Hi Lisa,
It is sad that we can not avoid all stressful situations. I too had issues with stress. I have let go of all stressful situations in my life as much as i can. Job, X-husband, kids in college instead of home etc.
But there will always be something stressful. Even the lady at the checkout counter who wants to give you a heard time when you give them a discount card. Or the long lines at the gas station. I don't hold much in. I now let how I am feeling known to those who come to me baring stress.
People say exercise and stretching can help you great deal with stress. I exercise and i have to say it does help..it conditions your body to handle stress better. But it doesn't rid the problem completely.
One thing i have learned to do and practice more eash day, is,, letting go of the situation. If i'm in a long line and there is nothing i can do about it,, i change my thoughts to something more pleasant. Did you know the car traffic has a sound of the ocean water??
If a situation comes about the, first thing i tell myself is calm down. Most people would not know i'm having a panic attack or about to fall apart because i don't show it. Once i start expressing stress, it comes to haunt me. So I tell myself to stay calm. I can do only what i can and the rest is not in my control,, so i let it go.
If I have a lot to do one day and i know i'm feeling lupie then i just take my time and get things done when they get done. I don't worry about the rest. I cant over extend myself and expect to be up to par the next day. Lupus doesn't work that way.
Sometimes i just have to stop.........re-evaluate the situation, compare it to how i am feeling. Sometimes i just have too stop and do something that makes me feel good something that makes me relax. If that means, sitting down for a cup of coffee in the middle of cleaning, then so be it.
If i dont feel like doing the bills that day,, i don't. If i'm tired,, i rest,,, if it takes me all day to get it together then so be it.
Even when my husband or family ask me to do something. I tell them it will all depend of how i feel that day. Nothing to do with what i want,, but what my body says it can do. After a while they understand that.
Its a conscious effort to stop and reevaluate your feelings and the condition of your body. Once you know that fact, you can make better decisions .
I hope this has helped you.
Take Care