Mary Jaksch asks: What’s your best way of coping with stress?

Daily | October 17th, 2008 by Danielle LaPorte

The things you do to calm your nerves and cool your jets. Today’s question comes from a bonafide Zen (and karate) mistress, Mary Jaksch. Who, when she’s not meditating or wielding her black belt, heads up GoodlifeZen.com and is Editor-in-Chief for WritetoDone.com. THAT’s life balance.

Carrie says: For moderate amount of stress I go for a run, talk to my sister and feel better. For Intense stress I hibernate and sleep. Most importantly I give myself permission to be alone, ache, and return.

Danielle says: I cope with stress in two ways, in equal parts, with equal intensity. Step 1: retreat. Step 2: dial soul sister. I’d be lost at sea, utterly adrift and nutso, without my precious, loving, all-seeing, hilarious girlfriends. And because I’m so sonically-wired, it actually helps me to hear myself talk sometimes. I also find 70s rock highly tranquilizing. Nothing like some Led Zeppelin to put things into perspective.

Mary says: When I’ve got too much on my plate and feel strung-out, I go to a yoga class. All my worries disappear for a while when I’m trying hold a difficult yoga pose.

Get inspired! Read our interview with Mary!

Viewing 60 Comments

Constance 10/17/2008 04:53 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I listen to beautiful and soulful music. I talk to my cats and sometimes my kids or friends. I pretty much suck it up, too. Sleep and good food help, also. And occasionally I cry.

reply edit reblog flag

CarrieM 10/17/2008 10:57 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I am pretty good at sucking it up too, be the tough girl. Sometimes that's appropriate and most of the time I'm not being authentic about my experience.

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/CarrieM/ /people/CarrieM/following/

pearl_mattenson 10/17/2008 06:53 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I use all of the above AND I would add cleaning, organizing and rearranging my house. If the furniture is rearranged or we have a new system for keeping track of our incoming mail, it is a dead give-away to my husband that I am stressed!

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/pearl_mattenson/ /people/pearl_mattenson/following/ http://www.pearlmattenson.com 603281365 in/pearlmattenson

Jess 10/17/2008 07:25 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Exercise is probably my number one. Or meditation. When I can't be in my home to do these things, I like being in nature...or I'll go to a bathroom stall and breathe haha!
If my boyfriend is around, I like snuggling with him for a bit.
Naps also help me calm down too.

reply edit reblog flag

debbierodgers 10/17/2008 07:30 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I usually retreat from the world and get into my bed - read, pray, sleep.

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/debbierodgers/ /people/debbierodgers/following/ 626875058 debbierodgers

Beckie Temple 10/17/2008 07:38 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I walk or pet my beloved dog, take a hot bath and zone out, watch a funny television show and laugh like a hyena, or call my best friend and chat. I also have a sign on my refrigerator that says, "BREATHE!"

reply edit reblog flag

kim 10/17/2008 08:10 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

long walks in the woods and sleep...

reply edit reblog flag

licarrit 10/17/2008 08:24 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Wait, You can cope with stress??...

Seriously, I try to find something that will make me laugh my ass off, I have a Robin Williams DVD that is vaguely narcotic-like when it comes to stress. I also try to remind myself that there have been worse things than (fill in stressful situation here) and just get on with my life.

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/licarrit/ /people/licarrit/following/

Kate 10/17/2008 11:55 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

That's one of the hardest parts for me - reminding myself that there are so many worse things and that even though I'm stressed or frustrated or angry or hurting, I am really, truly blessed.

It's so easy to get caught up in your own little problems and forget about the big picture. I work on this everyday but find it very difficult to keep that with me. I have to continually remind myself.

reply edit reblog flag

Wazzy 10/17/2008 08:48 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

If I am moderately stressed during the day I try to breathe deeply and focus on the moment itself, also sometimes I might call a friend to talk things through. If I am really stressed, I try to clear my schedule, head home, and get some good food, take a bath, and get some rest. Sometimes a movie that I have seen a hundred times helps to calm my nerves and make me feel safe and cozy.

reply edit reblog flag

Lisa D 10/17/2008 09:07 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I am that crazy woman driving down the road with tears streaming down her face, singing at the top of her lungs Yes, that's me. I cry while taking a lo-o-o-ng, hot shower - water heals me.
One call to my sister and life seems to have a better perspective - she prays with me right there on the line...
...and of course a chick flick with a huge popcorn - extra butter.

reply edit reblog flag

http://warmheartthickskin.blogspot.com/

Kirsty 10/17/2008 09:09 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Running or swimming. 10-kilometres on the pavement or sixty laps in the 25-metre pool. Pearl mentioned cleaning. I've been known to scrub tiles with a toothbrush when I'm really wired. But I try to keep that one under wraps.

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/Kirsty/ /people/Kirsty/following/

Leah Graves 10/17/2008 09:32 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I hang out once/month with 3 other very inspirational women. Just over a year ago we formed our little group and we call it Celebrations & Challenges. We work out life's challenges together and celebrate all that is going well. Even if one of us is very stressed there's always at least one thing to celebrate. It's become an essential part of my life. :)

reply edit reblog flag

http://onesnap.gather.com

CarrieM 10/17/2008 10:58 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

nothing like the girls to ease the journey.

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/CarrieM/ /people/CarrieM/following/

DanielleLaPorte 10/17/2008 11:36 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I have a Goddess group - our evenings are the highlight of my month!

reply edit reblog flag

0 /people/DanielleLaPorte/ /people/DanielleLaPorte/following/ http://www.whitehottruth.com 639856268 in/daniellelaporte

Ellen 10/17/2008 01:50 PM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Each Wednesday night, my best friend and I get together religiously for what we call Bible Study. This meeting consists of the two of us, getting together for dinner and drinks and laughing our asses off and talking about boys (we are both approaching 50....we never stop talking about boys, do we?). We call it Bible Study so no one else will want to come. And....it is quite helpful if we need to get out of a late meeting (glancinc at watch, "Oh! I've got to go to Bible Study! See you tomorrow!")>

reply edit reblog flag

Tammy_D 10/17/2008 02:16 PM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Bible Study! That is brilliant!

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/Tammy_D/ /people/Tammy_D/following/

weezie 10/17/2008 09:41 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

For a few minutes before I get up every morning, I lie in bed thinking about what the day holds, and how to make that all go smoothly. My daughter says that not dealing well with stress is one of my biggest faults, so I do all I can to avoid it. And avoidance is how I relieve it as well . . . I'll curl up with an escapist novel or go bake something.

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/weezie/ /people/weezie/following/

mary b 10/17/2008 09:55 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I'm with Carrie. Running, especially on trails, is almost always a good solution for me. My Monday am runs with a friend and our dogs in Pacific Spirit Park help keep stress at bay, and a solo run when stress hits. Talking to friends and family comes close tho'.

Meditation comes into play when 3:00 am comes along and the stress bug hits.

reply edit reblog flag

Elvira Ryder 10/17/2008 09:58 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

When stressed out, I self-care. The higher the stress, the higher the degree of self-care. At the most basic level, making sure I am well hydrated, fed and rested helps greatly, then I layer on from there. Mani-pedis do wonders for me for light stress, as will a 30-minute back massage. Working out helps to lift the fog and brings me back into my body. I also reach out to friends I know will make me laugh. And when all else fails, dancing naked to some rip-roaring rock n' roll always does the trick.

reply edit reblog flag

Ellen 10/17/2008 10:07 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

go Danielle! Whole Lotta Love is my sweetheart's ringtone on my phone!

I return to my spirituality to cope with stress, big or small. Although I do admit that sitting down to a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movie with a glass of red wine does wonders.

My not-so-best way of coping with stress is food. When I am stressed I am RAVEONOUS.

My sweetheart suggested another way of coping this morning - that I spin off another personality, like my clients do!

reply edit reblog flag

Rushmi 10/17/2008 10:31 AM 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I go for a run or a walk along the river near my place. I pray for calmness...it'smore like meditating for clamness. Then I pick up the phone and call my BFF and vent. If all else fails, I have great sex with my hubby and all the stress melts away. My hubby hasn't figured it out that I just use him for his ability to destress me!

reply edit reblog flag

Daily

Mary Jaksch asks: What’s your best way of coping with stress?

The things you do to calm your nerves and cool your jets. Today’s question comes from a bonafide Zen (and karate) mistress, Mary Jaksch. Who, when she’s not meditating or wielding her black belt, heads up GoodlifeZen.com and is Editor-in-Chief for WritetoDone.com. THAT’s life balance.

Add New Comment

Viewing 60 Comments