West Linn, OR USA I gain weight, smoke more cigarettes, and white canker sores form in my mouth. Melodi, 19
Gahanna, OH USA Well, I'm trying not to have so many panic attacks. Sometimes I just shut down. I get depressed easily. Blah, I don't like this question, I don't want to think about stress. etoile, 20
Washington, DC USA I handle stress very well while the situation demands. However, after the fact...after all is said and done and things get back to normal, I can always count on some physical reaction. Depending on the depth of the stress, this these physiological "aftershocks" vary from a severe 24-48 hour rip-snortin' migraine to a mild skin rash to a generally lethargic attitude toward everything and everyone. It's like my body's way of saying "okay, I did what had to get done, now everyone leave me alone."
Fisch, 45
Preston, CT USA
I try to remember what the Stoics...and the Golden Sayings of Epitecticus (sp) said....it puts everything in persepective....or, to use a more modern example, I try to remember how Morrie Schwarts delt with his terminal illness in Tuesdays with Morrie.
Mick, 30
Chicago, IL
USA
I tend to scream and/or break stuff. I'm not good at dealing with stress at all. Sometimes I just go for a nice long drive and try not to think about it all-that helps.
Angela, 16
Aiken, SC
USA
I HAVE A HARD TIME WHEN UNDER STRESS. I AM GUICK TO ANSWER SOMEONE AND CAN BE VERY IRRITABLE. BUT I TRY TO GET THROUGH BY LISTENING TO GOSPEL SONGS AND PRAYING. THEN THINGS DON'T SEEM TO BE AS BAD AS THEY HAD LOOKED.
Marci, 56
Diamond, OH
USA
Well, thank goodness but I have no stress in my life. Bills and family used to stress me out but what is the point? When I die, and god says what did you do with your life, I don't want to say I fretted and stressed about other people's problems and paying bills. Don't get me wrong I pay my bills and help out family and friends but I don't let it take over my life enough to stress me out.
Stephanie, 25
TX USA
I usually become irritable and withdrawn, and I get physical pains in my lower back for some reason. However, after a long hot bath I always feel tonnes better.
Shanna, 16
Cardiff ENGLAND
Under extreme stress I begin to close down and become inactive / immobile. Mild stress goes to my jaw, neck and shoulders and is living there right now.
Felicia, 35
Lowell, MA
USA
I get annoyed and snap at people and try to put it out of my mind for awhile.
Katie, 25
Seminole, FL
USA
I usually just sit back, relax and try to clear my head. Put on some music and pretend the rest of the world is a million miles away.
Jennifer, 19
Wilkes-Barre, PA USA
I work very well under pressure, providing that no one is standing in the way, demanding undue amounts of personal attention.
Jill, 60
Saylorsburg, PA USA
Usually by getting angry and then getting whateverneeds to be done, done.
Maria
My lower back gets really tight and I clench my teeth. Usually I boss people around and snap at people.
Laura, 36
Lowell, MA
USA
Hahaha--that is such a funny question right now. I think I'm doing okay at the moment. But you never know what will happen.
Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames, IA USA
I like to think that there is little stress in my life but I guess I'm wrong. I've read that both arthritis and asthma are stress-based diseases and I have both of them. So you might say that that is how I react.
Reba, 51
Rockville, MD
USA
i hit or run or change my life somehow
Mel
Usually my eye twitches, hehe. But for real, I eat(candy. . .lots of candy), watch TV or movie, deal with the problem directly, cry, complain to friends, kick the wall, do something super athletic, or do ceramics.
Eric, 19
Beverly Hills, CA USA
Depends what's available to me at the time. If the weather's good I'll walk it off. If it isn't I'll do some writing. A couple beers usually don't hurt, either.
Alias Irrelevante
Hmm... well, I usually go to my room and stay there until I cool down, or go to someone for help. Most of my stress is school related, so someone can usually help me. Jeremy, 14Highlands Ranch, CO USA