stress!

My stress level has gotten out of control. I'm a single mom of 2 preschoolers. I need help. Ideas on how to relieve stress? ER doc wants me on clonopin and I don't like taking meds unless absolutely necessary. Please, if any one has any ideas I'm open to suggestions.

Well, depends on what you're stressed about, the best way to deal with stress is to eliminate the source but that's not always applicable. Sleep is a good way to relieve stress, but not everyone has time to take a nap in the day. Music and meditation are also good methods for relieving stress, there are also other methods and means but I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for me to suggest it >.>

I feel your pain, love. Everyone handles stress different, so my suggestions may not work for you. A natural way would be essential oils in your bathwater, such as lavender, mint, or eucalyptus. You can also take the leaves of these plants(very cheap) and attach them to your shower head. When you take a shower, the heat and steam from the water will release their scent and will help calm you. As well as calming, the 3 scents I've mentioned are natural lice repellents, so you won't have to worry very much about your children getting them at school(still do your checks, though). Pinterest has really neat recipes for "bath bombs" or "bath fizzes" that you can add the essential oils to. It'd be a fun and simple activity to involve your kids with. The great thing with the oils as well, if you put a couple of drops of them into a little bit of castor oil or vegetable oil, it's a great massage oil that you can use on your scalp before your shower. It feels really nice, it's relaxing, and you're stimulating your senses :) You can get the essential oils at Vitamin Cottage, Whole Foods, Sprouts, ad a lot of natural health stores. Magnesium is also great for stress as it will relax your muscles. You can get magnesium in the vitamin section in capsules, as an additive to your water, and it's in Epsom Salt, so you can add it to your bath water. With 2 young kids, this suggestion might be tough, but meditation could help. Even for 10 minutes, have some quiet time for yourself. I'll say what I think Karasu might have been suggesting. Masturbation is supposed to ease stress and the headaches that come with stress as well. I found that one of the best things, though, is to have a buddy just listen to you vent out your stresses. Sometimes, you just need to really let it out and you'll feel better just by saying out loud what's on your mind. Good luck!

approach the problem directly and deal with it and hold your head up high!, you can never cover up stress, even you did for a while It's only short and it will keep coming back! Don't take psychotic medications either,( I was on that for 4 years and it made it worse) It might help a while but it'll get worse as well after pro-longed time, it makes you like a zombie and you wont feel like doing nothing at all and just basically blocks the signals sent to your brain to want to deal with the issues you know! Plus that medicine gives you bad skin problems, sores and rashes you don't know where it came from! Anyway... I know it's hard but just approach it directly best you can and move forward with your head up high! Exorcise can help too cause it releases good energy to your brain to where you can relax and think a bit! And yes talking to someone can help too, someone you really trust! Good luck! Your a strong woman you can make it!

Go running in the morning or whenever you can. Quiet time for sure.

Thank you all! Rebeccaloveless and blondeangel had some VERY good suggestions. I have the oils and I'm going to try getting my PCP to send my to a therapist. Thank you all for the help.

Not a problem. I've been there before, I know how horrible it can be. If you feel stressed, panicked, or just need to vent, send me a pm. I'm not a therapist, but I'll listen.