When you get introduced to that wall. (Stress)

[Wahlgren]

Hey all. Just wanted to see if you had any ideas and tips on how to get out of a bad circle.

Lately i've been so stressed out and nervous (apparently) that my body... well shut down. I've been home for a week now with bad pains and cramps in my stomach area (and now, time for a joke) and my family has more or less forced me to visit a doctor now (tomorrow).

Anyway. Most of "us" think the problem is located in the stress department. I didnt think so at first but it seems to be due to that. I've never been vulnerable to stress before so it caught me by surprise (High stress army position etc). Anyway, this is not a pity or emo thread or anything like that.

Anyway, I want to know what you do when all things go to hell and everything seems pitch black. Got any ideas? :)

I will probably buy Puzzle quest for the DS to help me soften some of the burden. ( 4 hours of commuting every day in a system that doesnt work so you usually end up waiting...). Really fun game.

[BiG ToE]

yeah man, play games, watch some good TV, cartoons are best. Also, try something new. Take up photograghy if you haven't already, then use those photos to play around with photoshop. It can help when it comes to texturing your next model.

[Marcus Dublin]

“Stressed, you live in Sweden in the land of beautiful blondes, find one and all your pains will go away!:D ” Okay, okay I'm just kidding with ya, anyway I found myself in the same position a year and a half ago. Mostly it was related from my job and a relationship that was going nowhere fast. I switched jobs and broke up with my ex and I've felt much better since then. I doubt you'd have to go though those extremes but I'd evaluate the things that make you feel the most uncomfortable and cut back on them or do away with them if you can. This could be work related, family, friends, etc. Also a slight shift in your diet can help to, along with better sleeping habits. For instance I bought a new bed about a month ago and its worked wonders for me, I can't remember the last time I've slept so good! Things like this can really help take some of the edge off and help you alleviate some of the stress. One other tip would be to find a new hobby or interest, going outside and reading a good book, working out, knitting, writing, sculpting "non 3d", etc. I found doing activities could be fun and relaxing and really take your mind off of whatever negatives you have going on in your life. Personally I’ve taken up creative writing in my spare time and it’s really helped me relax and direct my creativity elsewhere. All in all I guess it's all about balance in life, I hope you work things out André and good luck with doctors visit.:)

Marcus

[_Vincento_]

Haha Marcus you're so nice

Oink do you practice sport ?

Adrenaline is a good thing sometime. I would propose you to practice Kiteboard hehe but the sea should be frozen in Sweden gla gla

Oink with the hope you will be better very soon
Have an happy life in every day.


_Vincent

[Frozan]

What i like to do is work out. i also just got a bike so biking will be a way of letting go of some of that stress. another thing ive tried is making a game out of some things. also basketball with my friends tends to make me feel really tired and well distressed.

[Wahlgren]

yeah man, play games, watch some good TV, cartoons are best. Also, try something new. Take up photograghy if you haven't already, then use those photos to play around with photoshop. It can help when it comes to texturing your next model.

cameras are nice but I want one of those expensive ones and I can't afford that at the moment :)


lots of textI have one of those already ( she isnt blonde though ;D ). The things that make me most uncomfortable will probably be over in one months time. Sooner if i find a job.

Quality gold post though. Cheers :)



H
Oink do you practice sport ?

Adrenaline is a good thing sometime. I would propose you to practice Kiteboard hehe but the sea should be frozen in Sweden

Oink with the hope you will be better very soon
Sadly no. It would just add to the stress I think. I tried to train a little in the beginning but I came home so late at night that I just couldnt do anything else than sleep.


Thanks for help:)
What i like to do is work out. i also just got a bike so biking will be a way of letting go of some of that stress. another thing ive tried is making a game out of some things. also basketball with my friends tends to make me feel really tired and well distressed.

Biking is nice but mine is to old and buying a new one wont work since I probably will have to move soon.



For those interested, my main problems is this (some left out). Prepare for incredible whine! Plz gief cheez :3

- I have to commute 4 hours every day for another month (and a few days). Some days 5. Know how much time i sit on a train each week? 22 hours. That's a bit more than two workdays.

- I have to start searching for jobs soon. (Coming week). My girlfriend and I are currently living together. To keep continue doing that either one of us will have to find a job within 1-2 months time. End of june = we leave the old apartment.

- I / we might end up anywhere which is fun but also daunting. I try to make sure everything is ready for a journey abroad.

- Need to finish my portfolio. Problem: Got no time... I'm basically home and ready at 19:00 but by then i'm tired due to all the commuting so I can only work a little.

- I feel my portfolio is crapping crap of crapness deluxe. If I can't believe in me, why should the job provider? Sure I know I can deliver some ok enviro pieces but I can't find the time to create them and show it off.



There's a few more reasons but they aren't suited for anything else than behind the scenes messaging talk if you get me.


Well... see you around! Doctors appointment today / tommorow (depending on what time i get. A bit full it seems). Thanks for the help! I will at least try to go on some walks when i can. To do something.

[miezis]

that's right - sports or "active relaxation" is the key to dealing with stress. hormone serotonin is released after physical activities and it is responsible for regulating your mood and puts your body back on track.
have you noticed that after a day of biking or hiking you kinda feel good and satisfied with your self? - that's serotonin [and some other hormones] working :)

[Hito]

as far as job search goes, I'd say forget believing in yourself or not; just send to every place that you see; someone is bound to like what they see and give you some time and maybe an offer.

I realized finding work is largely due to luck; and sending your work everywhere increases your odds. After all you're not hiring yourself, why decide yourself first whether you can get hired or not at a company? Let them decide.

[Wahlgren]

Didnt mean it like that but you are correct in what you say :3

[onelung]

got a laptop? you do cg, 22 hours of cg time spent on a train! Other than that, heavy drinking is bound to help any problems... and then cause a ton :)

[Vailias]

I agree with the exercise comments. It really works well, you'll find yourself working better after taking the time to do anything physically active, even just a 45minute walk or clean your apartment, or pack for your move in 2 months time, anything physically active.

If you did not have stress issues with a stressful army post then it is highly likely that you respond well to physical exertion and possibly have type O blood. Grab some sushi or something. ;)

[Jido]

Oink, I'm in the same boat.
DEC-My car was stolen, and found 3 days later (Gas Light was on at the time), the week before Christmas.
JAN-Tried to sell my dog, but was wrongfully arrested because buyer sent me counterfeit. My part-time job and the Bank happen to be on the same property, so I lost my job due to the ban from the property.
FEB-Found out landlord foreclosed on my place in jan, without letting me know.
MAR-My car broke down, becuase 1-1/2 years ago I had to replace the engine and mechanic used the wrong bolts to keep engine in place. I went to get a loaner from Dad and was hit by a deer coming home, patched it with plastic and tape, then rear-ended the next morning. These events prevented my DomWar2 entry.
APR-Upgraded to Maya 8.5 and I'm still getting crap with transparency in the hardware/real-time renderer.

Could anything make my stress any worse.

Look at this in humor rather than sympathy, becuase I found a much better place to rent with $500 help from the foreclosing bank; car was fixed for $100 by a Car Genius who happens to have a drug problem; I'm got my business license for $25, and also can get my other job back within a month; Downloaded Blender and all the other 3D apps that start with "M" for Free to solve this transparency problem; and the "stress relief" I get from my wife is Priceless.

Dancing foolishly to my favorite music and mocking gimmicky rap artist is a good way to relieve stress, at least for me it is.

[Wahlgren]

got a laptop? you do cg, 22 hours of cg time spent on a train! Other than that, heavy drinking is bound to help any problems... and then cause a ton :)

I actually bought a laptop recently for this but the main problem with that is, The train is so goddamn wobbly that if I work on it, my ctrl z buttons will split in half.

But yeah, sometimes I pull it up and do a little work.


Vailias: Possibly. I did find my zen when I was setting up the home cinema the other day (cleaning the room. dragging big speakers, putting things on walls etc) :)

Gods Phoenix: Ouch ouch ouch. Oh man. Yeah wife's and girlfriends are great to have. If I didn't have mine... well... who knows where I would be now. :o

Good to see that you have it sorted out (or starting to sort it out :).


Ps: The doctors appointment was nice. She said it could be anything between stress, infections or irritation... among other things. Some a bit more nasty :p

Now they've taken a few tests on me... one which left a really big bruise on my arm. It's long and very thick. Don't know how the hell they managed that but oh well.

[FredH]

ouch man, what did they do to you in there:eek: Hope you will get better soon.

Personally, I always like to think a lot. I can stare into nothing and be perfectly happy. However, when I was young, this somewhat turned into a problem. If I got stressed or in a bad mood, I would focus on it to the point where my health would quickly deteriorate. I know you probably heard this dumb saying before "think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts! etc" well, it actually does work. These days, when everything looks gloomy, and stress starts to get me down, I force myself to think about something else.. something nice (naruto:p, my dog, vacation spots, certain things, certain people etc).

Anyways, like Gods Phoenix said, try to find the humor in things. A lot of bad things happen and it's all too easy to focus on these demoralizing events. I only hope that in the near future, more good things will happen to you and that you will get better soon, either through thinking happy thoughts, exercising, or having your luck turn from bad to good:)

Hang in there man:)

[miezis]

yeah, you could run around the train screaming "NARUTOOOO SH*PNDEN" - that will clear most of the stress :D

[Asmuel]

There's a lot of text in this page, and Im no good at readin so sorry If my answers are the same as everyone elses.

Dont think of this as a rut when your work life isnt great, you could think of it as a time to concentrate on your love life, and other parts of your life. It is an oppertunity to spend time together with your GF, do cool stuff and enjoy life together when you dont have deadlines looming and work to do. You can go on day trips together, take her out to dinner, and do fun stuff. Also, root her lots :thumb:

Also you can do stuff with your mates, get drunk, play games and all that stuff. Work isnt the be all and end all of your life. Right now you have a oppertunity that you will be DESPERATLEY wanting when your knee deep in work when your work life comes together, which I am sure it will.

Another thing I have found as a workaholic. Stress doesnt make you more productive, it just fucks you up. Its honestly true, some of the most productive times in my career have been the times Im most calm, because I realised I am already doing all that I can. As long as your working the correct hours and heading in the right direction your doing the right thing, so dont worry. Its hard to convince someone of that but if you just give it a try it might work.

My 2c, hope some of that was constructive :inocent:

[_Vincento_]

Oink I think I find the solution, :D
Just play Sumotori Dream (http://web.t-online.hu/archee83/sumotori/)
this is awesome...

With the hope u are now better as it does already a week ;)

[Wahlgren]

Hehe cheers. Crazy game i'll give you that ;)

Well guys. I feel alot better than I did a week ago. Sure I might get a few minor episodes of stomach pain etc every now and then but nothing like last week.

So Monday = back to work! Got a month left at their place. Better make it count :)

Now I just have to finish the damn portfolio and send it out so I can get hired as a junior artist somewhere / anywhere . Hell, I'll work for minimum wage as long as I get some money. I'll be out on my ass if not :)

Anyway, this thread is full of good advice. I suggest that you keep writing for the sake of the others ;)



PS: Haven't gotten one of the tests back from the doctor yet. One of them was ok, no problems there.

[Asmuel]

Glad to hear your feeling better :thumb:

Good luck with finding a job :). I happen to be born in a part of the world that has almost no jobs and is surrounded by water :mad: so I understand what its like to struggle in the industry as a relative newcomer. But if work hard you'll find a position somewhere that will suit you, best of luck :thumb:

[ChrRambow]

I had similar problems some time ago ... but i've found some easy solutions.

When stress starts i am going out immediately and walking around a littlebit.
Even when i got a short deadline on projects. Some breeze of fresh air and
some fast walking ... are doing wonders.

One good thing is, that i am working at home and our cat's seems to get
a stress detector... they come by and starting to talking to me... ok like a cat can talk ... some sort of vocalization ;)

TV is great to come down too ... i usually don't like watching TV but
every Wednesday evening i am watching "Boston Legal" ... it has become
some sort of ritual ... sitting together with my girlfriend, having a meal,
drinking my favourite wine or scotch and laughting.

Try to find some highlights for every day ... that will help a lot.

When you do not have time or the patience to do some cg ... just play a
game ... or make some doodles in a skechbook to collect ideas or
to find new ideas.

I hope some of them will help you.