What Do You Do To Relieve Stress (If You Don't Have Any Real "Free" Time)?

[auburnchick]

What do you do when you are feeling ultra-stressed?

Work and school have me ultra, ultra stressed right now. Every term, I think that it's harder than any other before, but this time, I KNOW I've got the hardest term. I got through my four-class term and managed to pull a 4.0. This term, I'm only taking three classes, so I thought it would be easier. Wrong-O! I have two 20-page papers to write, and two book reviews...on top of the regular reading assignments, discussion board topics (online class participation), and exams. I will not drop a class because I want to graduate in March, which leaves me only one term after this one in which to take the three classes I have left.

Work is so crazy right now, and I'm only part-time! I'm an IT specialist, and I've been seeing some really weird computer problems.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::sigh::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::

Two highlights are: 1) I just got to knit my part in one of the Oddball Blankets. What a wonderful break from my school work. and 2) I'm participating in the Wonderland Swap...my first swap.

Thank goodness for KH!! Thanks for listening...

[KnittingNat]

Well, first of all - i yell at my DH, that's very relieving . Just kidding . When i had my degree, i worked part time too, so it was pretty crazy and many times i had papers to write and i would sit in front of the computer and stare ar it for ages. So, to relax i would watch a nice movie with DH or just take a break and go out for a dinner. You can't study all the time, that's for sure. A nice relaxation for me is to play with my pets or even just watch them - it's like National Geographic live in my living room .I wish you a fast graduation.There's nothing like having some free time after you graduate!

[iza]

For me, a good way to relax is to go to the public market to get my groceries. I love to try new things, smell fresh produce, getting new ideas for cooking dinner, chat with those who work so hard to give me fresh veggies and fruits. I can't really explain it, but for some reason it brings me back to what's essential in life and my level of stress goes down. I guess it's because when I'm stressed, my world revolves only around work work work, and I tend to forget the rest! Am I weird?

[Mariblue]

I knit.
But I keep it simple. If I can just sit and do some nice stockinette for 15 minutes or so, then I'm ok. I like a good stockinette sock.

[AngMac]

I take a long hot shower and then sit and put on a favorite movie and knit. Just doing something to pamper yourself for a couple of hours might give you the stress relief you need.

[losnana]

I knit. Something simple, usually with worsted weight. I love simple ww socks, so that it often what ai knit to relieve stress.

[Jeremy]

This sounds stupid but... take a deep breath. That's what I do to relax when I have absolutely no free time. I'm always surprised how much better I feel just by doing it. The second thing is to realize that you can only do one thing at a time. Make a list and prioritize what you have to do. Decide on a project and alot an amount of time to it then forget everything else you have to do. Easy to say, I know, but its how I made it through law school in four years while working full time as a nurse. BTW, with a 4.0 average I doubt you have any serious time management issues.

[vaknitter]

I just went through grad school so I remember stress well. At that time I did not have a hubby or 2 pups so I would turn off all the lights, put on a great CD (my choice was usually organ music) and turn it up so I could literally feel the music and just concentrate on breathing.
Now that I have a hubby and 2 pups I take time to walk the dogs 2x a day and go to bed early so that I can read or knit with a CD on in the background.

[auburnchick]

Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions! I will have to try to incorporate a bit of non-school, "me" time...at least a few minutes every day.

I guess I'm just a bit anal...gotta get the best score, fix the problems, etc. If I can let go of a bit of that, I would be a lot better off.

One thing that was truly wonderful was working on the charity blanket. It helped me to remember that there are more important things, such as helping people, and that focusing on those things are what really count in this life.

[KnitClickChick]

I like to take a nice hot bubble bath, then curl up with a good book or put on a good movie and knit. But I guess that takes time....