[WinterGirl]

It's 6:30 AM and I'm already at work. Last night I nearly had a meltdown in the office and ended up leaving 15 minutes early because I truly thought I would start screaming. The cause of such unprofessionalism has already e-mailed me twice this morning asking for information that I sent her yesterday that our system says she's read. I've had a migraine since yesterday and a stomach ache since a day before that. Last night I woke up screaming from a work related nightmare and couldn't get back to sleep for 2 hours. I know that a new job will probably be the answer but for financial reasons I really NEED to stay at this one until the end of February. So, other than eating junk (which I'm trying hard not to do) and exercising (which I am trying hard to do) what are your best solutions for stress relief? I could really use and would appreciate your advice. I've never handled stress well in my life and usually either avoid it or try to manage it through exercise.

O.K. I'm going to hunt up some diet coke and work on an attitude adjustment so that I'm not such a downer when I come back on my break.

Also, has anyone heard from Rina or Becky? Seems to me neither has been around in a long while.

[star19600]

Laura - I'm getting stressed out just listening to what you've had to deal with! To tell you the truth, I end up sleeping a lot of stress away (if I can). Other tactics I've tried with limited success ... curling up with a book (escapism) or venting on family or friends. I hope you feel better soon!

I haven't done anything all that exciting in the last day or so ... went and played pool last night for a little while, other than that.... nothing!

where's everyone else at?

[lexxy2]

Hey girls,

Quiet today...no good news for me on the eating or exercise front today, so we'll ignore that.

Laura, I wish I had some good suggestions for you. Unfortunately, I am a total stress case myself. Besides food, I usually drive like a maniac and yell and scream at other drivers while in my car. At least they can't hear me. I also like to sit around and be totally lazy when I'm home - go from one extreme to another. None of those are really good tips though, so good luck!

Haven't heard from Rina or Becky...or Lori from RI...and I'm sure many more I can't think of right now.

Speaking of stress....I have these total idiots working on my team. I am trying to take my lunch break at my desk so I am not out spending money. However, they come and ask me the usual moronic questions and interrupt me constantly. Laura, lets send the stress vibes away together!

[Horsey girl]

Wow - slow day today. I had some good excersise last night at volleyball. I'm thinking of taking a belly dancing class. Belle - didn't you do one? Did you like it? They have one on Saturday mornings just after my meetings and just around the corner so it would be perfect. Now I just have to find when the next one starts.
Laura - So I'm about to say something weird but, right now, I hate my job. I hate the new computer system and a lot of my co-workers but I have a few co-workers that I really like. When I get EXTREMELY frustrated, I actually cry. But then I take a couple of deep breaths and remind myself I'm only here for another seven months and continue on with my day. You can think of it as just one more month and then you won't have to deal with it anymore - it might relieve more stress than you think.
Angie - pool sounds like fun. I wonder if it can be counted for exercise points.

OK, lots of work today (what's new) so I'll see if anyone is around later. Sorry if I missed anyone while I was posting.

KT

[Jen-L]

OK, I posted a while back and it didn't appear, this is the second time since the upgrade here. How frustrating. Well, it was -16 this morning with -40+ windchills. OMG it is so cold here.

Laura, I posted a bunch to you about work stress. I have that a lot also. Hubby tries to make me forget work when I am home. We have a rule, work is work and home is home and we really try hard not to bring work issues home with us. It is relaly hard to do, but does make you feel better at home. I try to do fun things with the kids like dumb games or even reading. That usually takes my mind off of work. Also, take a relaxing bath with candles and a good book!

OK, work is unbelieveably nuts for me. I keep getting farther and farther behind because new things keep coming up. UGHHHHHH.............

[JessIsOK]

Laura, baby! When you start feeling all stressed out, find something that makes you laugh. Seriously, just set all your stress aside for a few moments and visit a website or something that makes you laugh. You don't have to belly laugh, just find a webpage with jokes or silly photos or anything like that. All you need is some comic relief. And, when you go home tonight, as soon as you walk in the door, strip down to whatever you can sleep in, set the alarm for an hour and 15 minutes, collapse on your bed and have some REMeditation.

Angie--Hey, kiddo! Hope your day is going well!

Lexxy--I have the same problem with people in my building. They'll mosey on over to my cubicle and proceed to stand and chat despite my lunch that is sitting on my desk getting cold. It drives me crazy. I swear, all workplaces should have a course in office etiquette and make it a requirement for all employees.

KT--I'm having some work frustration today, too. I work in a cubicle cluster of 4 cubes. The lady across from me is a good friend, but she also works when she's here. The other two don't really get too much done. And one of them has talked nonstop for the last hour and 15 minutes (in addition to her morning whining session that lasted about 1 1/2 hours this morning). I'm kind of hating my job, too. I need to concentrate and I can't and I have so much to do.

Jen--What's up with the losing posts? I'm not having any troubles since that crash, but I'm sorry to hear that you are. I know how you feel with falling further behind--so am I, but that's because I don't get any peace and quiet here. I wonder what my boss would think about me working from home. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Anyway... I had a big ol' plate of nachos yesterday for lunch and followed it with 3/4 piece of chocolate cake. I planned to be a good girl and have a can of green beans for dinner, but I'm out of parmesan cheese (which I've recently found that I must have on my green beans). So, I made a cup of rice, added some canned chicken and covered it in cheese. Why do I do that? Anyway, back OP today and it's a brand new day, so I'm getting right back on track.

Does anyone have big plans for the weekend? I don't have much planned. It's Aaron and my weekend together, so I'm not sure what we're going to do. I'm sure we'll rent movies and eat--I gotta try to have a good weekend after Tuesday's gyro and Wednesday's nachos and cheesy rice.

Anyway, that's about all I know. I better get a little something done. Chatterbox finally stopped chattering so I'll have some peace to get some work done. See ya!

[Horsey girl]

Jess - cheesy rice sounds yummy. I've recently had an aversion to rice. No real reason but I stopped eating it around a year and a half ago. My grandfather keeps trying to feed me rice pudding. I'd rather have his chocolate cake. I must phone them soon. Our work is in the middle of a computer system changeover (for everyone - staff, students and faculty) and I'm not the only one who sits at her desk crying. Others dream of the day they'll retire. Others give their work to other people and talk about how the change is not affecting their workload at all (those are the ones I hate) - rant over - sorry about that
Lexxy - good for you to save money by brown bagging it. It's probably easier on the points too. I say add one minute to the end of your lunch for every minute of your time taken up by moronic questions.
Jen - I like the thought of dropping it all at the door. You're lucky cause you have fun kids to distract you.
Oh - and Laura - I love what jess said about looking at something funny. I've got this hilarious picture of my nieces on my desktop and every time I look at it I smile. It makes the day go a little faster.
KT

[star19600]

Lexxy - I tend to have some pretty good cases of road rage myself ... it's a good thing I don't live in a big city, I'm pretty sure the commute would kill me (or someone else!)

KT - I know exactly what you mean about changing over computer systems - I hope things go better for you!

Jess - mmm you've just managed to single-handedly double my chocolate cravings for the day by mentioning chocolate cake! I will try and resist with the diet coke I just finished!

Jen! That is COLD!!!! That's just about enough to make me quit complaining about the -10 windchills around here, you've got my sympathy!

Okay only 2 hours of work left and it hasn't been too bad so far (probably just jinxed it!) Seeya