Stress with RA! What do you do to shake it off?
Stress is a killer, everyone knows that but for people like us with RA, stress is even worse. It can trigger our illnesses and make an already bad situation even worse! Then we even get stress worrying about stress! Talk about a double whammy. So I'm here to ask what is THE thing. YOUR thing. The thing that lets you turn off the world and release the stress. For me, it's Futurama. I can watch the episodes again and again when my world feels like it's kerploding all around me. What's yours? Music? Movies? Sex? Eating 50000 marshmallows and then singing "You are my sunshine?" Whatever it is let's hear it, the weirder the better.
When I get super stressed, I will either pick a spot in my house to clean OR I will veg out while streaming a movie or series. Cleaning helps me use up some physical energy and helps me feel like I accomplished something. Streaming helps me escape to a new, temporary reality.
Wendyhawk
I get quiet and clean to reduce stress. It's like tuning out the noises of the world.
, I will also veg out!
we definitely need to make sure we don’t overdo the cleaning. Sometimes it is hard to know that line each time since it shifts.
I’m currently watching a few series. Shogun on Hulu. The Regime on MAX. And Sweet Tooth on Netflix. All are quite interesting.
Thank You for your kind comment. Just another warrior here to help support others. 
You're most welcome! Thanks for being here. -Effie, team member
I’m fortunate to live in the desert SW with a pool in the backyard. So for 8-9 months of the year (even though I am newly Dx) I swim. Swimming is my happy place. Good days I can do 30-40 laps, bad days maybe 10-15. But being in the water helps mind and body.
Swimming is so wonderful! I keep planning to use the pool at my job but somehow I never find the time when I am there. I love going to the beach in the summer. Swimming helps me take away stress too, and is my main exercise. I jump in the pool a couple times a day or in the ocean. Only warm enough about 6 months a year here in North Myrtle Beach. I'm thinking about getting a wet suit for the cold months!
Thanks Daniel, it is a joy for me. And it does help physically but also mentally. 
Hi
. For my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), aqua therapy is a real game changer. She notices everything gets better when she can get to the pool on a regular basis. When she was recently doing therapy at a local hospital pool they did some strength and motion measurements before and then after just 10 sessions the repeated measurements were significantly improved. Do you notice a difference when you cannot get in the pool? Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) yes, both physically and mentally. The pool doing swimming and pool yoga has made a big difference
