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Dive under the covers, pull them over my head, and hide from the world. Well, that's what I want to do anyway. 
Seriously, I have a medical condition where I'm prone to depression and anxiety and I do not handle stress well......it makes the other two problems much, much worse. So, along with medication to help keep me on an even keel, I have learned that sometimes I just have to stop and step back a bit (that being said, I need to remember my own advice too. 
). That's easier said than done, when there are demands on your time that you just can't shake. But if possible, try to eliminate something from your plate. Delegate something to someone else (at least temporarily) or just plain say, "I'm sorry, but I've all I can handle right now." It's amazing that just one responsibility off your shoulders for a bit can make everything else so much easier to handle. And also, there is nothing wrong with taking a mild antidepressant if it's needed. My advice there though, is to see a psych doctor for something like this instead of an MD. My experience has been that the MD's doen't have enough specific knowledge here and tend to hand out meds like Zoloft and Prozac like they're candy to put a bandaid on the problem.......and sometimes make things worse in the process as these meds should never be prescribed to just anyone......they have some nasty side effects that can make the cure worse than the problem!
Sometimes just a good, cleansing cry helps.....along with crying on the shoulder of a friend, including your friends here on TT. (I did that myself about a week or two ago.....too much on my plate again and feeling very overwhelmed with it all )
I hope things settle down for you soon Daphne. Try to find a way to relieve some pressure....even if it's just a little bit. Sending hugs:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Past Time BearsYes, Daphne, we can empathize with your struggles as we all have them throughout our lives. Tom Cruise would surely come down hard on my choice of coping, but I don't think I'll be giving up my Paxil anytime soon. It certainly makes the intolerable something I can live with now. Of course, anti-depressants aren't for everyone, but they can be a life-saving strategy in times of crises. You have many excellent suggestions and one or more will, hopefully, help calm your soul. I'm thinking of you. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
PottersHouse BearsI remember something my brother said many years ago. "We are not put through the fire to be consumed, but to be refined." Also, you are never in the fire alone and you will make it through.
Teddy Bear and Friends- Walk, hard and fast, with headphones blaring music.
- Clean something. It sounds dumb, but having control over one room can help me get a grip on the things I can't control. Plus, the exercise bleeds off some of the tension.
- Bath, with candles, bubbles, wine, and a book.
- A small, selfish treat: I'm a make-up junky (you'd never know!), so $10 worth of eye shadow and lip gloss is a treat. Sometimes I take myself out to lunch at Panera and read a book for an hour. Or I pick out some new scrapbook supplies, or get an outrageous coffee at Starbucks. The point is something inexpensive but personal that lets me get out of the house, think of something totally different, and treat myself rather than worrying about everyone else (but without wrecking the budget or adding guilt to the emotional stew I'm trying to dissolve!).
Any of these pick-me-ups gives me an hour's respite so I can turn back to the problem with a bit of peace in my heart. I've got a card that says, "Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." Do whatever it takes to find your calm, whether that's chocolate, crying, walking, or talking, and it will be easier to deal with the problems.
Good luck!
Mindy
Back Road BearsI just got back from the groery store and guess what I bought myself (you all are thinking it's something chocolate!!)
I bought myself a dozen peach colored ROSES! They are BEAUTIFUL and reminding me to 'stop and smell the roses'!!!:)
Someone told me yesterday what she does to relieve stress.... she has a tempurpedic pillow and punches the heck out of it!!! She has small children so screaming into it was out of the question!
I got 10 hours of sleep last night and can think a bit more clearly now. I have 2 hours before I have to be a responsible adult again. Think I'll play in my very neglected garden. Yup, sun would me good! 
You guys are making the idea of 'goofing off' VERY appealing!!! Thanks! I need that!
Oh, had a long chat with God too..... got everything off my chest... and now feel that weight lifted! He's so Great!!
"In all things God works for the good in those that love him" Romans 8:28
Posts: 8,574
Never hurts to clean ......kinda symbolic in a way..... 
So terribly happily delightfully glad you are feeling better.....Yup! He is Great!!!!
love ya! 
dilu
Bine-TeddiesDear Daphne,
I'm so sorry to hear you are having a hard time again. I agree with what's been said. Take the dogs and cuddle up, eat chocolate, talk to someone who will listen, run and scream. Working in the garden seems like a good idea too. Roses, splendid! Go shopping, at least window shopping, in a florist shop (I remember you like that). Take "YOU time".
I sincerely hope things will get better from now on.
Lots of :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Daphne my heart goes out to you. Life can get so overwhelming. I think everyone gave awesome suggestions, but the key is to do them. You have to MAKE time for you, or else the stress will keep building. I know that's easier said than done. But, really think about the things that "need" to be done today......will the world end if they don't get done ? Is it worth your sanity.....Even if you can just take an hour and relax, cry , scream whatever, you'll feel better.
When I get really overwhelmed I go for a drive to the ocean with my Bible and read the psalms. Or take any book . I have a good cry and just either sit in the silence, or blast music in the car. I might only be there for 1/2 an hour but it feels so good to just "escape" . It clears my head and allows me to refocus a bit. Other times I head to the mall to window shop, but mostly I need to be alone AWAY from the house and family.
I hope you truly can find something that eases your stress a little. I know you want to please everyone, but learning to say NO and admitting that we just can't do anymore is so powerful and helpful sometimes. Hang in there Daph ! 
:hug:
Phil. 4 vs 6-7 is my saving grace sometimes.
Mountain Dreamer BearsAw, Daphne, :hug:
I'm sorry your going through such a tough time. Everyone has given you a lot of wonderful advice and I can't really add much to what has already been said. For me change of scenery can do wonders. Music, sleep, exercise. These have all been good therapy at different times. Finding a tranquil place and spending some time just BEING, instead of DOING, even for a little while.
I hope things smooth out and your are feeling better soon.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Baird'sBears
Daphne, your pillow-punching friend who can't scream because she has little kids reminded me . . .
When I couldn't scream because of kids (and neighbors!), I used to sing. Really LOUD.
It's been a while, but I think I could still do the whole score of Phantom of the Opera from memory!
Back Road BearsI recall when I lived alone that I'd crank up some dance music and bounce around the place until I couldn't stand up any longer. Oh, wait, that's when I was in a GOOD mood! :doh: :crackup: I tended to listen to the ballads that made me cry when I was feeling blue.... or I'd watch a tear jerker movie. I was such a gluten for punishment! 
Just Us BearsDilu..your emails are always so heartfelt and so silly(naughty gollies and their antics!). How can we help but love you to bits! And we do! You put a bit of that childhood magic back into our days. THANKYOU! 
PaDaphne,
Sometimes it helps to stop and count the blessings, even small blessings in your life. ( I can't believe I'm telling this to you because when I get stressed and my husband tells me to think of the blessings in my life I just want to scream but, if I do stop and think about it , it does help some. It doesn't change the situation but it does make you realize that there is some good in your life. Sending you warm fuzzy bear hugs too. :hug:
Kathleen
Apple Dumpling DesignsI bought myself a dozen peach colored ROSES! They are BEAUTIFUL and reminding me to 'stop and smell the roses'!!!:)
What a wonderful, healthy, calorie free gift to give yourself. When I was married I almost always had fresh flowers in the house. They just made ME happy!!! I should start doing it again. I love fresh flower even if they are store bought.
Hugs...hope your day was better.
Shantell
Jellybelly Bearshey sweetie...I have nothing to add...lots of good advice here...other than that all i can send you is huge huge hugs and know that lots of people think of you and love you....(in a non freaky friendly way of course lol)
glad you have been doing some things for yourself to make you feel better...one day at a time..baby steps :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
xx sarah
Dear Daphne, some years are just crappy years--take it from me, I've lived through a lot of them!
Me too MUCH too many too mention....
I JUST CRY AND SOB UNTIL I CANT ANY MORE ... I MOAN AT GOD ... I EAT TOO MUCH... I SCREAM AND SHOUT... AND THEN TRY TO RELAX... IVE NOW LEARNED TO ALSO TAKE TIME OUT FOR ME AND JUST DO NOTHING... OR JUST DO THINGS I REALLY ENJOY ... JUST LET THE INNER CHILD LOOSE... 
I SINCERELY HOPE YOU ARE NOW FEELING MUCH BETTER NOW DAPHNE....
:hug: Lanie x
Chaska, MinnesotaHello Daphane:
Sometimes life is yucky…really, really yucky. You may be feeling like you are carrying all your troubles alone. You probably are taking care of so many things and others that you wonder who is taking care of you. Am I right?
Well from all the responses I am reading, you are not alone. You have your teddy bear friends right with you reaching out to help you off load those troubles.
I don't know you, I am new to Teddy Talk, but I can see in my minds eye a fellow human being is suffering and 43 people immediately came to support you. So no matter whath the world is dishing out with you, it looks to me, like you have friends ready to shoulder the tough times with you...
So I hope you feel better, eat some chocolate (studies show it is really very good for you). Dry your tears, take a deep breath and march forward when you feel you are ready.
Bear Hugs
Michelle
Back Road BearsThank you Michelle. And WELCOME to Teddy Talk! :hug:
It's because of those 43 people that I come here when I need ANYTHING!
It is indeed a wonderful feeling to know you are not alone!
And I agree chocolate is good... in moderation. But when you are diabetic and eat it like it's the only food on earth is can become a baaaaad thing! :doh:
Bears by EdieHi Daphne,
Sorry to hear that you are feeling under such a burden again. You've already gotten lots of great advice so about all I can add is a book I read that really changed my life. It is called "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. It mainly deals with learning to live in the present moment and has really taught me to quit fretting about the past and worrying about the future - here and now is all we REALLY have after all! We don't have to get through tomorrow or the next week or the next year, we only have to live the moment we are currently in.
Kiprie BearsHi Daphne, sorry for late post.. :redface: I'm sending you allots of hugs now～ :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Sleeping is good, and I love rose too ! they truly smell beautiful and makes us
feel good. 
Gentle big hugs
Marie
Back Road BearsEdie,
Very good advice.
I am indeed not only feeling stretched to the limits now but worry way too much about the future and those I love most.
Now someone needs to tell me how I quit carrying around the weight of the burdens of others. My mom is dealing with a lot right now and I feel for her. My neighbor's mother just had a stroke while visiting from florida and is now in a nursing home here. My neighbor is beside herself and I carry that weight too. Never mind my dad (we go back to Boston on Friday for more test for new debilitating pains - he's finally verbally admitted his time is short and it's really bringing him down) and my grandmother (we won't get into that!) and hubs who is over stressed and not well from his job that he can't seem to get out of. I carry all of this with me 24/7 and I know it's of little use and not doing me any good. But it's what I'm surrounded by... what am I supposed to do? I sit and sew and THINK... too much!!! :redface:
Hi Daphne,
Sorry to hear that you are going through some rough patches again.
Glad that you went out and bought yourself some pretty roses - always helps.
Have you thought about going to a yoga or Tai Chi class - might help you to relax.
I am sending hugs and love from across the sea and hope that life can be brighter
and happier for you.
Hugs
Carolyn
:hug: :hug:
Cleathero CreationsDaphne, I'm sorry you are down, I can strongly empathise.
I pulled back from the interent and from bears and everything and tried to concentrate on me.
I am now getting much needed sleep and a break from what has been a huge problem. I tried something easy to do that would bring a smile to my face and almost instant gratification well compared to bear making that is. I then faked it till I did start to feel better.
I am coming back slowly now and hope to be on the boards again soon discussing things with you and hope you will feel better for it as well.
Jellybelly BearsDaphne and Bronie too...huge hugs....I agree with what you say Bron (and welcome back hon)...fake it...do what you know you love even tho its a drag and slowly the spark comes back little by little..its a way to climb out of the darkness...I think you need to give yourself time to be sad without feeling guilty...I think thats important...allowing yourself to wollow for the time that you need...but then when you feel like enough is enough, baby steps back....it will get better!
again..huge hugs!!!
xx sarah
Back Road BearsBron, Glad you are back! I was concerned about you when there was no Bearwitched this month.
Taking time off the internet sounds like a good idea. I've been giving some seious thought to that! But I've decided to give up chocolate for a while instead... one thing at a time! I am going to 'schedule' computer time from now on as sitting for hours here is part of the reason I get nothing done and feel even more pressure!
I'm glad you are working through the things that have been going on in your life.
Hugs hugs,
Daphne
