Stress Reduction Techniques for Every Day Events?

[ILADVOCATE]

What are good ways to reduce stress knowing our particular triggers that set off difficulties or moodswings? One thing I do is keep things organized. Keep a bulletin board, calendar and lists of what I need to do. Another thing I do is schedule phone calls if I feel stressed so I am not talking to one person after another if I am not up to it. Or not plan on too much in one day but do have a set series of goals for the day that is a reasonable amount. And not let things pile up but keep track of them. Such as the fact that keeping track of writing checks and the like is almost impossible for me but with a computer program like Quicken I can enter them. Since part of bipolar is having trouble organizing and keeping track of things during hypomanic episodes that's one easy thing to accomplish. Or before recovery when I had difficulties with people, agreeing to go to events but knowing and asking exactly who would be present so if I had difficulty coping with a certain person I'd be prepared. Or if I have no idea brainstorming with other people (such as I am doing now).
What would you add? What works for you?

[dippy1]

My P.nurse put me on to guided meditations. I have several on my MP3 and lie down and listen to one when I need to relax...they work well. I even bought a special one for kids to go in my son's Christmas stocking and he uses it at bedtime to help him relax!

[aadel]

I like your list.  Needless to say, I too let things pile up. When the pile grows too tall, paralysis sets in.  (That's the reason why I am once again 2 years behind with my income tax.  I have a large cardboard box stuffed full of receipts, but the thought of tackling it drives me to desperation.)

I would like to add one item.  Venora suggests meditation.  That's great for those  who have the wherewithal to do it.  In my case, ADHD prevents me from holding still for any length of time.  So I have been practicing a simple technique described by Eckhart Tolle in "The Power of Now."  He calls it making yourself aware of your "inner body."  Essentially, it consists of calling up the feeling of aliveness throughout the body.  Since it can be done any time, any place,  I can practice it repeatedly.  I find it especially helpful when I am facing a difficult situation or person (like the make-it or break-it law suit that will determine whether I can keep as roof over my head).

By the way, the Tolle exercise is not religious in nature.  Otherwise I would not bring it up here.  

All the best!  

[LeftCoastChick]

I'm just like bulldozer, almost identical. If someone throws a wrench into the proverbial mix, I'm thrown off.

I was going to an app't today, and because I was nervous, I asked a friend to go with me. We share a cellphone plan, which is great, she gets concerned for my safetly when I'm out. BUT She's moodier then me by far. She mentioned getting the web as an add-on to the plan because she wanted to get ring tones. I made a suggestion that she goes to our provider's website and get them sent to her, it's cheaper. She blasted me, said I was critizing her. My jaw dropped.  I looked at her and just said, "go home, you are just making it worse for me. I can't tolerate you being overly sensitive". Then she lashed out saying I was BP and I should talk. I looked  at her again and said go.  I walked away, I just can't deal with moody and emotionally unaware people in my life. I am doing really well at managing my moods and how I react.

Anyone else have little patience for bullcrap?  

[bernie40]

I also try not to have too much going on in any one day or any one week.  I space things out and always give myself at least 2 days of the week to myself when I can (not possible during school holidays).

A good friend reminded me of the need to remain flexible within my routines to stop me feeling bad when I wasn't able to do planned things.  I think having the 2 "free" days does mean that if I've had an off day and not done things I wanted I can move those things to one of my "free" days, if that makes sense.

My family understand that if things get too noisy, too stressful I will go up to my room for an hour.  They understand that this isn't because I am cross with anyone but because I need to "reassemble" myself.

I hate being taken by surprise or too many problems being landed on me in one go.  This is often unavoidable with a family so I have learned to "shut-off" when I'm feeling particularly vulnerable.

Tips definitely welcome!

[Venora Moonwind]

meditation really helps me keep on track and destressed. I am pretty organized for a bi polar but I can relate to Jennie about getting agitated when someone or something gets in the way of my plans,
For me it is most important at the end of the day to destress all the  **** of the day out of my head. I take a bath and I imagine all the the stress going down the drain with the bath water. I feel so much better then . Then if I still have a restless mine I write in my journal and get it all out of my head on to the paper. Sometimes I burn it and that puts it out of my mind permantly
Love Venora.

[hunnyjennie]

I also try to keep organised...yes try It doesn't always work but I feel that if i stay ahead of the game and on top of things I am less likely to get stressed.  The downside to this is that if something gets in the way of my plans or organisation I don't cope to well and become really agitated.  I have managed to make coping lists for days when I can't even decide what to eat, as then I don't have to think I can just go into auto pilot mode.  If I am not coping with a situation or feel that I may over react...I try to call  my best friend if she is not available then I try to calm myself down, carrying out breathing techniques and some quiet. I try to get some fresh air if I am at work.  Although in saying all of this there are times when I simply do not function although for me it has been a while since i was last like that.  I too would be interested to hear from anywaone with any more tips.