gcwait0902, I am most impressed by your response and your strength to share your story. Thanks for sharing. I agree, when we get distressed, it is usually not because of what happened but because we thought what happened was the worst thing that could happen.
I also liked (i think alka's) the suggestion about going to hospital. Basically the idea is to see people with a lot more problems and feeling better that you are really not in the worst situation. It basically ties into the previous point of changing your perspective.
I have heard a lot about yoga and meditation and I am sure it works for many people, but I have not tried so cannot say much.
I believe pleasure is the opposite of stress. So the equation is simple. Do something that gives you pleasure. It will cut stress like acid cuts grease. The trick is to find a continuous stream of pleasure. "Go out and have fun" kind of activities are indeed good stress releivers but unfortunately they are temporary and serve at most as distraction and not cure. In that respect, I do agree an exciting, trusting, intimate relationship (not just sex) can cut down stress because you can draw from it.
My suggestion will be to try public service. Helping sick people in hospital, helping homeless kids, disabled people, or simply volunteer work for school or other social organization. Not by writing checks or sending food. But go there and spend time and help people in person. The idea is to help people because you can. Because you have the strength. I can do it because I have the capability and the other person does not. However bad it may sound but it serves a selfish purpose. It makes you feel better about yourself. It makes you feel you achieved something. And then after a while you start drawing pleasure out of helping others. Guess what, it works.
My $0.1999...
by the way, anita, pets may have worked for you. and i can see why. i love dogs as watching them play is a lot of fun. but when i think of cleaning their 'surprises', i really get stressed out.
i would like to reduce some stress by going to a friends place and playing with their dogs