Figuring Out How to Handle Stress

[crankyoldman]

My life is pretty full of stress right now.

It can be safe to say that I've never really slowed down much since I got into college, and while that worked alright when in school, what with scheduled breaks and all that, I seem to be unable to figure out how to completely relax anymore. And frankly, it's not been particularly good for my health.

I was debating signing up for some of the great community classes they have around here for relaxation (yoga, tai chi, apparently low impact ballet even) but I seem to have missed the cut off on all of those. Looked around at local yoga studios and while some of them have well-priced (well for my budget) introductory new student rates, they also sharply spike up into a range I can't afford. And I'm still ridiculously shy about religious organizations, even the friendly Buddhist and Unitarian ones in the area.

It's not that I need a class necessarily, but that doesn't hurt; having something that I am obligated to go to that will force me to stop worrying about everything would be good for me. But I could just as easily do something on my own if I had people to check in with (to you know make sure I did it).

I guess I'm just looking for ideas? Not that I assume any of you all are any less stressed than I am, but I am kind of worried about my health lately (which doesn't help with the LESS STRESS thing let me tell you). I feel a little lost right now.

Comments

[whitemage]

The SRSC and HPER classes like that, but I don't know how much membership is for nonstudents. Did you look at the gyms around here, or just studios? i think the one downtown offered various classes at one time?

Also, depending on the teacher, sometimes you can contact them about joining community classes late for a pro-rated fee. A few will do it, some act like you're a jerk, I have no idea what the "official" policy is.

If you just want an exercise buddy, I was thinking about getting back into yoga, tai chi, or low-impact pilates--destressing outlets would so not hurt me right now. We could maybe figure out a weekly session time or something? We could try one of the libraries for DVDs.

<3

[crankyoldman]

omg that sounds wonderful. Yes. I can so do that with you. Library DVDs would even work (I'd feel silly doing it by myself in that case). We should figure this out.

Also I'm past like getting a benefit out of most of the classes (apparently beginning of October is when everything started), so it wouldn't be worth it.

And I haven't looked at gyms. They kind of scare me? XD

[whitemage]

They just annoy the piss out of me. It's hard to concentrate with that many people around. (I am Aries intense with strength-training and high impact exercise. XD)

Library DVDs it is. I can check IUcat and see if we have more availability than MCL. If I don't get back with you soon, just bug the hell out of me. (This week... omg. So much to slay. And I'm out of town Saturday, fyi.)

[seventhe]

I highly recommend yoga. It's definitely possible to self-practice too -- but if you've never done it before I'd recommend going to a studio initially (on one of those intro discount rates) because alignment is very important and also very hard to get from a YouTube video. Once you have a feeling for the poses, though, it's really easy to follow on your own, and I'd love to set something up where we could make each other home practice! (I need to do this a lot more.)

[seventhe]

and Yoga Journal - which I subscribe to - has a TON of awesome videos and the like online. Some free and some very very affordable. :D

[crankyoldman]

Yeah, there is a studio that is like $30 for beginning students for 30 consecutive days which is like, a block from work. I will couple that with doing some exercise with Ardy and hopefully calm the fuck down. After I get some intro though I would LOVE to do some home practice setup with you!

I mostly just need to schedule like, Calm the Fuck Down time. I think this is the path to this. XD

Yoga Journal sounds awesome, I'm on that.

[thene]

Whatever you choose to do, exercise_every_day is a good comm for encouraging regular activity.

Aside from exercise, being in parks or exhibits can be pretty relaxing imo.

[darcenciel]

I actually wanted to get into yoga, but I couldn't afford classes either. So I checked out a book from the library and bought an exercise mat, and I'm doing it at home. I'm just doing the beginner exercises of course but it's quite fun and relaxing.

[pacifica]

definitely yoga. try a few different forms (dvds are a good start) and see what you like. relaxation yoga might be more your thing, i lean towards more active yoga, but it all helps.

on the flipside for me, drinking helps :P (only sort of joking... which is sad)