How I Deal With Stress
Yesterday I posted a very passive aggressive meme on Instagram. It's not like me to be passive aggressive, I've always taken pride on being direct, honest and full on aggressive if need be. But yesterday I was really stressed out at work, blame was being put on me for something I didn't do, and I was told that this specific manager was waiting for me to mess up on something. I'm not friends with this person on any social media, so there is no way that my passive aggressiveness message will get to her.
But yesterday, more than anything, I wanted to go to an hour long zumba class, followed by a 5 mile run. Unfortunately, my schedule didn't allow it. Instead, I rewarded my stress with food and singing really loud in my car. I also might have accidentally singed up for another race...
I say rewarded with food, because stress makes me think of ways to take care of myself, and in this case, the only thing that was going to hold me together was melty cheese and warm bread. I went for the boli!
In the past, I used to beat myself up about stressful situations, my thoughts ran to "you suck, you are the worst, you are awful". But I have given up those thoughts, they were not helping me and they were causing damage. Now I turn to thoughts such as "how can this be fixed? What is the next step to get this resolved? What can I do differently next time? and What is the next race I can sign up for?".
Part of the healing is also blasting music on my way home and singing as loud as possible to random songs. Not always angry songs, sometimes super happy merengue music, Latin Rock or random greek music.
At end of the day, an issue with a file or a report doesn't matter. There is many who wished to have half of the comforts of my life, I'm not going to be ungrateful and claim that a file audit or a report are the end of my life.
How was your beautiful Tuesday ?
What do you like to eat when you are stressed?
What is your calming distance?
I say rewarded with food, because stress makes me think of ways to take care of myself, and in this case, the only thing that was going to hold me together was melty cheese and warm bread. I went for the boli!
In the past, I used to beat myself up about stressful situations, my thoughts ran to "you suck, you are the worst, you are awful". But I have given up those thoughts, they were not helping me and they were causing damage. Now I turn to thoughts such as "how can this be fixed? What is the next step to get this resolved? What can I do differently next time? and What is the next race I can sign up for?".
Part of the healing is also blasting music on my way home and singing as loud as possible to random songs. Not always angry songs, sometimes super happy merengue music, Latin Rock or random greek music.
At end of the day, an issue with a file or a report doesn't matter. There is many who wished to have half of the comforts of my life, I'm not going to be ungrateful and claim that a file audit or a report are the end of my life.
How was your beautiful Tuesday ?
What do you like to eat when you are stressed?
What is your calming distance?
That's great that you've found a way to let go of those types of negative thoughts! It's not easy to do. Singing loudly and working out are 2 of my coping methods as well :) And the comfort food sometimes too.
ReplyDeleteComfort food is always the most delicious thing! Thanks Chaitali!
Delete" I've always taken pride on being direct, honest and full on aggressive if need be." <----- LOVE THIS QUOTE FROM YOU. I am sorry you had a stressful and sucky work experience. Work stuff can be very frustrating especially because we can't always say what we want to say because... well, it's WORK. I'm glad the cheesey bread and loud music helped you unwind.
ReplyDeleteIf I am stressed because I am busy, I try to hit things head on and accomplish as much as I can right away to alleviate the to do list. If I'm stressed because of something out of my control whether it be work or otherwise, I really try to just not think about it and distract myself with other thoughts... like true crime blogs.
When I am stressed from students at work, I have to MAKE myself be calm and patient and remind myself that these kids that are stressing me out... they are someone else's WORLD and someone loves them with ALL of their heart, so I better be a good teacher.
See, that's why I admire teachers so much. Whenever kids are being kids, you are all able to keep a straight face and keep on teaching. You are doing work that matters!!
DeleteI'm so sorry that the work situation is stressing you out. I'm glad you have a good handle on it.
ReplyDeleteI get stressed when I feel overwhelmed!
Thanks! I feel most stressed when I can't control something... it's weir, I know!
DeleteIronic we were literally just talking about these situations when we met up Monday. Sorry your Tuesday was crappy. the week is super dragging and it makes it so much harder that it is SO nice outside.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to tell us what race you signed up for? I hope today is better. Definitely don't need the haters and I am all about a food treat for stress some times too. Are you able to get a run in today?
I know! and it was the exact same person who was driving me crazy!
DeleteI signed up for the Run day race, a 5k in super high heat sounded reasonable when I was mad.
I still let those people get under my skin. One of my physician partners is Jeckyl and Hyde, and on Tuesday, He bit my head off. He's sarcastic and he's nasty. Sometimes. Other times, he's charming. You just never know who you're dealing with at any given moment. I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does. I treat everyone with respect and I expect it in return.
ReplyDeleteoooh!! that sounds like a horrible situation! I'm sorry you had to go trough that Wendy! Yes, I completely agree with you on expecting respect back!
DeleteIt is so difficult to not react. SO DIFFICULT. I'm forever trying to find a balance between self control (not drop-kicking them in the face) and not stuffing my emotions down and burying them. Posting a post on social media is just fine, especially since the offending person isn't on it!
ReplyDeleteYes, very fine balance!! I would love to see you drop kick somebody in the face!!
DeleteOh man, I relate to this so much. When I am hurt or angry, I usually am outright aggressive too! I don't like to be PA. But in my new job, I've found I really have to learn to swallow my anger and by conciliatory. I hate it sometimes!
ReplyDeleteI have when people are passive aggressive... I tell them to just come out with whatever it's bothering them! it's easier to just know right up front! but I have learned that sometimes people don't know what really is bothering them.
Delete