what calms you

Oh For God's sake, what are you on about ?

I can't be doing with this nonsense.

Somebody asks how others cope with stress. People offer some tips and SirChenjin quite bravly brings medication into the conversation.

What on earth is the point of saying " I don't suffer from stress"

It sounds smug and lacking empathy.

I used to find knitting relaxing too. Maybe start up again.
As I wrote on another thread, DD1 is worried about her job future, and I've always tended to share her worries more than those of our 2 sons.
Who have had similar problems
I would like to have an on/off switch when it comes to worries.

Hetty - the OP specifically asked “how do you cope with stress?” which was an invitation to others to post about how they cope with stress (which is normal for them). If you don’t get stressed by anything and therefore don’t have any suggestions because it just doesn’t affect you then gfp is right - why comment?

Knitting, reading and listening to music, but mainly being in my own surroundings.

Oh I didn’t say what calms me, sorry! Half a Valium tablet.

A walk, a hot bath, regretfully, a cigarette (if I'm very anxious and upset), a glass of wine, singing, listening to music.

No Hetty58 - gfp was having a pop at Gabriella there.

^My teaching colleagues always knew when I was stressing over my forward plan, when I came in with lots of homebaking.
Plenty cakes, but no forward plan^

You do make me giggle Marydoll! Talk about displacement there (or should it be procrastination?)

I’m a bit of a worrier. Not much (luckily) but health issues do spook me - waiting for test results etc. Fortunately, as far as I know I’m in good health. But still.

I think it’s a learned response. My dad died at 47y after 18 months illness with bowel cancer. I was 22y and pregnant with our first child. I went to pieces.

I read once that a mother can only be as happy as her unhappiest child. I’m a softie and I have found that, over the years, to be true.

When I’m anxious I don’t eat. I love food but I ‘shut down’ if I’m stressed.

You can tell I’m happy these days, I’m plump! (Oh dear, I don’t want to hex things).

grapefruitpip, we comment because the question assumes that we all have stress, like somehow it's normal, therefore we need 'calming' strategies!

Ginger buns sound good.

Yes baking...and eating the results of that activity.
Jam tarts, warm scones ? apple pie, ginger buns, seed cake...mmm, delish.

The TV film of Pride and Prejudice

A variety of things:
Listening to music
Going for a walk
Bird watching
Baking
Reading
A nice soak in the bath

Walking for me but when I bake I have to be calm otherwise it all goes horribly wrong!

My son has a lot of health issues and my job is extremely stressful so my strategies are;
Walking with my dogs - I live in the North East so I am lucky to have a stunning coastline!
I read.
Music and a long hot soak in the bath.
I'd like to try meditation but struggle with it.

I'm not a stress head, I deal with problems as they come. I'm not a worrier by nature I just get on with it.

Reading I guess. I'm inclined to get a sort of floating anxiety. Not about anything in particular. Just butterflies in my stomach.

Getting on with jobs helps a lot. And I will do that now.

Cats you can't beat having a purring cat on your lap very soothing.

If you are calm and in control all the time, why would you comment on this thread I wonder?

I like yoga, a walk, a dressing gown morning.

I find knitting very relaxing. The rhythm of the needles just backwards and forwards lulls me. Of course if i am doing a complicated pattern it could be another story until i get the hang of it!!! lol

My teaching colleagues always knew when I was stressing over my forward plan, when I came in with lots of homebaking.
Plenty cakes, but no forward plan. .

Before my painful hands let me down, I also used to make jewellery, it was so relaxing.

Marydoll My mother always did that. We always knew when she was stressed or upset as a Victoria sandwich cake would appear.
Myself, I like quiet and warmth. And knowing everything is done ( for the moment anyway)

Like GagaJo, I used to find sewing was relaxing (I don't know about calming, I'm rarely irate enough to need that)
And, strangely enough writing letters, by hand, and making the writing beautiful - not quite calligraphy, just nice.

All these other things: hot baths, going into the countryside, or to the sea, reading a book, walking, looking at the stars and much more that used to make my life worth living have all gone with the eyesight. And music would irritate the bejangles out of me.

So it's probably as well I'm too thick to get stressed very often.

Except when the ATM eats my cash card

Baking, I find it very soothing.

I do not really stress but if I did it would be a cup of coffee, an early night and a good book to read.