Taming Stress
(I hope Paula is reading this, cuz she may have some answers for me.) I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping. My head hits the pillow, and I'm out like a light. But within 45 minutes, I'm awake and tossing and turning. Oh...and did I mention...my pimples? EEK! I do Yoga once a week, but need to find some other ways to tame this stress. Any ideas? |
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| running or other aerobic exercise helps. |
| Deb, I find excercise to be very helpful in taming stress, too. Maybe pick up a Zumba class or something similar that can get you moving. That should help you sleep better. I'd say "don't worry", but I know how difficult that is to do (or not do).
((Hugs)) |
| Exercise is a great form of stress management, just be sure to do it early in the day or it can actually hpe you up and keep you awake.
As part of my Cardiac Rehab program I teach a brief mosule on Stress Manangement and one of the most important things about SM is that you practice it EVERY DAY. Once a week is not enough to become proficient at it. So what ever for of Stress Managment you chose (yoga is great) you need to set aside a little time every day to incorporate it into your routine. Sometimes just recoginizing what the events are that are causing you stress is helpful. Remember Stress is not what HAPPENS to you, it is what you do with what happens. Maybe it would help to sit down with Tony ahead of time and decide on a "budget" for your trip. |
| In addition to my Sunday morning Yoga, I do aerobics 2 times a week, and train with a trainer once a week. Maybe I need to do a little more Yoga during the week. |
| Try a calming massage, and try to eat foods such as oats, brown rice and bananas which contain vitamin B6 which eases stress.
Failing that have a few glasses of wine! 
Hope everything works out for you  |
| I know it might sound cheesy, but think of something that makes you happy, like the dogs, and just take a few moments out of your day to stop everything and just think of something silly that Pirate did to make you laugh. It's almost like a meditation time, but without the ommmms. Just remember to breathe and relax and think happy thoughts. |
I find Yoga very stressful.. I tried it a few times.. and I discovered I just am not that deep. I need to pound on something.. so I kick box.. now that relieves stress.. and I am exhausted when I am done a 45 minute class.  |
| the only ting that is helping my stress is derby i can always get a laugh with him .. money is i think on all our minds that is the roor of all problems in relationships.. i am finding out too.. |
Dudster wrote: I find Yoga very stressful.. I tried it a few times.. and I discovered I just am not that deep. I need to pound on something.. so I kick box.. now that relieves stress.. and I am exhausted when I am done a 45 minute class.
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I was the only one who needs to pound on things to get the stress out. Or move. Fast. None of this slow meditation stuff (though I'm sure it works for many) It just gets me more agitated. The only time I can be still is if I'm snuggling with one of the fuzzies. Sybil is a wonderful stress reliever (yes, I know - shocking  ) When she's on, she's on. When she relaxes, her relaxation is so complete it makes me laugh (upside down, big grin on her face, maybe she's dreaming of what else she can chew as soon as she wakes up?)
Honestly, though, if you're waking up suddenly at night isn't that anxiety and isn't that supposed to be your subconscious telling you: "Deborah, you have unresolved things to deal with..."? Why the damn subconscious insists on doing this when all reasonable people are asleep is beyond me. Oh, wait, maybe it's because the rest of the time you're too busy drowning it out? Turn off the TV (if you watch it; American programming is designed to cause major anxiety in my opinion! Maybe because they know many people shop to relieve stress??), get off <gasp> the internet. Take a weekend off from the lists, the forums, whatever. Make a list of what's worrying you. Split the list into things you can do something about/control and things you can't. Attack the hardest can do something about thing on the list (already you start feeling better about yourself), and then start ticking the rest off little by little. Explain what you're trying to do and solicit Tony's help as needed. Exercise is a great stress reliever, true. But you're already doing that and it's not enough. Time to put some of that energy into solving problems. Start with one or two and the remaining won't seem so overwhelming, and the things you cannot control won't seem so pressing. Me? Any planned trip sends me into outerspace with anxiety. So much to do, so little time to get it all done and  ...brain goes into overload.
What can you do from a practical point of view to unload some of that anxiety? Kristine |
Dudster wrote: I find Yoga very stressful.. I tried it a few times.. and I discovered I just am not that deep. I need to pound on something.. so I kick box.. now that relieves stress.. and I am exhausted when I am done a 45 minute class.
I agree, and I should clarify. The yoga class I take is a combo of yoga and pilates. It is constant flowing motion. I love the instructor. We once had a "substitute" who was into very spiritial yoga. Very slow movements, holding poses a long time. All I keep thinking was, I GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE! I'M LOSING MY MIND. I HAVE TO MOVE! I WANNA WALK MY DOGS AND HAVE A SCOTCH!!!! Thank goodness that instructor has not been back. Kristine, I have a "mental" list of the things bothering me. Maybe it would help to write them down. Maybe on paper, they won't look so daunting. |
| Paula is reading this and Paula has an appointment with a therapist after work. And an appointment with her MD tomorrow because the Ambien is not cutting it. I'm definitely suffering from anxiety and meds and talk therapy will help me.
I exercise EVERY DAY, practice good "sleep hygiene", do HeartMath (which is a form of meditation) and still can't sleep. Sometimes life is overwhelming for us. I find it helps to talk to someone to try to recognize what is bothering me. Writing in a journal is also helpful. Eating, smoking and drinking are (unfortunately) NOT recommended. The last few days though I've been inches from smoking though. Bottom line is discover what is bothering you and deal with that in whatever healthy legal way works. Maybe you have to try different avenues. |
| Facing changing conditions can be stressful. Here are a few words from a wise man to remind us of where our feet hold us.
Misery is not so big as you make out. So the first thing is to reduce it to the right proportions. Before you can get out of it, let the tiger disappear. Be very factual. If you really want to transform your life, be factual. You cannot get out of fictions. You can get out of facts; facts can be tackled, but fictions cannot be tackled. ~Osho Anger is a poison. It may hurt the other, it may not - it depends on the other. But it going to hurt you, certainly. ~Osho No, I didn't write this. This is from my friend. I did calm myself down a lot after reading this. I want to share this with you, Deb and Paula and I hope this help you like it helped me. Sending you gentleness and love |
| I sleep like a log...what works for me is...
-sleeping on a tiny fraction of my king sized bed -with only half a sheet/blanket -and a sheepdog with her head next to mine -either breathing in my ear or licking it 
It sounds to me like you need a mental massage of some kind  Maybe adding a more vigorous exercise class could help....when I did kickboxing or anything with punches it was great for my stress level. Writing down concerns and tackling the issues that you can fix also sounds like a great idea. Maybe more walking....maybe with only one dog at a time....could help calm you down. I say one dog, because I personally find walking more doesn't leave you with as much mental relaxation time 
Sending you calming/ stress-free hugggs  |
| I do reflexology it is very good for stress and relaxing. I am not sure what the costs are of treatments over there. I don't know if you have the Paul Mckenna books over there there is a cd included called how to change your life. It is very good and you feel more able to cope with everyday things. |
| one thing to watch out for is that alcholhol can cause you to fall asleep very quickly and then wake up when your sugar levels drop too far. |
| Hi Deb,
For insomnia, try putting a small amount of English Lavender under your pillow. The type sold by Norfolk Lavender is excellent. (Try it if you do not have allergies) You want the true lavender not the man made fragrance type. I tried it, and I was out like a light 
Of course, a fast paced Zumba class as suggested by Tammy is also very helpful. Here is the link-- www.norfolklavender.com |
I have to run to relieve stress. My hubby is always getting on me for worrying. It affects my sleeping, eating, exercising, and MOOD. We fight so much when I am stressed out! Usually about money, as many on here have mentioned. We do fine, but I am so greedy, and want more  ! We finally had to switch roles, and I no longer pay bills or look at how much money we have in our accounts. The first few weeks it was really hard, but I've learned so much about myself-like I didn't trust my husband as much as I should when it comes to responsibility.
A few months later, and we can tell a huge difference in our relationship. If I want to make a "big" purchase, I just ask if we are okay instead of analyzing which bills have come out, which ones will be due next month, yada, yada, yada. Besides, worrying wastes a lot of time: 12% of what we worry about will never happen 30% has already happened and 50% we can't control. That only leaves 8%! |
| I am so there with you. I have a big trip on the 3rd (Argentina) and I am in more credit card debt than I am comfortable. My husband has had the flu and is crabby, my daughter has been home for 2 days with a sore throat and I think I am getting it. The Ambien cr still works for me, but I keep having to take my dogs to the vet for minor things. $$$
I would also like a stress cure besides lots of Chocolate!!! |
| Deb and all that are stressed!
I find talking my head off gets me through! I VENT like a mad women to a few good friends on the phone! I am sure excercise would be better but, VENTING gets me through! I hope you all can find some relief from the stress...hopefully our economy will be on the upswing soon! Hugs Kathy |
| Deb
I'm not sure if this fits. Are you or have you gone through the big"M" (for those of you youngsters thats menopause or peri-menopause). I'm "doing"it now and somehow it seems to fit. I've run the gamut of symptoms but the new trick my body loves to play is falling asleep and waking a short time later not able to go back to sleep. I'm typing this totally exhausted because this happened to me last night. Of course Gar was not feeling well last night so I blame him for keeping me up half the night (not his fault really). Like I said, I'm not sure if this fits but its something to think about. |
| I wish you lived closer, I would get my sister to treat you.
She is an acupuncturist. When I get treatments for stress and balance I am total mush when finished. She also does sound therepy. You might try www.acutonics.com to see if there is a practioner near you. |
Simon's Mom wrote: Deb
I'm not sure if this fits. Are you or have you gone through the big"M" (for those of you youngsters thats menopause or peri-menopause). I'm "doing"it now and somehow it seems to fit. I've run the gamut of symptoms but the new trick my body loves to play is falling asleep and waking a short time later not able to go back to sleep. I'm typing this totally exhausted because this happened to me last night. Of course Gar was not feeling well last night so I blame him for keeping me up half the night (not his fault really). Like I said, I'm not sure if this fits but its something to think about. I passed the big "M" about 15 years ago (quite early at 43). But, yes, this does feel very much like that. I think there are just so many changes going on in my life, and they are catching up with me. Sometimes even good change is stressful. And with the good, I also have not so good  |
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