Topic : Coping with Stress

I have found an excellent way to relieve my stress and reduce some of life's anxieties.  And that is music.   There are so many different genres of music but some are specifically geared at helping to reduce stress.  Either way, if you find some kind of music that you like, you can kick back, close your eyes, and focus on the music instead of your problems for a while.  I find that taking my mind off things, if only for a while, helps me to reflect and problem-solve, and feel more energized and better ready to handle things constantly being thrown my way. 

I like a lot of music but my favorite artist for just such a purpose:  BRADLEY JOSEPH 

He's a wonderful composer/pianist/keyboardist, who creates the most emotional music I've ever heard.    A lot of his music is designed to help the listener "calm, compose, and renew".  And some of his music is fun and upbeat which really helps my mood too - gets my bootie moving to clean this house!  LOL  

What is your favorite music to help relieve stress?   

I need someone to explain this to me. 

I am having a hard time understanding people.  From my point of view, I always give people benefit of the doubt until the other person proves me wrong.  I always give people ( in general) just an once of respect at our first meeting.  I always say thank you, sorry and excuse me.  But I feel like am the only one.  There is the saying that goes around in here, you teach people how to treat you.  Well....what is wrong with this way?  And believe me I am not a door mat either.  I have people who do not like me, because I am too direct. 

I can be walking along at the store, no one knows me, I have not said anything, just shopping and people will run into me, they step in front of me with out a word of excuse me.  I am going down the street in my car, I always run with my lights on, even in the daytime, people pull out in front of me, causing me to have to step hard on the brakes.   

Where did all these rude people come from?  Why is being nasty first always better?  Why can't people look beyond their own nose to realise there are other people around them? 

It doesn't take much for me to become stressed. I am 20 years old, psychology major, Spanish minor, and it is my junior year. I have several problems that I need to deal with, but don't. I often feel like I am talking to myself, because my thoughts seem really loud and I can't relax. Sometimes I become so interested in my thoughts that I begin to have a mental conversation. I also get really anxious sometimes, but I don't know why? I know I can't stop thinking, but does anyone have suggestions on how I can clear my mind or get my thoughts to quiet down?

Since 2002 (when I was 21) life has gone down hill.  Isnt that supposed to be the best time of your life?  It was the worst for me. On Valentines Day of 2002 my father  passed away.  My father and I had been fighting when he died so of course I have alot of guilt.  My brother and sister did not want the responsibility of controling his estate, so of course I had to be the one to do it and it was not fun at all. That had to be the most stressful period in my life.  

 Also that year I was diagnosed with crohns disease. No one in my family understands the pain that I go through almost daily with the disease. I have been in the hospital 2 times since Aug 04 and my weight has been up and down.  Right now I am not happy with myself.  We were told that it was hereditary but we cant find anyone in our family who has had it.???? 

I am recently married although right now I am separated.  I have a waitressing job and business is slow so I am not making money, therefore  I have to stay with my mother. 

I have been through alot at such a young age.  I know that I am smart, beautiful ,and I always try to look at the positive.  I know everything happens for a reason although we may not understand why it happened at that particular time eventually we will get it.  I am thankful I have a home a job and a car.  But it is still hard trying to cope with everything that has happened and my daily stresses. 

Any suggestions on how to deal with the stress?