What do Mormons do when they are sad?

[Guest powerja]

Thanks for many useful replies. Clearly, I should buy a cat!

[slamjet]

Thanks for many useful replies. Clearly, I should buy a cat!

Uhm, no, cats are useless

[Guest]

Get a dog instead. They're more sympathetic...

Yeah, dogs are pretty cool when you want somebody to listen to you whine and don't want to hear stupid things back in return. Only problem is - they gotta be let out once in a while and fed and watered.

But, seriously, taking care of something/someone is always a picker-upper. Because, it's hard to wallow on our own miseries when we are so needed. And dogs are perfect because they are so needy... unlike cats.

[slamjet]

Anatess, I'm starting to fall in love with you

[Guest]

Anatess, I'm starting to fall in love with you

[slamjet]

oh... my... word. I'm melting.

[Guest powerja]

Thanks so much. He is so handsome!

[Iggy]

Uhm, no, cats are useless

They are NOT. They just don't have any USE for people who don't like them AND dog lovers.

My cats comfort me- they also entertain me. I just love it when the little boy, Fred, jumps up on the sofa- head butts me in the side and then flips upside down and puts all he has into leaning into me. As soon as I touch him, he purrs and then falls asleep. Oh, BTW, Fred and his sister Ethel are 8 years old now. Ethel sleeps against my feet in bed. OR she sleeps laying on husbands hip!

Anatess- that is what I dislike about dogs, their neediness. I am the needy one. My cats let me be needy- and I love, love, love that they talk back at me.

[Guest]

Anatess- that is what I dislike about dogs, their neediness. I am the needy one. My cats let me be needy- and I love, love, love that they talk back at me.

They got you trained pretty good... one of these days you'll realize that they head butt you and cuddle you not because they think you need it... it's actually that they got an itch on their head and they knew you would rub it. When they're done with that, then off the couch they go chasing some imaginary rat or yarn or something with you completely off their minds. They got you so trained that you even unconsciously time your neediness to when they want their itch scratched.

:D:D

[slamjet]

They are NOT. They just don't have any USE for people who don't like them AND dog lovers.

My cats comfort me- they also entertain me. I just love it when the little boy, Fred, jumps up on the sofa- head butts me in the side and then flips upside down and puts all he has into leaning into me. As soon as I touch him, he purrs and then falls asleep. Oh, BTW, Fred and his sister Ethel are 8 years old now. Ethel sleeps against my feet in bed. OR she sleeps laying on husbands hip!

Anatess- that is what I dislike about dogs, their neediness. I am the needy one. My cats let me be needy- and I love, love, love that they talk back at me.

I'm scared to say anything

[Iggy]

then off the couch they go chasing some imaginary rat or yarn or something with you completely off their minds. :D:D

This is what I love about cats, they entertain themselves. I sit and watch them chasing imaginary what-evers. Ethel, nose to the ground, follows her 'prey' all across the floor, then pounces. Either she is really chasing tiny bugs, or she has the most vivid imagination! ME, even with a magnifying glass, I can't see what she is hunting.

I once had a cat that played with a small woolen glove for hours at a time. I had rolled the cuff up so that the glove looked like a small crown. She would toss that thing in the air, run off, then stalk it. Sit on it, then look calmly around her, get up and casually walk away. Stop. Look over her shoulder, then leap and pounce on it - "killing it". She also did the same to the small stuffed animals I gave her.

Actually, Fred prefers me to cup his head in my hand and just hold it there. If I scratch his head, or under his chin, or even down his spine- he will run off. He also likes for me to hold him with his head tucked under my chin. Ethel likes to have her head rubbed, not scratched. She also loves to be brushed. I can only hold out brushing her for an hour- she would prefer for me to do it all day!

[Guest]

This is what I love about cats, they entertain themselves. I sit and watch them chasing imaginary what-evers. Ethel, nose to the ground, follows her 'prey' all across the floor, then pounces. Either she is really chasing tiny bugs, or she has the most vivid imagination! ME, even with a magnifying glass, I can't see what she is hunting.

I once had a cat that played with a small woolen glove for hours at a time. I had rolled the cuff up so that the glove looked like a small crown. She would toss that thing in the air, run off, then stalk it. Sit on it, then look calmly around her, get up and casually walk away. Stop. Look over her shoulder, then leap and pounce on it - "killing it". She also did the same to the small stuffed animals I gave her.

Actually, Fred prefers me to cup his head in my hand and just hold it there. If I scratch his head, or under his chin, or even down his spine- he will run off. He also likes for me to hold him with his head tucked under my chin. Ethel likes to have her head rubbed, not scratched. She also loves to be brushed. I can only hold out brushing her for an hour- she would prefer for me to do it all day!

Yep. It's official. Very well trained.

:D:D

[slamjet]

Yep. It's official. Very well trained.

:D:D

[bcguy]

The effects of exercise really calms the body and mind

[Guest Alana]

When I'm tired and stressed from a normal day and want to unwind I have two main things I do. One is play a mindless game. Sometimes solitaire, some times bejewelled on the computer, or if I have a little more time and aren't as tired, a tower defense game. Those will entertain me for a short time and usually let my mind and body take a breather for a few moments. My all time favorite thing to relax, and I can do it way too much, is read. \

I've recently discovered my 6 year old gives awesome foot rubs. Unfortunately he only likes to do them for money, so I need to limit this as a go to method. I'd hit up my husband, but his hands crack and bleed from work, so he gets a reprieve...for now.

[HistoryLover]

I find writing helps me out. I thank God that He has given me the ability to write, allowing me to create different characters and new worlds. To me creating a story, whether it be a novel or a children's story, is an act of creation, helping me to feel closer to Heavenly Father.

[Guest powerja]

All good suggestions! I had to laugh about the foot rub. My year old niece has the same approach with her mother!

Thanks again,

[Madriglace]

Get a dog instead. They're more sympathetic...

Yeah, dogs are pretty cool when you want somebody to listen to you whine and don't want to hear stupid things back in return. Only problem is - they gotta be let out once in a while and fed and watered.

But, seriously, taking care of something/someone is always a picker-upper. Because, it's hard to wallow on our own miseries when we are so needed. And dogs are perfect because they are so needy... unlike cats.

Surprisingly cleaning my kennel is the best solution for me ... and grooming. I allow for 15 minutes of a personal pity party then get busy and power through it. When you live with a houseful of something (kids, dogs) there is really no time left over for feeling sorry for yourself. Of course Baskin Robins brownie sunday with peppermint ice cream and hot fudge did wonders a couple weeks ago when one of my babes (dog) crossed the rainbow bridge.

BTW dogs have people ... cats have staff.

[Blackmarch]

Dear Team Mates,

I have a question. I am an active single, position & recommend holding mormon but I do not yet have the coping skills of long-term mormons. I am a professor who studies how people cope with stress but I don't know how to do it myself. What is the mormon equivalent of coffee & alcohol? What do you do after a really bad day at work or finding out that you failed to get a job or made a bad mistake? I need some ideas of how to cope without drinking! Any suggestions most gratefully received! No chocolate or food suggestions though!

go out and help someone else.

[Matthew0059]

powerja, if you distill the answers you get here into their basic forms you'll find that many people's solutions utilize the same principle in different ways. That principle is work. Not the "work" as we think of it in the modern sense, but "work" in the spiritual sense. The Bible Dictionary says that prayer is a form of work. All acts of service are acts of work. Exercising, creating pieces of art, actively listening to music- all are various types of work that do two things: allow us to express our emotions and improving the state of our body, soul, and/or the world around us. Even meditation is a form of work (in fact, if done right, it is a very powerful tool to get in touch with one's spiritual self).

Reliance on substances for temporary physical stimulation only postpones the pain/stress. My advice is to take what you like to do and find a way to use it to help someone else, get more in touch with your spirit, or to beautify the world around you.

Also, when you hurt, let yourself cry. When the body is crying the soul is healing.

GOD bless.

[Guest tbaird22]

I go to the gym and work out or sometimes i just sit in the steam room and occasionally have a convo with a stranger. Another good one is just to play i need thee every hour in my room and fall asleep to it. My last ditch pick me up is to for a walk with my dog. The fresh air clears my head and my doggie is awesome:)

[swampgeek]

I know the original poster is single and that may account for the lack of this one, but do you folks have an aversion to SEX?

I know that the being single thing will blow this one, but getting married and then utilizing this method is awesome! I have seven kids (see how much stress I have had in my life) and beyond the "making" them portion, kids are incredible, the rolling in the yard with them, ball, laughing, and joy\tears they give you is indescribable.

And absolutely do all those other things too, reading the scriptures, praying, service, etc...Charity in all ways removes all the worldly stresses.

[Bini]

I've never turned to the bottle when upset. When I used to drink, I drank because I was already in a good mood, wanting to celebrate and have a good time. But when I'm feeling crummy or stressed, hubby always gives me a good rub down or massage, and it helps a ton! He's also a fantastic listener when I need to rant and rave. That helps a lot too when I need to get something that's been bugging me off my chest. Otherwise, keeping a positive and supportive network around me has always been key in picking myself up when I'm down. So if you have a spouse, family or friends that you can confide in and talk to, they're a great source to getting back up on your feet.