[bshirt]

That's why having a cistern is even a better idea.

[mmasters]

One thing I haven't seen discussed here so I thought I would start a thread on it.

I think we can all agree the future will be very stressful and a different kind of stressful than we're used to. It wont just be stress from a hard day at work dealing with bad clients or office politics, it'll be stress from perhaps not being able to get enough food, from dealing with people acting like rabid animals because they think they are entitled to things above other people in a glut. It will be dealing with the general public unaware of PO, which for the most part will be completely screwed financially, psychologically, healthwise, securitywise and in many more ways. I particularly don't look forward to dealing with aggressive irrational people (as I'm sure I'm not alone). Although, I think we can be certain everyone wont flip out and go bezerk. People respond to threats to their paradigm and their survival differently. Some will be passive and wait for others to help them, others will take action and rob whoever has what they need.

Anyways, it could be stress from the fact we planned out things well, but then something comes along out of left field and completely messes up our plans. Or, it could be stress that bad things have happened to people we care about.

So I thought it would be good to start a discussion on ways people have found to deal with stress. Anyone have any tips, techniques, mindsets or whathaveyou to help mitigate stress, especially high levels of stress?

Just from living in New York I know a few basic things about stress. Eating healthy helps, having enough sleep helps, exercise helps, sex helps (though if you have a lot of things to do or know things will be stressful for a few days then it can be better to hold off sex for a little while). Then again I think this is just common sense.

[Heineken]

This is a very interesting thread topic, since extreme stress is something most of us can relate to.

Meditation is probably the most powerful tool for coping with stress. You don't have to be an expert or have a Ph.D. in meditation; anyone can do it. Basically you just sit quietly and close your eyes and think restful thoughts, or try to visualize something like a tree, a ladder, or a colored light. You want to go to a special inner place where you're safe and calm. In time, you'll develop a technique that works for you.

Sex can cause stress as well as relieve it, since it can involve you with people and all their baggage. The graveyards are full of people who died for sex. If you have an uninfected, safe partner you have reason to trust absolutely, sex can certainly relieve stress. (Masturbation is safer and also works.)

Perhaps the future will be less stressful, not more stressful, than what we have today. Trying to hold on to what we have, or get even more of it, is the biggest stressor, as I see it. No society could possibly be more stressful than the one we have now. Once you've lost what you're trying to keep, and are facing the actual prospect even of death, an odd calm can suffuse you.

Stress for short periods can sometimes improve your performance and help you achieve a goal, but over long periods it's a killer, a misery-maker par excellence.

[steam_cannon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mmasters', 'A')nyone have any tips, techniques, mindsets or whathaveyou to help mitigate stress, especially high levels of stress?

[steam_cannon]

Of course sometimes I feel the best way of dealing with stress is doing something constructive perhaps with some rock in the background, it's a nice way to get vengeance against the suffering one encounters. If you already aren't enjoying things, why not make things harder and do some work! At least you can enjoy the challenge!

Lord Of The Rings - Manowar - Call To Arms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIFmYnP_RDQ

All Along the Watchtower (fuck the system)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy3xC9gs9ww

[aldente]

Historically in the Western world sex and alcohol were (and still are to a good degree) the main go to drugs for stress relive.
In the near future you might want to refer to 'indifference', since neither of the above might be available in natural form much longer.

[Gerontion]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('albente', 'H')istorically in the Western world sex and alcohol were (and still are to a good degree) the main go to drugs for stress relive.
In the near future you might want to refer to 'indifference', since neither of the above might be available in natural form much longer.

[Battle_Scarred_Galactico]

I'm on "Bumpy Plateau Sex" at the moment.

[Chesire]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'J')ust from living in New York I know a few basic things about stress. Eating healthy helps, having enough sleep helps, exercise helps, sex helps (though if you have a lot of things to do or know things will be stressful for a few days then it can be better to hold off sex for a little while). Then again I think this is just common sense.

[BigTex]

This sounds crazy, but take a "news fast"; during the news fast you don't read, watch or listen to any news for a few days or more (if you can do it). Trust me, if anything really important happens, someone will tell you.

I took a news fast of one week last year, and it was an amazing experience. It's also harder to do than it sounds, especially if you are a news junkie like lots of us here are.

[benzoil]

I think an old Blues singer once said that the only two things a poor man has to console him are wine and women. This might have explained why he was poor (the latter will cost you for sure!) and had the blues.

One thing to think about is how the face of stress will change. Right now you hear much made about people not having enough time. Cell phones and soccer practice and long commutes and demanding hours in the office, etc., ad nauseum. That's a very different stress than having to walk 3 miles to the grocery store because there's no gas for private citizens this month.

In other words, some sources of stress may go away. The new sources of stress, however, sound more dire. How do I feed my family without a job? keep the house? keep the mistress (blues singers only)? fend off the zombie hordes (doomers only)?

What I'm saying is that right now people relax from heavy mental stress with things like exercise. If you spend all day planting potatoes, however, then maybe you won't be jogging later. The new sources of stress may, in fact, be more rewarding in a twisted sort of way. Why? Because they matter. Again, that's a strange take on it, but one that may have some merit.

[TheDude]

You need to have ample Proven Reserves of Sex, too.

Zinc? Is that what causes the sour/sweet/salty smell? Can you smell sweetness? Revealing too much here?

Music I use to chill with covers the spectrum, listening to Joni Mitchell right now. 24 hours ago though it was the Butthole Surfers and Husker Du, though. Odd bedfellows.

You're in Manhattan and you come to us for advice on stress? Did you get mugged by a Dalek or something?

Took me a few tries before I remembered this site has a problem with umlauten. Scheiss, thought I was banned for calling Oilismastery a moron...

[Grifter]

Feel a bit embarrassed to admit it but I find unpacking and repacking my toolbox or bugout bag to be a great stress reliever.

Tending the garden also helps.

[benzoil]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Grifter', 'F')eel a bit embarrassed to admit it but I find unpacking and repacking my toolbox or bugout bag to be a great stress reliever.
Tending the garden also helps.

[NEOPO]

I meditate to the following video Lateralus

Spiral out...keep going...

When the internets are down and the streaming videos no longer available I will sing this song in my mind...

Most people do not know what "high" stress really is, they simply believe that the higher levels they may be experiencing are "high". It is simply "high" for them thus I do not think many will manage very well when the real SHTF.

Sure driving is stressful yet try to imagine driving through a war zone and fighting for your life just to get some groceries..... yeah

[Grifter]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NEOPO', '
')Sure driving is stressful yet try to imagine driving through a war zone and fighting for your life just to get some groceries..... yeah

[NEOPO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Grifter', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NEOPO', '
')Sure driving is stressful yet try to imagine driving through a war zone and fighting for your life just to get some groceries..... yeah

[kevincarter]

In any emergency or lawless event expect Murphy's law... And you better take it with lots of humour...

The following may sound dumb, but just try it: don't be afraid and smile, if you are stressed.. smile , not a small, "social" smile, a big huge smile from the heart (make sure no one is seeing you ), let go and smile, close your eyes and do it again, it boosts your endorphines.

[gg3]

When you're under stress, your brain uses up lots of vitamin B-complex, and when you're running a shortage of it, the subjective feeling of being stressed out and overloaded is the result.

At present you can alleviate that by taking B-complex supplements four times a day. However it's useful and important to seek out foods that are rich in B vitamins, you may need them if supplements become unavailable.

Get adequate sleep. (I need to take my own advice here.)

Don't be in a state of perpetual emergency (ditto).

Meditate. I can post instructions here if anyone's interested. On one hand it's easy, on the other hand it can be difficult in the manner of a good physical workout. Do it regularly and it becomes effortless and the results are well worth it.

Sex with a partner or by yourself. What does the trick is the endorphin & dopamine flood after orgasm, for which your right hand (or your left hand) will suffice any time.

If necessary, alcohol or marijuana in moderation. A pint of beer, a glass of wine, or a few puffs of green stuff, and then pay attention to the feeling of relaxation and give yourself permission to unwind. Excessive use of either of these is a very not-good thing, so use appropriate prudence.

Other herbs are also useful, for example valerian root tea (nature's valium), but again, moderation is the key to avoiding dependence.

Tobacco. Yes, that's right, the evil weed that all the nanny-staters want to stamp out. A good pipe in particular, is relaxing and contemplative, and has few health risks.

Any ritual that occupies your attention and your senses.

Physical exercise: a good workout, a good run, a bike ride, individual sports and/or team sports. Team sports are also good for teaching practical skills that can be applied in agriculture, construction, and community defense. Even certain types of repetitive physical labor are good: weeding a garden, chopping wood, raking leaves or sweeping, any form of agricultural or construction work or even housework, that doesn't require a lot of mental effort.

And here's one you probably haven't thought of. Shared storytelling. Get together with one or two friends, and make up a fictional story as you go along. It should be focused on something pleasant and relaxing that you did or can do, preferably outdoors or in a completely fantasy setting (visiting another planet?). The main thing is to emphasize the sensory elements: for example in a scene of going fishing or going to the beach, the temperature of the breeze, the sounds of the water, the feelings, the sights, the smells, the sounds, etc. Think of it as a grownup version of "let's pretend," or an instant vacation, done in words while sitting back in a comfortable chair. You may be surprised at what happens.