Question:
What do you find is the best way to calm your nerves when you arestressed to the max? (Self massage - since I can't ever get anybody to do

Answer: it for me...also, I like to design my web sites, e-mail, spend time withfriends, put on some music and do what I call art therapy...just draw whatcomes to mind on paper...pretty freaky art work, but helps. I also journalalot, go to support groups locally - NAMI and DBSA. I go to a couple of 12step groups. I do volunteer work online since I can't drive rightnow...makes me feel good and helps me to give back to society. I lovewatching some of my favorite tv shows, but sometimes too wired up to sitdown and watch, but it is soothing to just chill and watch. Deep breathingand pretty much anything in the holistic health. I was doing Tai Chi untilmy sciatic nerve started giving me trouble again. I think even with healthlimitations, the more activity, the better...even chair exercises. Gettingwith friends for a coke if possible. Getting out of the house if possible.Opening a window and airing out the house when it is cool. Time with pets.Hobbies, giving to others and helping others...anytime I can "get out of"myself...it helps me. Back to working the 12 steps...doing that helps me toknow myself and what makes me happy and what I want and don't want out oflife. Sometimes candles and I love new age music. In some moods, I loverock/classic rock, but if I am agitated, sometimes I can't do that. Talkingwith someone who understands would come number 2 after self massage. I usea tennis ball. I put it in the notted up areas in my back and shoulders andlean against the couch and let that ball work out the tension in my back.Another great thing I like to do when I am trying to feel better is make a"gratitude list". This is a list of the things I AM thankful for.Sometimes, I can only figure out 1 or 2 things to go on there...especiallyif I am in a panic...like a roof over my head, tv, pets, food, friends, atleast one thing about my health that I am not in the hospital rightnow...anything you can think of if only a couple of things...get's to tothinking about even though things are sucking really bad, so people have itworse...and sometimes "we" are the ones that are suffering the most, and weneed to be at least positive about a few things so we have hope to keepgoing.Just my opinion of some things that have worked for me. Figure out whathobby you like and maybe go online and meet friends who share that. Do youhave a web site like "myspace"? Maybe meet friends there or on the NAMIboards...wonderful people there.