What do you do when you're stressed??

[mellie4]

I have a really bad habit of spending money I shouldn't when I feel stressed.  Earlier in the week when I was getting bad news about people I care about every time I turned around, I could feel my anxiety mounting.  I went out to get my dad a birthday present and ended up buying things I shouldn't have.

I bought my dad 2 outfits for his trip to Arizona in October (if he's able to go.)  I also bought my boyfriend 2 outfits just because they were on sale, and last week when we went out to dinner he had a really hideous shirt on.  I bought a few things for my son (that he desperately needed.)

I should have stopped there.  Nope.  Bought myself a designer handbag because it was originally $498 and was marked down to $150.  (I have a thing for bags.)  Then I bought myself a new dress, a shirt, and 3 pairs of sandals.  This was so unnecessary as I NEVER even go out anymore.  

(Last week I bought new bedding for my room for my birthday present to myself.)

Does anyone else do this?  I am on such a limited budget and there is no way I should have spent this.  I have decided to reign myself in and write down every little penny I spend and try to budget better.  (The dress is really gorgeous, though.  Just need to go out somewhere nice to wear it.)

[jamlws]

I don't go shopping when I am started but I do eat more, well not right now cause it hurts to much. And if i get really bad news I will clean like crazy. With me being off work money is really hard right now so going out and spending isn't something I can do. im the type of person that won't buy stuff for myself if I do I want to return it cause I feel so guilty.
Jamie

[Sarajmt]

Oh gosh, sometimes it seems I stay stressed.  Shopping therapy is always helpful but really hard on the budget.  On line shopping works just as well if I can't get out.  If I can stand on my feet longer than 15 minutes, I like to cook.  If not I cuddle in a blanket and watch a movie with the lights our and a couple of candles.  And I always have to remind myself to breathe.   I've created a bunch of play lists on UTube.  I listen to those as well.

I tried to go back to jewelry making so  I spent way too much and got new supplies (I'd given them away a few years back) and a ton of pearls and other semiprecious beads.  I used to be able to knot pearls all day long and now I can't seem to do it right.  And that causes more stress.  My daughter and I both used to like to take long walks but that's out for me now.  Oh well.

I really hope you find a way to relieve your stress.  It will make you hurt so much more.
Sara

I hope you find

[flower12345]

When I'm stressed, I like to watch movies with my husband and relax. I tried knitting--I spent $250 on supplies...and COULDN'T teach myself even though I bought many different do it yourself books.

I also meditate and shop--which is not necessarily a good thing, because I spend too much too!

Flower

[runitskat]

I sleep when I'm stressed. I buy things when I'm bored. I should turn both of these into positives and work out or something but that's not fun haha.

[designgyrl]

I don't have much money but will take 20 or 40 dollars and go to the casino and play nickel slots.  By the time I've driven there and lost the 20 dollars and came back home, it's been a few hours.  I also like to do crossword puzzles when I'm stressed.

[RunningMom]

Geminigirl, you can come over and be stressed at my house!  I just love to eat too!  That is a downfall of mine.  It was fine when I was running, and I could run it off.  I have a teenager who would help clean up afterwards. :o)

[geminigirl1963]

Unfortunately, I tend to overeat when I'm stressed - or at least eat the wrong things.  I do really enjoy cooking, so quite often when i'm stressed, I'll try to do some "experiments" in the kitchen.  I'm happy to say that most of the time, my experiments actually turn out quite tasty!  I do find that cooking is a way for me to relax.  I have a really hard time standing for long enough to prepare anything, so I do most of the preparation while sitting at my kitchen table and then, of course, I also sit while whatever it is is cooking, but I still enjoy it.  Now, of course, if I could find someone to come in and do the clean-up for me afterward, I'm sure I'd enjoy it even more!!!  LOL

[RunningMom]

I meditate.  It's the only thing I can do now.  I use to be able to run the stress off.  I'd have my best and fastest runs when I was super stressed out.  I'd come back feeling like a million bucks!  Now I can't run, I've turned into meditation.  I absolutely LOVE to meditate.  I wish I could do it everyday, but since the kids are home from school I don't have time.

[mummy3too]

I had a friend who did this and then she returned everything - it was a way of relieving stress.. The back of her car was always full of bags. She would buy something, return something, get a credit and shop again.

I used to do a llittle shopping to relieve stress, but it now hurts too much to go walk through the stores...

I took up knitting.

I now have about 30 scarfs and 3-4 blankets... and many, many, unfinished knitting projects.