Stress... well, what can I say about it? Life's stresses are certainly enough to handle all their own, but adding a disease to the mix only complicates things further. I've never been very good with stress management, to be honest with you.

My escape used to be Shotokan Karate... and then IBD took that dream from me. These days I relieve stress by blogging. Talking with friends and helping them deal with their stresses helps a little.

Prayer gets me through the most stressful days. Having friends to lean on and talk to also helps... which is why I would recommend some sort of tight-knit support.

I have also been known to draw out my emotions. There's something so satisfying about putting pencil to paper and just sketching. I've done it many times and it really helps.

Also, snuggling my cat, Mr. Darcy. It's true! Owning a pet can reduce stress. Also, there's something so soothing about a cat's purr.

What are some things that help you relieve stress?