Stress Relief or Bad Idea???

nokia16601 · January 16, 2006, 02:48 AM

Now im sure none of you want to hear about my personal life, so ill sum this up very quickly. Im having a rough year. I haven't taken my shotgun out in a long time(never while upset/angry/etc) Is it a bad idea to go shooting while upset, or will it actually help relieve some of my stress(at least temporarily)??

radshop · January 16, 2006, 03:08 AM

Sorry to hear about your situation, bro. I can perhaps relate somewhat, though I'm never going to give the old "I know what you're going through" crap - I don't.

I frequently go shooting to relieve stress and frustration (in my case handgun mostly, although starting to get back into shotgun). I don't necessarily recommend this for you - you have to know yourself. I know myself, and I am (1) very well steeped in firearms safety and (2) not likely to do something stupid with a gun even when I'm upset. When I'm shooting for stress relief, I am very disciplined and shoot a lot of rounds in a very controlled manner - never blasting out of control to let off steam.

NDTerminator · January 16, 2006, 09:29 AM

Go out and bust a couple rounds of clays. You'll feel a heckuva lot better...

UziAnnie · January 16, 2006, 10:05 AM

I go to the range, where I can be monitored and do a lot of very controlled shooting. You must realize that only you can know how you will react. Safety is the utmost key. We have MP5's to rent. After unloading several mags, I feel much better.

Full-auto and control does it for me!

44hollowpoint · January 16, 2006, 11:46 AM

From personal experience, the smell of cordite always raises the spirits.

Go and split some stumps and I'm sure you'll feel better...

Bobshouse · January 16, 2006, 12:58 PM

Nokia, without knowing your personality, I couldn't really make that decision for you. I have a friend that really can't control his temper when he gets mad, he breaks his furniture, punches holes through walls, etc..etc. Having a gun in his hands during one of his tantrums would probably end in disaster.

You say your having a bad year...any thoughts of suicide? How much easier life would be if you didnt have those worries or problems? I know you wouldn't want to admit to or deny this on a group discussion forum, but again, a good reason to stay away from firearms.

You might want to seek medical help. They have stuff out that will help anxiety, depression or just about anything. Hope you get over your problems, just remember, nothing is as bad as you make it to be...

Bob

Twycross · January 16, 2006, 02:04 PM

At least for me, just about anything that takes my mind off my problems will produce a temporary relaxation. So yes, go shoot. Take a day hike. Split stumps. Build a bench out of scrap wood. And good luck.

Mastrogiacomo · January 16, 2006, 02:47 PM

Shooting always makes me feel better but it's always more fun to take a friend along. I hate shooting alone.

rugerdude · January 16, 2006, 03:38 PM

As long as you're doing everything safely, I say go ahead and go shooting. Releasing all that energy that comes from a firearm does wonders (for me) for relieving stress.

If you just need to blow off some steam, go to the range. If you feel like you need to do more than blow off some steam, I'd say shooting a gun A) Isn't going to help much, and B) is probably not a good idea.

Only you know you, but it's always best to er on the side of caution.

walter in florida · January 16, 2006, 08:34 PM

A few years ago my wife was in the hospital a total of 3 month, one month in critical care unit were just about every one was passing away. So I went down to the shooting range and bought me a SA-22 revolver. I took it out on the target and did pretty good. It did me some good and got my mind off my wife critical condition. She sitting in front of the TV now. What I am saying get some clay pigons and shoot the H@77 out of them, I think it will do you some good. BE SAFE.

parrothead2581 · January 27, 2006, 08:29 PM

My mother passed away last January, a week ago this past Monday actually. She was 49, I'm 24. I began looking for something to do, to help me pass the time, and get away from graduate school textbooks. I had always wanted to start target shooting and took a trip to the local range here. The rest I history. Between May and December, I was given my first ever guns last year and bought 2 myself. For myself, shooting is just one of many things I can do to relieve, and even help prevent stress and anxiety. Know your limits, control you emotions, take a friend, be safe and have some fun!

bobeyerite · January 27, 2006, 10:41 PM

Nokia, I would say go to the trap range and turn as many of those clay birds into dust as you can. I have seen many shooters relieve stress that way and it works. The best part is you hurt no-one and you can have some fun also.

Hoss Fly · January 27, 2006, 11:52 PM

It Works For Me -------------

January 16, 2006, 02:48 AM	#1
nokia16601 Member Join Date: January 13, 2006 Posts: 29	Stress Relief or Bad Idea??? Now im sure none of you want to hear about my personal life, so ill sum this up very quickly. Im having a rough year. I haven't taken my shotgun out in a long time(never while upset/angry/etc) Is it a bad idea to go shooting while upset, or will it actually help relieve some of my stress(at least temporarily)??

January 16, 2006, 09:29 AM	#3
NDTerminator Member Join Date: January 8, 2006 Posts: 59	Go out and bust a couple rounds of clays. You'll feel a heckuva lot better... __________________ To my great mortification, my father once told me; "you care nothing but for dogs, shooting, and rat catching, you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family" Charles Darwin

January 16, 2006, 10:05 AM	#4
UziAnnie Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 120	I go to the range, where I can be monitored and do a lot of very controlled shooting. You must realize that only you can know how you will react. Safety is the utmost key. We have MP5's to rent. After unloading several mags, I feel much better. Full-auto and control does it for me! __________________ I am not your typical old librarian!

January 16, 2006, 11:46 AM	#5
44hollowpoint Member Join Date: May 31, 2005 Location: Cotswolds, UK Posts: 16	From personal experience, the smell of cordite always raises the spirits. Go and split some stumps and I'm sure you'll feel better... __________________ A .44 Magnum beats four Aces everytime...

January 16, 2006, 02:04 PM	#7
Twycross Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 1,187	At least for me, just about anything that takes my mind off my problems will produce a temporary relaxation. So yes, go shoot. Take a day hike. Split stumps. Build a bench out of scrap wood. And good luck. __________________ The test of character is not 'hanging in' when you expect light at the end of the tunnel, but performance of duty, and persistence of example when you know no light is coming. - Vice Admiral James Stockdale, USN (ret.)

January 16, 2006, 03:08 AM	#2
radshop Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Posts: 84	Sorry to hear about your situation, bro. I can perhaps relate somewhat, though I'm never going to give the old "I know what you're going through" crap - I don't. I frequently go shooting to relieve stress and frustration (in my case handgun mostly, although starting to get back into shotgun). I don't necessarily recommend this for you - you have to know yourself. I know myself, and I am (1) very well steeped in firearms safety and (2) not likely to do something stupid with a gun even when I'm upset. When I'm shooting for stress relief, I am very disciplined and shoot a lot of rounds in a very controlled manner - never blasting out of control to let off steam.

January 16, 2006, 12:58 PM	#6
Bobshouse Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2000 Location: CalaBANALLGUNSifornia Posts: 336	Nokia, without knowing your personality, I couldn't really make that decision for you. I have a friend that really can't control his temper when he gets mad, he breaks his furniture, punches holes through walls, etc..etc. Having a gun in his hands during one of his tantrums would probably end in disaster. You say your having a bad year...any thoughts of suicide? How much easier life would be if you didnt have those worries or problems? I know you wouldn't want to admit to or deny this on a group discussion forum, but again, a good reason to stay away from firearms. You might want to seek medical help. They have stuff out that will help anxiety, depression or just about anything. Hope you get over your problems, just remember, nothing is as bad as you make it to be... Bob

January 16, 2006, 02:47 PM	#8
Mastrogiacomo Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,297	Shooting always makes me feel better but it's always more fun to take a friend along. I hate shooting alone.

January 16, 2006, 03:38 PM	#9
rugerdude Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2004 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,443	As long as you're doing everything safely, I say go ahead and go shooting. Releasing all that energy that comes from a firearm does wonders (for me) for relieving stress. If you just need to blow off some steam, go to the range. If you feel like you need to do more than blow off some steam, I'd say shooting a gun A) Isn't going to help much, and B) is probably not a good idea. Only you know you, but it's always best to er on the side of caution. __________________ "The SKS is a rifle, made the way they should be, out of a heavy block of crappy commie steel, set in an inletted semi-reshaped 2x4." Not my quote but I agree completely.

January 16, 2006, 08:34 PM	#10
walter in florida Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2005 Location: Seminole County, Florida Posts: 240	A few years ago my wife was in the hospital a total of 3 month, one month in critical care unit were just about every one was passing away. So I went down to the shooting range and bought me a SA-22 revolver. I took it out on the target and did pretty good. It did me some good and got my mind off my wife critical condition. She sitting in front of the TV now. What I am saying get some clay pigons and shoot the H@77 out of them, I think it will do you some good. BE SAFE.

January 27, 2006, 08:29 PM	#11
parrothead2581 Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Posts: 1,268	My mother passed away last January, a week ago this past Monday actually. She was 49, I'm 24. I began looking for something to do, to help me pass the time, and get away from graduate school textbooks. I had always wanted to start target shooting and took a trip to the local range here. The rest I history. Between May and December, I was given my first ever guns last year and bought 2 myself. For myself, shooting is just one of many things I can do to relieve, and even help prevent stress and anxiety. Know your limits, control you emotions, take a friend, be safe and have some fun!

January 27, 2006, 10:41 PM	#12
bobeyerite Junior Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Location: Spokane, WA. Posts: 10	Nokia, I would say go to the trap range and turn as many of those clay birds into dust as you can. I have seen many shooters relieve stress that way and it works. The best part is you hurt no-one and you can have some fun also. __________________ "Find The Bird Tony." Watching a good birddog hunt birds, is like watching poetry in motion. I may have grown old, but I have not grown-up yet.

January 27, 2006, 11:52 PM	#13
Hoss Fly Junior member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: East Texas Posts: 849	It Works For Me -------------