first part is doable, not sure about the love / sex part though, i'm single

Just don't look at your fingers or the soles of your feet, you'll think that you've mutated into a frog after soaking in your own juices for an hour and a half.....

I know how it feels now falling into this kind of situation, but life can't get any worse after all (note to self too)

feels good though

Take all those things apart - remember that at any one moment you only have one thing to do, one thing to accomplish - not many. Problems arising tomorrow can be solved tomorrow, just as problems that arose today were solved today. You are the most important person in the world. You are only able to take care of others by taking care of yourself first.

Take a very slow, very deep breathe and realise that you've come this far under your own steam - you'll go the rest of the distance just as well. Realise also that things will get better, and then get worse again and you'll cope with both just fine.

Techno used to do it for me all they way, till i started being a techno producer, now it feels stressful everytime i'm in the studio (if i ever have time of course)

when i was 20 i had a baby and was leaving my ex. it was rough. i started capoeira and yoga vigorously to get myself moving and do something. it helped to kick things and it helped to breath deeply, most of all it helped to move around.

finding something to get involved in will redirect all that- then the laughter (and the sex) will come... good luck!

Great advice, i used to always think in such a positive way as i always had my life under control, now i think i'm starting to get very stressed as i feel i don't have control over my life...though, looking at your post again, it just reminds....what's the worst thing to happen, if it all falls apart, it can be all rebuilt again, i've been there and i got over it many times (guess the older i'm getting, the more sensitive i am to changes)

A bath with aromatic oils - or failing that - a really hot shower playing on the back of my neck where the tension is. Very relaxing.
Then a hot cup of tea......the cure for all ills.

There are some really nice messages here that come from the heart

I am actually drinking tea now

Indeed, i were feeling so down when i posted this afternoon, now i feel better talking to people i don't know and never even met before.....human nature is just incredible

Kind of nice huh ?
Good night y'all

(Note: Mowvich seems to have had a bit of a rebound since I started composing my reply, but I'll post this anyway in case it helps...)

My heart really goes out to you both. I understand that what you are talking about is more than just day-to-day stress that can be relieved with a hot bath to gain a bit of perspective.

Since Mowvich asked, the only advice I can think to give is that if you think your feelings are the result of things that are happening in your life, it can be enormously helpful to talk to a therapist or psychologist to help you sort out your feelings and problem areas, and help you get your life back on track.

However, if you are constantly feeling stressed or out of control for no obvious reason, there might be some underlying medical problem, in which case a psychiatrist would be a better bet.

I think people often know if their negative feelings are due to external or internal factors, but if you are in doubt, visit your GP. If they think you need psychiatric care, they can refer you and you'll be covered by health insurance. If it seems like you need psychological counselling, they can also advise you accordingly. Regardless, don't be afraid to ask for help.

When I was in my PhD program I was so stressed I got to the point of having panic attacks as soon as I got in the vicinity of my workplace, and I was literally not able to sleep at all. It was only a trip to the university counsellor (on the advice of a friend) that finally caused me to sit down and take stock of my life, and come up with a strategy for dealing with my situation and formulating an "exit plan". I really don't think I could have done it on my own.

Anyway.

With sincere best wishes,

Heather

I just wanted to add that yes there could be biological factors such as diet
if you are like me you dont eat right when you are stressed out and that makes it worse
I thought of some things that could help you as the following
1) get a check up, take vitamins and take care of your body
then
2) take care of your soul somehow, music yes, making it listening to it
I play piano and it really really helps, or listening to music that calms you down , bob marley
3) yoga or meditation on a regular basis
i am finding that it is important to find a group
4) you mentioned you were single, i dont know about you but i always
need having something or someone to take care of
i am a parent but besides that i have a dog
if you like plants get some but take care of something
then somehow that takes care of yourself too because by giving we receive
5) spiritual practice
i have a book that is called " there is a spiritual solution for every problem " by Wayne Dyer, i agree with that
"THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF THE DAY IS THE AWAKENING OF THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF HUMANITY TO THE DIVINITY WITHIN"
Hazrat Inayat khan
The fact that you are going through a crisis is great
because it means you are aware you need something in your life
what is it ? it is a search process, go with it , not against it

I personally do not believe in psychology or psychiatry which makes you depended on drugs or outside forces
i do believe in spiritual guides
i attend lessons once a week and in the past tried eastern philosophy
keep trying out things till you find out what works for you
go to a book store and start reading about yourself and your mind and heart
read poetry always
become aware of yourself
and dont forget to look outside too :

Today i saw a man on the bus, he had torn clothes and looked very very
lost , i felt so bad for him but realized i can not do anything for him really
but i knew he was there so i can appreciate that if i ever think my situation is bad i can be grateful i can take care of myself and others
and live a decent life

I am sure if you look outside you can find someone like that too
perhaps drinking too much or very lost
and yes, definitely try volunteering to help those less fortunate than you

(as for sylvia plathe, Not a good exemple, a great poet who has made a very bad choice . )
Peace light and love

Hey, it sounds very urgent, I hope you can find a relief soon. I'd have myself checked if I felt so overstressed, really, get a physical (your heart's ok now?) and consult your worries with your GP, maybe get a referal to a good psychologist? Sounds like you are burning the candle at both ends, running on empty. While partying can "feed" you energy for a while, makes you postpone dealing with issues, they surely do hit you later on. I am sorry things are rough, when things are hard, I always look for a cause to see how I can work with it, rationally: procrastination is my major stress, the best is to attack the most scary task in little bits, baby steps, but every day. Overtiredness or not getting enough physical activity leaves me feeling helpless. Anxiety over things I can't control. While there are things we can control and we don't even know it, it is good to lose that desire to plan/control/design all to our liking. Life's a bitch, sometimes, flexible people have it easier. Separation might be depressing, since people see it as a failure, at times. Re-label. Being lonely is a major stress. You may be happy about being out of a sucky relationship, some people are not happy when they are left to themselves, though, especially if they were used to being with somebody, taking care of somebody...Enjoy your freedom, but hang out if it gets hard, surround yourself.

__________________
"L'homme ne peut pas remplacer son coeur avec sa tete, ni sa tete avec ses mains." J.H. Pestalozzi

“The only difference between a rut and a grave is a matter of depth.” S.P. Cadman

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." A. Einstein

Isn't it the other way around? If you can do something about it, no need to stress as you have at least some element of control. If it's out of your control, then there's nothing left to do but sit and stress. =P

Neurofeedback and Biofeedback i use, excellent tool for de-stressing, also deep breathing

How dirty you think she is?

A good way to cope with stress (20minutes today): nude cleaners

"Quite often the people asking for our services are busy business people who want to relax. Watching someone clean your house in underwear is a nice way for them to relax"

PS: can be equally applied to men and women.