[KissedbyFire]

I've been having a rough time with everything. My life has become a neverending cycle of stress, pain and misery. I desperately need an outlet of some sort. I like writing and listening to music and watching films, but I feel as though I need something more to get the anger and frustration out. I might take some crochet/knitting classes, but I don't know. $35/hr is a lot. I also like horse back riding, but that is also expensive.

What are your emotional outlets? Any advice on how to cope?

[healingme4me]

Originally Posted by KissedbyFire

I've been having a rough time with everything. My life has become a neverending cycle of stress, pain and misery. I desperately need an outlet of some sort. I like writing and listening to music and watching films, but I feel as though I need something more to get the anger and frustration out. I might take some crochet/knitting classes, but I don't know. $35/hr is a lot. I also like horse back riding, but that is also expensive.

What are your emotional outlets? Any advice on how to cope?

I find, that if I am too angry, it's difficult, to sit and listen or watch, much of anything. But driving, with music, that helps. Mind you, I must be mindful and in control, behind the wheel. But a nice little acceleration, on a 'safe stretch' of road, helps me. I'm not talking, highway, either, my home-city, I know of a couple streets, and where all the 'adrenaline rush' areas are. Takes control, yet, that adrenaline rush, works for me.

As far as knitting and crocheting, there's always youtube

[wife22]

I like going to gym,takes my mind off the topic of stress

[Little Lulu]

You are onto something. Hobbies are good for the soul. I make beaded and hemp jewelry. Hemp jewelry is especially reasonable as far as cost goes. I crochet and cross stitch also. I agree with healingme - I used You tube to teach myself most of what I know. There are great tutorials on it. I have an elderly neighbor who is wanting to teach me to knit ... I am considering it. Would be good for me and her.

[Little Miss Death]

i set things like paper on fire or cut them up.

[Grey Matter]

I am a big writer when it comes to being angry because I am much more clear in my writing than I am verbally. I know good stress relief for anger is working out, finding a hobby to do with your hands (you don't need a class! Lots of art stores sell kits that teach you how to knit, and honestly, youtube tutorials are GREAT). I also started doing a lot of DIY (just hand stamped my wall, made "wallpaper" out of scrap book paper) and its relatively cheap and can be done with loads of things around your house.

[00642]

I tend to do a lot of ranting on my tumblr It's great because even if I'm too lazy to type it all, there's usually a GIF to reblog that says it all.
Also, I find that a walk is sometimes good. Sounds weird, I know and once upon a time, if somebody said that to me, I would be like "..." but honestly, it's not so bad. Sometimes, I'll get my dog and near where I live, there's a big hill with a field and some lodges. I'll walk up there and sit in between the lodges and it's so pretty, I just like staring at the water and it gives me time to think.
Other times, I've been known to hop on a bus and go to the animal shelter. They know me by now so if I'm in that mood, I'll go in, get a dog and go for a wander and that usually calms me down. Mostly because I make myself because I think "If I'm going to be your only walk of the day, you're not going to have to deal with me being grumpy!" and I'll talk to the dog and what not :L And when I come back, one of the staff or other walkers are usually around and if I'm still a bit, erm, emotional or peeved, it's not long before I have to hold a conversation or somebody cheers me up
Art's also good. Especially painting! I never really keep anything I paint but just having an overall idea and just using the brush to swish about is great and I can lose myself for hours - it's a great outlet.

[KissedbyFire]

Thank you everyone for all of the replies!

I definitely think walking is good. I like to do it when it is warm, but it is bone-chilling up where I am at. Exercise is a definite must as I have gained some weight (and Thanksgiving surely didn't help!).

I will definitely check out youtube and try painting as a stress reliever!

[possum220]

Tearing up old magazines is a good one. Or get some crayons or pencils and scrawl away...... then when the anger is gone, then you can draw patterns or anything you want. No arty skill are required........ just let it rip.

[Citrine]

I think different emotions need different methods. If anger is involved I suggest something physical to use up the energy and adrenaline. Gardening, cleaning, sports.

[lizardlady]

Great topic!!! You helped me realize I have a bunch of outlets. I may print this out as a reminder.

in no particular order...
- post at PC about how I'm feeling
- listen to certain music at a volume to my my eardrums bleed
- draw (I'm not any good, but that's not the point)
- write
- make jewelry
- read
- get physically active, this can be actual exercise or I might work in the yard or around the farm, just something that gets me off my backend and active
- spend time with my critters
- go outside and do something
- clean (not very often, but it can be therapeutic)
- call a friend and rant about what's bothering me
- color, as in get out crayons and color in a coloring book

You mention learning to knit or crochet. Neither is hard. You need some way of learning the stiches and a pattern. I used books from the library. Videos on youtube would be good too. Youtube didn't exist when I learned to knit and crochet. Heck, computers took up an entire room when I learned to knit and crochet.

You also mentioned walking as a release. People in my area go to the mall to walk when the weather is nasty. Maybe you could do something similar. Or if it's too cold to walk, what about ice skating?

[hamstay]

Music and exercise!
I live in a place where it's fairly easy (even in winter) to get out and go for a run (or walk) or ride, when I really don't feel like it, is the best time to go!!! But if stuck indoors, I do have a treadmill and other gym equip! Otherwise it's rigorous dancing to my fav tunes or playing the Wii!
As for music, just listening (again with the dance thing!) or playing, I have collected an assortment of instruments, usually teach myself (and YouTube could probably help there too!)
These both go together really, if I'm really stressed, the iPod and a run that releases good endorphins makes for

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[AngstyLady]

Music has always helped me. And more recently, regular exercise helps a lot too.

[Webgoji]

To be perfectly honest (and this came up in therapy this weekend) ...

I don't. I just sit around and get more miserable.

If I want to go play a game I'm being antisocial. If I want to play D&D with friends I'm not spending time with the family. If I want to write, nobody is interested and won't let me do it. If I want to exercise I have to bring my kids with me. If I want to read I'll be interrupted.

So I sit on the couch and hate life and who I am.

I get a big canvas. Usually a used one cheap. (Like a painting from a second hand store) And I finger/hand paint big abstract pieces that are all feeling and color. I get right into it. Lose track of time. If it doesn't turn out, I just paint it again the next time I need art therapy.

[vans1974]

Lifting weights and listening to music!!

[atomicc]

I cook to relieve stress It makes me focus on the food and not on any other worries I have. I'm always happy when myself or someone else likes what I make.

[ImagineAllThePeople]

Weather permitting, take a walk downtown and treat yourself to something yummy to eat

If you live near a beach, take a walk there to breathe in some ocean air

As for me, I go to the fitness center and try to improve my strength and stamina

My favorite thing to do is visit all the local thrift shops and sometimes finding a "treasure" makes me happy