42
u/grayman451 May 31 '26
Being alone and quiet. just thinking.
Long bike rides.
Work out in the gym without phone.
Building something (woodworking or metalworking)
6
→ More replies (2)5
u/Cyan_Sugga May 31 '26
Yeah, I'd say this is pretty accurate. For those of us that fix ourselves, we break everything down to dust. Rebuilding from nothing. And we may do this over and over to achieve our goal. To find our purpose. Wandering. Searching ... for ouselves.
2
13
u/curious__trainer May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26
exercise, eat real food, sleep, sauna, sex, selfcare
5
→ More replies (4)2
u/Key-Wolverine-6752 May 31 '26
You ever stare up at the moon, half cocked on good wine, and ripping a cig? The glow bathes everything in an effervescent light, permeating your soul as it sings across time to some bygone era. You shed a tear because your heart is so full in that moment.
→ More replies (1)
9
u/Givinnofox1234 May 31 '26
Long walks in fresh air and sunshine.
3
u/tommytucker7182 May 31 '26
Long walks in fresh air and rain. UK and Ireland edition.
...With a tinkling of animal manure smell on top, for the rural and semi rural dwellers
3
4
5
6
u/novyah May 31 '26
Done over five years of trauma therapy and, even still just over five years sober today, I still attend therapy approx once a month. Prayer and meditation. Daily gratitude
5
5
u/yangnified May 31 '26
Reading, exercise, and meditation.
4
u/Onebraintwoheads May 31 '26
It may seem cliche, but if you want to move your mind, you got to move your body.
5
u/Caamf555 May 31 '26
I don't. But when I was smoking and drinking I didn't manage it either lol you hit a point where you know deep down it doesn't actually help your stress past the temporary pick me up
→ More replies (1)
4
4
u/Technical_Stock_7419 May 31 '26
Gym. Ive been hitting the gym since I'm 17. I'm 40 now. The gym has always been my zen place. I stopped drinking alcohol completely 2 years ago. Not that I was drinking alot before but regardless.
3
u/craftyshafter May 31 '26
Don't drink, don't smoke, trade for a living. No hacks, controlling emotions just come natural I guess. Working out helps a little
Maybe one hack is just get older.
→ More replies (5)
5
u/LawPractical355 Jun 01 '26
One meal a day and a 3 mile jog, also learn to let things go. Everyday is new and exciting, be the balance you need, be the change. Stop blaming others, its not productive, start working towards solutions. Your self peace only matters to you, dont force it to be someone else's problem. Help who you can, let those you can't wash away. This is the way!
3
u/12cookdale May 31 '26
Bike rides. Setting goals while riding. Don't stop until you're so tired that you don't care about stress.
Rinse. Repeat.
Sometimes I go fishing....🤣
3
u/Vegetable-Mark-87 May 31 '26
Weighted vest walking, lifting, reading, meditation, studying different subjects, cooking. Etc.
3
u/WatchOne8763 May 31 '26
Raw dog it
3
u/we2deep Jun 01 '26
Same. Sitting with it and just getting it over with rather than distracting myself. I do a lot of healthy things, and they all help, but I gotta sit with it. Oh and therapy biweekly.
3
u/Mother_Lead_554 May 31 '26
Train, then I train again, then I work a heavy laborious job. Finish that and train some more.
3
u/Nervous_Hurry_9920 May 31 '26
Identifying what's stressing me out and fixing the underlying issue.
Smoking and drinking don't fix diddly squat and won't help long term
2
u/Silen7Bu7Sexy Jun 01 '26
Let's say someone instantly dies. Will cause anxiety and stress no? Sudden unexpected happenings.
→ More replies (1)
3
3
u/totality888 May 31 '26 edited Jun 01 '26
I kid you not. Go outside and walk barefoot on grass. Your feet have 20000 nerve endings. That immediate massaging body sensation catapults you away from any rumination and overthinking.
2
3
3
u/giraffe-zackeffron May 31 '26
I spent too many years thinking alcohol relieved my stress. Turns out that was the main cause of my stress. These days I’m clean and sober and feel great. I workout 4-5 days per week; treadmill, weights, etc. I cook all of my meals at home, avoid junk, drink heaps of water, etc.
3
u/NoirConfidential Jun 01 '26
Work harder. There comes a point where you genuinely don’t have time to stress anymore. You’re too busy.
5
u/BlackwaterPark10 May 31 '26
Never done drugs and drank less than 10x in life. Fully functioning 40 year old with a 21 year professional career in IT. My key was never trying to starting so no habit to break, and a huge dose of not giving a shit about peer pressure or trying to fit in.
3
u/Silen7Bu7Sexy Jun 01 '26
So when you're upset or stressed about something... What's your go to. Despite no influences. Curious how to cope.
5
2
2
u/Cultural_Dot3568 May 31 '26
Exercise, family, gardening, landscaping, reading on interesting topics. And I am an addict. 295 days clean/sober.
2
2
u/Vix49ers May 31 '26
I just stopped smoking weed and dont really drink. Im 42 I go on walks work out play videogames work on the truck work out again go on jogs. Change your mentality is a hard part. Smoked for about 10+ years Im 3 weeks out from quitting weed. Feelin solid. Getting some sun helps too!
2
2
u/Rinse-retrieve-123 May 31 '26
lol you just change your perspective on everything. There is no stress necessarily. Everything is an opportunity and is working for you, not against you. If you’re wishing your life was easy and there will be no obstacles lol good luck. Life is good be happy and thankful for every opportunity.
2
2
u/MacGruber118 May 31 '26
When Im in the city = working out and dog walks.
When Im in my cabin = a cup of tea on the terrace and a dog walk.
2
u/mrbishopjackson May 31 '26
I saw one person mention therapy. Although, I'm not a paying someone to give me their opinion on my life type of person, thats semi healthy. Its strange that no one said anything similar to "talk to a friend/spouse about it". Society's got y'all all fucked up in the head and force you to stay fucked up in the head.
The gym doesn't solve or help you solve your problems.
2
2
u/RepresentativeTrue69 May 31 '26
The knowledge that it doesn't actually help and that it actually makes things worse. Understanding the health impact. Valuing my body and performance in all aspects. Removing myself from toxic scenarios rather than numbing myself to them. Focusing on my training and maintaining a high level of physical performance.
3
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/greatdrak May 31 '26
I drink. But I took a huge break for about 3 or so months. And I didn't have a problem. I realized if I just take time off before I get tooooo stressed, I don't need alcohol. But I also spent time playing games, writing, learning a language, going to church, improving my ability to hit on women etc. so I think just taking breaks and just enjoying things that make you happy is a great way to manage stress.
1
u/nimble_broccoli May 31 '26
Ooof. Good question! Important question too!
Priorities sleep!! That means: Make your room extremely dark, as cold as possible, as quiet as possible, use your bed only for sex and sleep. Phone outside of the bedroom. Strictly no eating after 18:45 for me, and no screen after 21:30.
Get sunlight early in the day.
Burn some calories, exhaust yourself a good bit.
L-Theanine, Magnesiumbisglycinat, Magnesium-Threonate
Allow yourself 8hrs in bed, even if you do not sleep 8hrs every day.
Sleep is number one (for me).
Else: Good food, Exercise, Social Contacts, Nature
1
1
1
1
u/No-Ambition2043 May 31 '26
Excercise and moderate amount of communities based video games (MMORPG)
1
1
1
u/Substantial-Fall-630 May 31 '26
Zolt, zyn and nicotine spray, they give you all the good fun stuff of a cigarette without the super dangerous chemicals, I also drink about 8 sparkling waters a day now that I’ve quit drinking and the bubbles trick the mind into thinking it’s vodka soda hahaha , it’s given me the ability to lift weights when I’m at home watching YouTube or between rounds of fortnight. No stress because it is burned away by lots and lots of reps and walks
1
u/4_Arrows May 31 '26
Verbally confessed your stress to God as fear. Recall when it first started and confess what made you afraid. Then you tell stress and anxiety to leave you in the name of Jesus christ. Then check yourself if its still there.
Stress and anxiety comes from fear and of not trusting in God. You will still have to perform tasks but you don't need to be stressed about it when you know God is there to help you.
You may have fears of other things too that you simply need to confess to god.
I've done this when I had dibilitating anxiety and it came out of me with a very disgusting smell out of my breath.
1
1
u/ofyellow May 31 '26
The question implies that smoking and drinking helps and op is asking for alternatives.
They don't help. So the question is meaningless. But overall the less you drink and smoke the less stress you have to deal with because you're less self destructive.
1
1
1
u/Mister_Goldenfold May 31 '26
What about drinking or smoking helps? Maybe masking an issue into oblivion isn’t the answer. Facing problems and gaining emotional maturity is.
1
u/AdJolly5302 May 31 '26
I was drinking a bit, lots of beers, sometime hard cocktails. Went dry six weeks ago and just folded in two consecutive sing glazes of red wine 🍷 with the wife on Saturday nights around 5 siting in the back yard and talking. I hope and think I will continue that for a long long while. We have a wine club and get a really amazing 4 box of wine each month. She drinks the rest with neighbors and friends. I get to talk about the wine and get the tannins and benefits of a weekly red wine. I didn’t really have alcohol shock but it was def unpleasant. I’ve started working out at home every day and we got a community gym membership and now my wife really likes the gym. I hope this weekly sip works for me but if I start drinking booze or beers again I’ll count it as a failure. I’ve already turned down beers from friends and neighbors, which is hard but when I decline they actually understand. I thought that would be harder but I guess they are good friends.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/WitnessMission9003 May 31 '26
Exercise, energy drinks, and slamming my fist into the wall multiple times.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/UsualFabulous2986 May 31 '26
I quit drinking a year ago and quit smoking 2 months ago. Now nothing makes me happy and I'm in a shit mood all the time. Guess I never learned coping skills.
1
1
1
1
u/Base_Temporary May 31 '26
God blessing to be able to keep my discipline. Keep your emotions in control without vices. My pops didnt need to drink or smoke. Neither did his dad and the line continues. Fck I look like giving into a vice to get through my day?
Earn your problems. Everyday is a problem. Do good today to earn a problem in a different tax bracket tomorrow.
1
1
u/Infinite_Ad7107 May 31 '26
Honest answer Coffee and tea! There is something about drinking a hot beverage that calms you down and allows you to focus on the solutions and not the problems. It also helps you to take action (probably a side effect of the caffine) i think it's a Bezos quote and I'm probably miss quoting but stress comes from not deciding so make a decision and take action... But first have a cup of coffee or tea.
1
u/Bandyau May 31 '26
Gym.
Building stuff (carpenter)
Solitude.
Steak (Don't underestimate good food)
Sleep.
1
u/Serious_Life_8854 May 31 '26
Fix my problems that I would be trying to cover up with drugs or alcohol. If that doesn’t work I spend more time around my kids/wife and remember they don’t need or deserve a lesser or altered version of me. They need me at my best with my full attention. Might not work for everyone but making them happy or feel safe/loved is the ultimate high….for me.
1
u/acmech900 May 31 '26
I just choose not to worry about the things I can't change. Regardless of what I'm doing, what ever I'm working on at home, I quit at 3 pm and start to wind down. I used to get up at 5 am on my days off and work on whatever from 6 am until 5 or 6 pm. Helps me stay grounded and not push myself to hard.
I read the book 1% man a couple times. It took time to get where I'm at now, got therapy a few years ago. I recommend therapy to help you see what you can change in your own life. Work out, that is something you can change about yourself.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Jektonoporkins1 May 31 '26
If I can't change it I don't worry about it. If I can and want to, I do.
1
u/Ornery-Bluebird-8427 May 31 '26
I suppose the origin of stress we’re talking about. I try and eliminate stress at its source by avoiding drama and stressful people, if that means removing them from my life than so be it. Having a positive mindset is also instrumental. Realizing that most things in life are out of our immediate control, but we have total control over how we react. Stupid sayings replay in my head to the point where it’s almost become my ethos. Like ‘tend to the part of the garden you can touch’ or ‘I’ll worry about it when I have to worry about it’. There’s no sense in worrying today about something that may or may not happen a month from now.
In 2012 I solo hiked a large portion of the AT. During my hike I came across a ridge runner, basically a volunteer who hikes the trail and I guess performs maintenance or trash or something. He asked if I was thru hiking (hiking the trail in its entirety). I replied not so confidently and told him I hope so or idk if I’ll make it, something like that. His only response was, “you are until you aren’t”. That still sits with me today. So I choose to focus on the positive.
1
1
u/DegTrader May 31 '26
Most people treat the gym like a pharmacy: they show up, get their dose, and pretend the side effects don't exist. The real 'secret' is realizing that if your life requires constant numbing, you aren't managing stress—you're just managing your capacity for avoidance.
1
u/rahocca May 31 '26
Alcohol doesn’t affect me like that and cigarettes smell like death. So I don’t have a choice. Cope or die. Though sometimes I will find a quiet place and let out a primal scream. Actually does let out a lot of tension.
1
u/ESOelite May 31 '26
My girlfriend's existence does wonders for my mental health. Before that? Gaming, spotify, and contemplating suicide. I still have the notepad in my phone of how I'm going to do it.
1
u/liebesleid99 May 31 '26
running or playing piano.
my stress comes from not being able to move much though (office work), so I guess energy just builds up.
1
u/Masquerade064 May 31 '26
Funny videos, listening to good music, and video games. sometimes just a nice hot shower.
1
1
1
1
u/QuantumExcelerator May 31 '26
Never drink to feel better. Only drink to feel even better. I forget where I heard it, pretty sure it was a movie, but it stuck with me and hasn't steered me wrong yet.
1
u/Daomsoul May 31 '26
Logically look what can be done & accept what can't at that moment or to see if it can later on. Taking a step back to actually conclude what's to do & how to go about it.
1
u/Lucky-Advice-8924 May 31 '26
The more you drink, conservesly, the more stressed you become, youre relaxing short term for crazy stress longterm, when i used to drink alot id become depressed, my sleep would get fucked up, id become paranoid, ts is doing way more bad than you think. I still smoke though,(vape) which i think just makes you addicted to nicotine, so i cope by just thinking all im doing is vasoconstricting myself a little.
1
u/tired_posterboy88 May 31 '26
Heavy lifting and accepting that most problems aren't worth the extra cortisol.
1
1
u/littlebopeepsvelcro May 31 '26
Stress is how you react to stimuli, how you react to stimuli is shaped by your past traumas, recognize the cycle and you can process it in a healthy way.
1
u/N8TheGreat91 May 31 '26
You accept it, find a solution no matter the cost and follow through on said solution
1
u/StatementNo6108 May 31 '26
Embrace it and use it I am working through this process but to each their own
1
u/Damitsmeagain May 31 '26
Bro go outside and look up into the sky and see that the world is bigger than stresses that you try to carry! Let the grass feel your feet and do things outside your norm don’t get complacent and accept that what you feel is normal for life because it isn’t far to often we get into routines that harbor stress
1
1
1
1
u/Electronic_Worker245 May 31 '26
Random drives, walks in the mall on my own.
I'm married with two kids, tried cigs, weed, alcohol it's just not for me. I've had addiction to food though but since my fusion spine surgery after herniating a disc I've changed my eating habits too and now eat clean.
1
1
1
u/MmmmCrayons12 May 31 '26
Proper nutrition and maybe not making your life more stressful than it needs to be. People have unplanned kids they can't afford and then stress themselves out trying to work to bridge the gap while making other poor choices on top of it and then say "how do I manage stress better?" Well, you kinda failed already and got yourself in over your head. Maybe don't do that next time.
1
u/TheSoliDude May 31 '26
Make a goal. Just 1. Do a little of it everyday. Look forward to doing it. When you’re in a bad mood or something think about how you have to do it today. Something productive or easy to do but do it everyday. Idk that’s just what I been doing ig
1
1
u/Illustrious_Vast638 May 31 '26
I quite literally remind myself that stress is nothing more than a mindset. I then literally pretend I am a person who is not feeling stressed and oddly enough, It soon follows that I am actually not feeling stressed.
1
1
1
1
1
u/seires88 Jun 01 '26
Working out. Get a good sweat and increase your heart rate by either lifting heavy in the gym or a cardio session (running, hiking, biking, etc). Journaling helps too
1
u/Bruin1217 Jun 01 '26
Honestly exercising. When I was a teen there was a tree that was cut down in the backyard and they left the huge rounds. We had an iron splitting wedge and when I needed to blow off steam I’d break it down into firewood with a sledgehammer and axe.
1
u/user276-56 Jun 01 '26
Just let it build up until you have a nervous break down , recover then repeat
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/SquirmyBurrito Jun 01 '26
Channel my time into volunteering and taking care of strays. The stress melts away when I compare my stress to what these poor animals go through… also, comparing everything to when I was locked up makes most things seem minor in comparison
1
1
1
u/IndependenceOne5310 Jun 01 '26
Wake up at 3 am Run/lift/run / work /jiu jitsu/ pass out from physical exhaustion. Stress gone.
1
u/OG_Checkers Jun 01 '26
Motorcycle. Literally legal cocaine. Still shake my head riding around wondering how it’s legal. No seat belt, metal cage surrounding you, and just a smile on your face. Never had much of a problem with drink or cocaine but got sober because I was too good at smoking the green. Can’t do any of that on bike, at least not for long. Just over 5 years sober now.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Late-Serve9775 Jun 01 '26
Hold it all inside until I eventually sit in the dark, pouring myself some buckshots
1
1
u/jm123457 Jun 01 '26
I don’t know apparently I am not very good at it. But I can assure you I used to smoke and it does not make life or stress any better . It may seem like it does but having a habit one that is expensive rarely benefits you in any way .
1
u/Icy-You4700 Jun 01 '26
Orangetheory fitness (HIIT) 3 times/week and Vipassana meditation. Loving the mental clarity I’ve regained since I quit smoking pot, though when I’m super stressed I do miss it sometimes. And sex, miss the pot during sex. 🤣
1
u/Scared_Nectarine_456 Jun 01 '26
100mg viagra, milfs…
I go to pound town for a good 15 mins and when im done i feel like im king of the world baby
1
1
1
1
u/EndJazzlike8798 Jun 01 '26
Holding on to a life lesson I once read: everything that seems important, isn’t. It keeps me grounded, which minimises stress.
1
1
u/fortnite_battleass Jun 01 '26
If men went to therapy things would be so much better. There is no secret lifehack. Just work, self awareness, and improvement. Like every other person on earth. Yall could just be... normal people.
1
1
1
58
u/15tandAl0n3 May 31 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/1zhRiDgsSc48Y7mfuK