TBH Shell- I have a lot of time by myself in the evenings. DP is at work until 11:30pm and DD is in bed at 7pm but I tend to throw myself into work. Even though I have the tv on, I have been searching stuff for my class and actually watching you tube clips on growing rice (We are doing a unit of work on Japan and food is a topic). I am just about to go and cook some rice! PMSL.
I just never put time into myself. Or maybe I do if I think of myself as being made up from DD, DP, my class, school, friends, house etc. I suppose they are the things that make up my life so I try and make them good but then leave out myself. Gosh that sounds jumbled.
BellaB - I'm currently taking a 12 week course on living well - it's a particular program about a whole heap of lifestyle things but mindfulness meditation is the most important one. They say as you meditate regularly - even just 10 mins here and there - it affects your biochemistry and eventually resets your stress dial so it's lower most of the time (so that even when you are stressed, you feel it less in your body). How to meditate - well it's simple and hard at the same time, so I'd suggest getting your hands on some meditation/relaxation CDs from your public library or ebay...then all you gotta do is get comfy and listen and relax.
I had a period of intense stress last year for a couple of months when I knew I had cancer but I didn't know how bad - things that helped me were - exercise (taking a walk or dancing around the lounge room), sitting in the sunshine just feeling it on my skin, taking a bath, oh yeah - and deep slow breathing. The deep slooooooooow breathing works in as little as 5 breaths. I would start there in a stress emergency.
BellaB. I can really relate to your post. Small children, working and managing everyone's lives is hard work. I have tried to go for a walk each morning I am home regardless of anything else, kind of like a preventative measure for myself. I also try to avoid screen time (TV, computer)for an hour of an evening - so read a book, knit (or try anyway, lol) listen to music. I am also trying really hard to only do my paid hours at work - so no more at home or staying back late. It is hard as my workplace looks on PT staff as lesser so I had been (stupidly) trying to prove otherwise. I also go out on my own or send the kids + DH out and do something I like for an hour a weekend. DH also is responsible for getting up with the kids one morning a weekend.
These measures all seem a bit OTT but I was stressed to the max and felt like I was running from one job to the next pretty much 24/7 on very little sleep. Not a good combo! I also got some Rescue Remedy and used that for a bit until I found a more even keel.
Take care of yourself - it will help you feel better! xxx
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