FamilyInShape

Stress...it sometimes does that to you

 

Photo by Inkygirl

Over the last few days, weeks, maybe even months (not sure, I've lost track of time), I've been working through all my to-do's and following the schedules given to me by my children's schools, my job and my own schooling.  As one would imagine, something had to give eventually.  Remember me? I was the one feeling excited because the kids were going back to school and we were going back to a "routine."  Oh wow, routine it is.  Unfotunately, the kids' school schedule is not flexible, therefore, many things have to be planned around them, not me.  Anyway, somewhere along the way I skipped a chore, postponed an appointment and procrastinated on a project which means I personally threw the schedule off balance, leaving me with more to do in a shorter period of time.  Great!  Just what I needed.  However, I think if I stay up all night for several nights I will be able to get back those lost hours and hopefully get all  the projects done yesterday.  Have I learned my lesson about procrastination -- YES!  If you're gonna do it, do it right!

But seriously, I started to feel the pressure of what I HAVE to do last night when I was up at two A.M. working on a simple 250 word essay about Hammurabi's Code.  Then I spent the next few hours dreaming about how it really didn't take much for someone to get severly punished back then.  Well, at least he had the laws written in stone, pun totally intended.  An hour later the alarm went off and it hit me... this was my last chance at sleeping until bed time tonight.  CAFFEINE, where are you my friend!!  

Now, here's what happens when I'm stressed AND tired:

1.  I eat more carbs than usual because I want fast energy.  Who cares what happens an hour later, I can always eat more carbs.

2.  I crave salty and sweet foods because sometimes I can justify how I feel and treat my symptoms with food crap!

3.  My workouts are not efficient and I do repeat to everyone within ears shot "I didn't sleep well last night," as if they cared.

4. I don't sleep well because for some reason I need to go over my to-do list in my head.

5. I'm cranky (not be confused with hormonal).

Unfortunately, this causes a cycle of bad choices and bad attitudes and more stress because even though I have a to-do list dictating what I HAVE to do as opposed to the general chores that should get done before company comes, I stress about each and everyone one of those items on my list I should have done two weeks ago.  Meanwhile, nothing gets done and I get overwhelmed.  What the hey!  I got up this morning with a plan to get over this issue because the last thing I need is to add bad carbs and inefficient exercise to my routine. (oh yes and lack of sleep zzzzzzz).

1.  I will do the bare minimum chores because no one is coming to visit--but if someone shows up, just put them to work.

2.  I will break down my projects (school essays, redecorating, organizing closets, etc) so that I do a little everyday, therefore completing the project over several days or weeks instead of several hours.

3. Take a nap... I will take a nap today... I must!

4.  I will continue to exercise--that's a habit not worth breaking.

5.  I will make a concious effort to feed my body not my cravings

Check out this article about Stress on MedicineNet written by  Peter J. Panzarino Jr., MD, FAPA  where he states that "Stress is related to both external and internal factors. External factors include the physical environment, including your job, your relationships with others, your home, and all the situations, challenges, difficulties, and expectations you're confronted with on a daily basis. Internal factors determine your body's ability to respond to, and deal with, the external stress-inducing factors. Internal factors which influence your ability to handle stress include your nutritional status, overall health and fitness levels, emotional well-being, and the amount of sleep and rest you get."

I like the first step solution; according to this article "Exercise on a regular basis helps to turn down the production of stress hormones and neurochemicals. Thus, exercise can help avoid the damage to our health that prolonged stress can cause. "

Well then, go to the gym, get a really good workout, eat a healthy lunch, drink plenty of water and get some well-needed rest.  Most of us know this but it doesn't hurt to hear it, read it and do it again!  As a last resort or maybe I'll put this higher on the list, Get a professional MASSAGE!

Stay Well,

Mental health

This week's focus is on exercising your mind.  Too many times we get caught up in the daily to-do's and when we do take time to rest we end up thinking about what we could be doing or what we plan to do later or what we could have done.  Instead of wasting your precious quiet time on those mindless worries, why not feed your mind by feeding it, nourishing your thoughts with mind games, reading, puzzles and the like.  Check out these ideas and maybe share some of your own ideas: 

Exercise your mind:  an article on CNN.com states that, "Just as physical activity keeps your body strong, mental activity keeps your mind sharp and agile. One way to do this is to continually challenge yourself by learning new skills. If you continue to learn and challenge yourself, your brain continues to grow, literally. An active brain produces new connections between nerve cells that allow cells to communicate with one another. This helps your brain store and retrieve information more easily, no matter what your age." With news like this, what have we got to loose, except our minds.

Read: Mike on livelife365 says, "Anything that occupies your mind differently, works another part of the old gray matter, is beneficial. Reading is great for you. Toss out that TV and read, every day. Fiction, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, ahh, blogs? Yes, those too. Expand your knowledge, learn new things--you will enhance your life now, and really help yourself as you age."  Keep a book in the car to help you kill time while waiting for your kids at the baseball field (or wherever they may be), keep one by your bedside table, replace your remote with a book every now and then.  So pick up a book, keep it handy and read a page, read a chapter when you can and throw your mind into a story or a learning  activity that will take you away from your daily tasks.

Puzzles: Tarun from Paranoid Escapes suggests "A few ways to exercise your mind is to do some crossword puzzles, or play common games like solitaire or chess to keep your mind sharp." She also suggest Yoga for mind and body health. I think jigsaw puzzles are fun and progressive.  They take a little longer to complete, but the end result can be a beautiful landscape photo along with a feeling of accomplishment--that makes anyone feel pretty good on a bad day. The idea is to get your mind involved in something that will not only improve your memory and sharpen your mind, but also, take your mind off anything that might me causing stress.

Laugh: Chris from ThatsFit! points us to a study that "examines the total body connection; an understanding that the mind, the body, and the spirit work in conjunction to regulate our psychophysiology."  It's seems clear to me--we all need to start laughing a whole lot more.  Read the Sunday comics, these can be sent to your inbox via email, find humor in life.    Improve your mood and reduce stress watching stand up comedy or funny movies.  Don't miss the opportunity to laugh.

Sleep: Need I say more!  We all want to sleep more, well why not get a cat nap during that scheduled relaxation time.  Colleen from 3DayMom says, "Just snoozing for 20 to 30 minutes can work wonders for a stressed out, tired old body."  She adds that "... you’ll feel better, you’ll have more energy, and your productivity in the afternoon will go through the roof."  I will have to agree with that, even though I am guilty of denying myself a nap in place of doing chores or catching up on emails, homework or other activity.  On days when I listen to my internal mechanism and let myself take a nap, I do feel better the rest of the day.  Granted, when I first get up from a nap I feel groggy, I just drink a tall glass of cold water, iced tea or hot tea and the groggy feelings are replaced by a superb energy.

Music:  I love listening to all types of music.  It can be therapeutic, calming, entertaining and energizing. Whether I'm listening to oldies, classic rock, country or Latin music--it all just boils down to me and my not-so-great singing voice.  In the end, a very happy heart evolves.

Time will pass, the chores will always be there, and the callers and emailers can leave a message.  Don't miss the opportunity to play, read, laugh, and sleep.  Now go play some mind games and stay sharp!

Stay Well,

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop."--Confucius