[Locked from Emperor Peony]

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

I'm not normally one for asking this community things, but I suppose it can't hurt to try...

Tell me, how do you deal with a stressful situation? Preferably in a manner that does not involve alcohol, as that has already been tried with... not the intended results, to say the least. More importantly, what do you do when a friend is dealing with a stressful situation and won't accept your help? Any sort of advice would be greatly appreciated.



[Locked to Jade]

Colonel Jade, how have you been holding up? The Emperor is worried about you, you know.

[/Locked]

Comments

[arballistic.livejournal.com]

Alcohol is an ineffective and dangerous coping mechanism. Physical exertion often works to release excess energy and clear the mind.

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

You mean exercise, in other words? I'm afraid the person in question doesn't have much in the way of free time to do such a thing.

[arballistic.livejournal.com]

Not even in the name of training? That's always a worthwhile activity to make time for.

[the-air-corsair.livejournal.com]

It depends, young man. What kind of situation?

As for your friend, try to help in a way he won't notice until much later.

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

I'm not at liberty to give many details, but let's just say that there are political and personal problems involved.

I'm not sure what I can do for him at the moment that won't be noticed.

[the-air-corsair.livejournal.com]

Perhaps anonymously leave some food and drink at his door? Political situations are never easy. They require compromise, in many cases.

[as-nobility.livejournal.com]

....You went out for a drink, General Frings? I'd thought you'd be busier than that.

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

... I'm afraid it was my idea, to get his mind off things.

[as-nobility.livejournal.com]

....His Majesty, I'm guessing?

[Locked]

[enemy-or-ally.livejournal.com]

"Holding up"? I'd thought that term was only used when describing someone who was actually under pressure.

[Locked]

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

You've certainly looked tired the last few times I've seen you.

[Locked]

[enemy-or-ally.livejournal.com]

Well, what do you expect from a man my age?

[tokugirl.livejournal.com]

Take them out to dinner!

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

If only it were that simple.

[tokugirl.livejournal.com]

The easiest way to a man's heart is through a good meal. ♥

[attorneyatlol]

I've found there's no real easy answer to that question.

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I'm finding that out for myself.

[attorneyatlol]

Yeah... Well, I've been told I have a tendency to overdo it sometimes, so maybe I'm not the best person to give out this kind of advice, but I think the trick to it is in knowing when to back off. It's possible they don't realize they need help or they're too stubborn to admit it, so sometimes you have to keep pushing until they give in.

Other times... all you can do is be there.

[thricedeadwind.livejournal.com]

Often, stress is caused by situations which surround you. By dealing with those situations, the mere act of working towards the goal in question may help to relieve the stress you or your friend experiance. If nothing else, keeping one's self busy will also keep one's self from brooding overmuch upon issues outside his or her control.

I would not advise alcohol in most circumstances. Avoiding the problem will do nothing to alleviate that which troubles you or your friend.

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

You'd be correct about the alcohol. That was... somewhat of a bad idea, though it did provide a temporary distraction. My friend is certainly keeping himself busy, and that's what worries me. I'm afraid he's pushing himself too hard.

The problem lies partly in that a friend of his is very ill. There isn't much that can be done about that.

[pow-hammer.livejournal.com]

Have you tried talking to the person? I find that really helps me sometimes when I'm upset.

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

He's not really in the mood for much discussion, it seems.

[and-dont-blink.livejournal.com]

[fontechfan.livejournal.com]

If the person is who I think it is, why not see if they want to go for a nice long walk to get out of the palace for a little? I think it would do you both some good.

[Locked]

[malkuth-general.livejournal.com]

He hasn't left the palace at all in days. That's part of why I'm worried.