  I know that isn't an option for everyone, nor would everyone enjoy it, but it works for me.

Thank you, my friends. I feel better just knowing that I was heard. I had a long, emotional soul talk with my mom last night, and I think we made some progress.

I really like all of your suggestions! I used to meditate - maybe it is time to take that up again. Exercising has also made me good. Unfortunately, I have been dealing with a stress fracture in my knee. I have been doing some isometrics and arm waving. I see the ortho doc this afternoon. I am hoping that he will order PT and release me for the elliptical. I also love to read but sometimes I get so keyed up that I cannot settle down. I might try the crying in the shower if I am feeling off the charts!

I know now that I can always come here, and that means a lot to me.

Thank you again for being here for me!
Amy