I focus I want I can control. Because there's a hell of a lot that is out of my control. And lots if limitations and restrictions. Within the limitations and restrictions, what can I choose to do that I would enjoy the most? Keep doing that repeatedly.

I overthink stuff but once I get to a certain point I have the ability to let it go.

smoke dope and try to see the middle.

I try to keep things in perspective and not be overly concerned with materialism as a lot of stress seems to come of material possessions and the fear of losing them. Each morning when I waking up I remind myself what a pleasant surprise it is to have made it through another night, even though I went to bed expecting to wake up this morning I didn't imagine it to be a given either.
I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my belly and in the cupboard - I'm doing better than half the people on this little mudball, spinning through space. I like a lot of people and love a very few, I am a fortunate person.
'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and Always Remember That at the End of the Day, It's Pretty Much All Small Stuff'

It’s not only in times of stress that religious people turn to their faith but rather it is a pervasive way of life--: when they are happy they rejoice in the faith and when things are normal they are steadfast in the faith. And I don’t know why things shouldn’t be the same for any secular worldview. That is, I don’t know why we should need an “ace in the hole” any more than religious people do.

I try to separate the minor irritations from the more serious for starters. Then I separate the ones I can control, from the ones that I am powerless to control... when you do that you find that you can focus on solving the serious issues and the rest usually resolve themselves . I’m not a worrier by nature and tend to be optimistic and resilient, so in that respect I think I’m probably luckier than some. I’ve certainly had my share of sorrow and grief, but acceptance that it’s all part of life’s panoply of good and bad happenings tends to put it into perspective. Life is not all happiness and light, but in order to appreciate the highs we must also experience the lows. Even in my lowest moments I have never thought of calling on a higher power for help, knowing that it’s by my own inner strength and resolve that I will get past whatever I feel at that time. I do however, believe in the strength gained from the love and help of close friends and family, and the old aphorism “a problem shared is a problem halved”.

Stoicism: worrying only about things under my control eliminates 90% of the stress.
The other 10%?
I've discovered WORRYING (about something potentially happening) is the stress.
When the worst DOES happen, a deadly calm comes over me, I'm able to think clearly and dispassionately and zero in on exactly what needs to be done.
I still worry about areas of concern, but only to pinpoint dangers, so I can prevent dangerous situations from hemorraghing into their worst forms.
So damage control is also much easier.
Usually, I find, really bad things are unforeseeable and unpreventable. Free-floating anxiety is therefore futile and extremely counterproductive.

I've found that stress makes everything feel harder and more out of my control. There are many therapeutic things, like reading, meditation, exercise, and journaling that can help lessen stress and its effects, but I also find that it's beneficial to take control of something small, some minor activity, to feel less powerless and overwhelmed. Finding some easy task, like straightening up my desk or planning out the week ahead, can be really empowering.

I've also found that when I'm stressed I tend to focus on myself too much, living in my head and obsessing over every little thing. In those cases, it's helped me to focus on something external. It might be something creative, like a crafting project, or it might be centered on other people, like volunteer work. I don't practice artwork much these days, though I ought to get back into drawing. I volunteer as a mediator and conflict coach and spend a lot of time training in various forms of dispute resolution, and that helps give me a sense of purpose and helps me place my own stress aside as I shift my attention to the needs of others.

I have also adopted a laissez-faire approach to life, to some degree anyway. I still get more worked up than I should about things over which I have little or no control, but I remind myself that the views and actions of others are none of my concern unless they're truly, directly hurting someone. A difference of opinion, even of what I consider an abhorrent viewpoint, is merely perspective. Religion, politics, economic positions… I'm not going to change any minds. I watch less news, as I've seen firsthand what obsessing over it does to people. Whatever happens in the world will happen, with or without my consent; my vote is as much and as little as I have to contribute. Some people have influence, and their passion carries weight. Mine does not. I've accepted that, and I'm far more at peace as a result. I have far to go, but I think I've made progress.

How we feel is directly correlated to what we think. When someone says "Oh, you should try meditation!" when your stress levels are through the roof, the natural response is to want to throw that person out a window.

1. Stress is physiological and the biochemical response is to produce plasma lactate and also raise cortisol levels (known as the stress hormone).

2. To counter this stress response you can trigger dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins, which are the "feel good" chemicals in the brain, with EXERCISE.

3. Many old-school doctors won't tell you that healthy gut flora is hugely responsible for mental health. Stress and anxiety can be reduced with a probiotic supplement and a healthy diet, low in sugar and processed foods.

4. Try meditation. Before you throw me out the window, I will tell you that meditation cannot be thought of as a practice to quiet the mind when you're stressed. Forget it! The noise will get louder. It is a practice to be in the moment with your thoughts, whatever they are and observe them. I highly recommend the "waking up" app by Sam Harris, as he doesn't use that breathy, annoying fairy dust voice that you hear in most of what's available.

5. When possible, cut out the source if your stress. Don't commit a murder, but sometimes a simple "fuck off" will do.

6. ADD laughter to what you watch and listen to and cut out violence and dark subject matter. This should have been #1.

7. Hug a pet or an accessible, quarantine approved human, who doesn't fit the description in point #5. This helps release the happy chemical quartet.

Good luck!

Stress? What - Me Worry ?

Violence.

No, not really. Risk is more accurate, and just risk to myself generally.

I miss risk. I extreme skied professionally around the world for a living for 1/2 my adult life, and had lots of fun risk. But now I live in Vermont, cute hills but no real risk. So . . . being a geek, I'm now immersing myself in risk with dangerous science play. High voltages, radioactivity, very strong magnets, strong lasers, powerful chemicals . . . these are now my risky stress relievers. Not as good of exercise as extreme skiing, but hits some of the same psychological buttons!

Fishing

Well, I’ve developed “antisocial personality disorder” (sociopathy) apparently, I don’t exactly recommend it though it does have its upsides lol yes I’m more open about it now, which might be a mistake, but being around 1 in 25 have it (approximately) I think it’s time to shake the stigmas.

Take them on with renewed effort, calmness and wit, and beat the shit out of them.

Honestly one of the reasons I reconverted from Christianity was that I tried hypnosis one time and it did me more good than 2 years of praying in church. I became a hypnotist myself and listen to hypnosis daily. I’ve never felt more happy and confident.

I have several ways I deal with stress. First is research. I research different aspects of Christianity in particular the history etc . It helps to keep my mind focused and away from what is bothering me.

Playing guitar is really helpful though I haven't played enough to remember much anymore.

Sometimes I will smoke a bit and play video games with the kids.

The fourth and my favorite is when my girlfriend is home. Lets just say that her pillows are a great place to lay my head, while she holds me. My happy place.

I realize this moment of consciousness is all I will ever have. I'd prefer to enjoy it. Of course, good beer, or wine (love reds), can help. And some mellow weed if I could find it. But a good conversation is the absolute cure.