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hereinantwerp
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 1:35pm | IP Logged
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Hi--I get stressed too easy and I need to do stuff to calm myself down and get "grounded" during the day. So, I thought I'd work on a little list of things to do--qualifications are, it has to be something you can do with all your kids awake and present, to calm yourself, get perspective, and de-stress!
So, here's what I do so far--
Turn on this cd
Bach Goldberg Variations
Pet the dog
Try to take a step back and pray (though of course it's easier to do that when it's quiet!)
So--I could use a few more "tools" in my kit--
What do YOU do??
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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JenniferM
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 2:25pm | IP Logged
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Angela,
I will be watching this post for I too fight this same battle. 
I have found taking a moment to recollect my thoughts helps. Yes it is easier said than done. I will go into my bedroom and shut the door for a minute. I will say a quick prayer. Also, Crazy  as it sounds sometimes, if I am having a REALLY bad day, I will bury my face into pillows and scream to release the stressful energy.
I know you said "it has to be something you can do with all your kids awake and present, to calm yourself, get perspective, and de-stress!" but taking a moment out to de-stress is priceless
One more thing- Exercise has helped me tremendously. I walk for as long as it takes to say my daily rosary. This is only done when my DH is home. But these walks in the evening or early morning helps with the current and following days activities.
I hope you are able to find something that works. You are in my prayers. 
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Jennifer
Mother to John (9) and Ean 16 months
my Blog
Home Sweet Home
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AnaB
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
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I put on some piano/instrumental hymns (I LOVE Fernando Ortega). I light candles and dim the lights. I pray and try to read some Scripture with a cup of tea or coffee.
I think it would help me to go for a walk, at least when dh is home. But I feel very vulnerable walking by myself. I've always lived in Miami, FL and it's not uncommon to hear of assaults and the like. I should not be controlled by fear, especially since I serve such a big and mighty God, but I also think we need to be wise.
So, these are the things I do to de-stress. I have also been known to go to the grocery store taking a detour through the Starbuck's drive through and enjoying my coffee in the parking lot with a good book or my Bible.
This is a great question!
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His By Grace, AnaB blessed WIFE to Jeff and mama to 4 blessings!
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 3:33pm | IP Logged
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I...
-clean (don't know what it is about cleaning something)
-change tracks, as in, get up and start something a bit different (often leads to the first point  )
-play competitive sports- not something you can do with your children (except in the summer my kids come and cheer me on...they can't do that in the winter as it is in the middle of the night). I only play once a week, but boy I let off some steam!
-make time for prayer on my own or as a group
-slip into the bathroom and breathe for a bit
-send half the kids, or most active child at the moment, off to read, knit etc. This usually calms down the scene and helps with my stress
-I remember that I can't do it all (don't remember this often enough)- I will never have a tidy home, a gorgeous meal, the perfect hs day all on the same day. I am human, and so are my children...
Good Question!
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 5:18pm | IP Logged
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A cup of hot mint tea works wonders for me!
An afternoon protein-based snack helps keep me calm too--especially when the stresses of the day leave me in need of a pick-me-up.
And prayers to Saint Joseph!! I don't know why exactly, but he has become my personal patron when I am in need of patience!
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Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 5:32pm | IP Logged
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Going outside, even just in the backyard, really helps me calm down and unwind.
If everything is falling part, I also will stop whatever we are doing and sit and read to the kids. We all enjoy reading, and it is a good, quiet break and time to regroup.
Prayer, of course, along with both of the above...
and, I have to admit, a few chocolate chips goes a long way for me 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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missionfamily
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 5:43pm | IP Logged
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hot tea, protein, lavendar hand lotion, the memorare, heading outside
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Colleen
dh Greg
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 5:46pm | IP Logged
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Okay, this post title has put a R&H song in my head. What do I do when I'm stressed?
"I whistle a happy tune,
And every single time
the happiness in the tune
convinces me that I'm not afraid...."
Doesn't completely apply, but I couldn't resist.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Martha
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 6:27pm | IP Logged
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I clean!
I'm a person of action.
I cannot stand to not DO something.
Anything, as long as I'm not just doing nothing while the axe is being sharpened. I hate that feeling.
If nothing else, I'll die with all my veggies sorted and stacked appropriatly in the pantry.
Actually.
My house could use a good dose of stress right aobut now.
This is the longest I've gone between pregnancies and it appears my housekeeping skills have been rather dependent on my previous nesting impulses. 
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Martha
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Yes, they're all ours!
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marianne
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 6:31pm | IP Logged
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Cleaning something, getting on the computer and unfortunately, EATING.
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Leonie
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 6:38pm | IP Logged
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One of the things I do is remind myself to smile - and remind myself not to rush, that there *is time to do everything that God wants me to do. I find it harder to be stressed when I am smiling . 
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Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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Rebecca
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 9:19pm | IP Logged
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My life is rather stressful right now and has been for the past couple of years, unfortunately. I play the Glad Game ala Pollyanna a lot. I can always think of someone who is struggling with much worse than I am. There is always something to be thankful for, even during very difficult times.
Getting outside helps to brighten my day.
And a big glass of red wine has been known to work also!
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Maria B.
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 9:35pm | IP Logged
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Go outside and take a walk!
Call my friend who always makes me laugh.
Cuddle with one of my kids.
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Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
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hereinantwerp
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| Posted: Sept 26 2007 at 10:43pm | IP Logged
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great ideas . . .
Boy, I WISH cleaning made me relax!! I must be the opposite of an "action oriented person", as sometimes when the kids are unexpectedly and blessedly occupied I want to just lie down somewhere and stare in space and do----nothing!! But actually I am thinking thoughts and calming myself and tend to jump up 20 minutes later with a creative impulse, so maybe it just LOOKS like "nothing" . . .
I am reminded also that I miss my Belgian chocolate. I used to keep a stash of Cote d'Or bars in my underwear drawer and sneak into my room right after lunch and break off just two little squares . . . haven't found a good American substitute  !
I've been trying to take a walk most mornings (a friend told me this was the best thing for PMS!), a new thing for me who is totally not-sports or outdoorsy, and it's been great, but since I've been doing it the school routine has completely fallen apart  .
But another thing I forgot to add was--cooking. Not "dinner's in 30 minutes/throw something together cooking", but more when I have time to piddle away in the kitchen, being creative or cooking for fun. It's very calming for me, and we all enjoy the results .
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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sweetiesmom
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I need quiet. I find that when individual tasks stress me, I need to leave it and come back to it. Most of my stress during the day is too many things going on at one time. We school in the kitchen, so often I am baking/cooking, working on math, the baby is mobile and getting into things, the 3 yr old is screeching etc....
I turn off all other noise(radio, appliances)send the older kids outside(with food as an incentive sometimes), scoop up the baby and retreat to my room with the door closed. The kids know not to bother me unless it is a true emergency if the door is closed. Sometimes it only takes a few minutes to gather myself together, pray, maybe nurse the baby.
Driving stresses me too. I will turn off the music and demand absolute quiet from the kids(except the baby) just for a few minutes, if it's quiet I can easily de-stress.
I feel like I have become so much more noise sensitive in the last few years. I can almost feel my head spinning around when the noise level gets too much. Everyone jumping in and asking for something at the same time, the baby fussing. I can't focus my attention on one specific thing. It's amazing to me that I used to be able to function well in a busy restaurant kitchen focusing and multi-tasking while the noise level was sometimes very high.
sweetiesmom
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Lori B
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| Posted: Sept 27 2007 at 8:23am | IP Logged
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We don't take our walks at a routine time each day, instead we take a walk when it's "time", if you know what I mean
When we come back refreshed (and sometimes tired), a cup of tea and a read-aloud complete the de-stress therapy.
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22yod, 16yod (Asperger's), 14yos (dyslexia, APD, ADHD), and 11yod (JXG, glaucoma, legally blind)
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Stephanie_Q
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 10:10am | IP Logged
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sweetiesmom wrote:
I need quiet.
I feel like I have become so much more noise sensitive in the last few years. I can almost feel my head spinning around when the noise level gets too much. Everyone jumping in and asking for something at the same time, the baby fussing. I can't focus my attention on one specific thing.
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DITTO! Quiet and a cup of tea. If the weather is nice, I hustle everyone outside and sit on the porch swing. If it's too hot/cold or rainy, everyone goes up to the attic playroom.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: what do you do when you’re stressed?
