A lot of stress lately.

[Melchior]

Now I know this place hasn't been posted in for a LONG time, but I really need some help. Between family problems, school, and problems with my friends, I can't seem to find any time to relax. It seems that every time I go to sit down I start thinking about all the problems going on and whatnot. Could you guys please send me some good energy/vibes/prayers?

[Xanth]

Hi Melchior,

It doesn't really sound like you need our energy...
It sounds like you need to work out a schedule to give yourself more time to relax. 

And then during that downtime you need to learn how control your thoughts so you're not harassed by them when you do sit down.

[blis]

I dont know how all this healing and sending prayers stuff works.

If I spend 5 minutes on, 'May Melchior find time to relax' when I'm meditating will that be any help?

[Melchior]

Thanks for letting me know, Xanth. The only area I'm even slightly familiar with on the forum is the projection place. I have no idea what I can ask for here. As a side note, I also have no idea about the whole sending energy deal lol.

[Xanth]

Ask whatever you need to ask here.
It'll either get moved to a more appropriate area... where you'll then get answers.
Or you'll just get answers right away. 

[personalreality]

I'm actually doing a research project for psych right now where I'm looking at the effects of mindfulness (meditation, being in the moment, etc.) on perceived-stress.  Well, what I'm really researching is if people who have a lot of perceived stress have much natural mindfulness.  Nevertheless, the evidence is literally overwhelming.  Meditation and mindfulness is almost a stress cure. 

Spend a few minutes each day just being aware of yourself and your environment.  Don't think about the past or future, just be in the moment.  If you make a habit of it, you find yourself doing it regularly throughout the day and it really makes you feel a lot more relaxed.

[Stookie]

It's OK to sit and be mindful of what stresses you out. If you let it come up and maybe think about why it stresses you so much, yet take deep breaths and stay relaxed while you're pondering, you can take some of the stress out of the thought. Take the negative thought's power away and get to the source of the stress.

Sometimes when I start to meditate and I have a lot of stuff on my mind like that, I think through it for a bit, and then the intruding thoughts become less and less pressing until I can fully relax without my stresses interrupting and get to the "present moment".

[personalreality]

stress reactions are more intense when one adheres to emotion-focused coping, ie trying to emotionally cope with the stress, trying to calm yourself down.  problem-focused coping (which is what stookie is talking about) is much more effective at stress reduction.  instead of concerning yourself with the emotional stuff, think through the problem and analyze the different angles.

separate from that, just being mindful of your experience on a daily basis can help you to be more problem-focused and less emotionally-focused.