Good morning and Happy Wednesday! Today’s post is part of my “What/how I’m _____ …Wednesday” series. Today also happens to be National Stress Awareness Day. When I was mapping out the month I noticed this fell on today’s date, so I figured, why not open up and share how I have been trying to manage stress and anxiety in my life.
I didn’t think I was a super stressful/anxious person, but add family, constant chatter and serving as the referee to your kiddos day in and day out, it can wear on you! I’ve spent a lot of time thinking how I’ve become so tightly wound and found it actually is literally just that. Along with those things there are also physical and hormonal issues that contribute to this.
I’m sharing these issues in detail below because so many of us are dealing with the same things. We all have different factors causing stress and anxieties in our lives, some way more serious than others, but I’ve been determined to self sort it out as I never thought I could be affected by it so much. I have found different ways that help me tackle and handle stress. I have also discovered when I’m feeling triggered and how to avoid it. And obviously, I am working on improving areas of my life where stress can be easily eliminated.
Ever since the birth of our last child is where I pinpoint these issues coming about. First off, I had an epidural spinal CSF leak, during his birth, which honestly caused me a lot of trauma. Second, my posture throughout the breastfeeding days destroyed my neck – I ever started laying down to feed him (partially because I had to the first week of his birth as I could not sit up)! Third, COVID hit right after. Our “normal” lives came to a halt and we navigated being in the house not going to school or doing our favorite activities. I shared this post a couple years ago where I started getting migraines and KNEW it was from this new sedentary lifestyle we were living. Think of all these things that just compounded on the body not only physically, but mentally.
For someone who USED manage stress and do a great job suppressing and getting over it, I was alarmed when I noticed it was getting increasingly difficult. I did have a couple panic attacks (at the time I thought they were heart related issues (palpitations, HR increases) and had gone to ER a handful of times to find out everything checked out okay. My cardiologist and actually the paramedics at my house (one evening I woke from my sleep with my heart rate in the 140’s), had asked the same question – “are you under any stress?” At the time I said not anything I’m not used to. It took me really thinking about it to find I was in fact dealing with stress during those times – the first time, I was just wrapping up a stressful wedding invite suite (shipping delays were causing issues!) and I felt the day to day nuisances of being a stay at home Mom had gotten to me – particularly around PMS time, which I will get into.
I also noticed myself worrying more and more about my personal health. I feel, I am an overall healthy individual, BUT I do have a blood condition that can make me at risk for blood clots WAY more than the average person. Maybe sometime I will share more about this, but it is a very rare disorder and one that does worry me whether I want it to or not. These health anxieties and good ole Google diagnosis causes increased stress in my life and I have learned to start relaxing. God is in control and these “health scares” could be God’s way of communicating and telling me to “let go.” I continue to try and remember this daily.
So, that is a little backstory re: my stresses and anxieties. I want to share with you how I have been working through them – some remedies I’ve found, patterns and how I continue to learn about how our body functions.
Fitbit Sense
Not realizing the affects everyday stress and anxiety could place on one’s cardio health, I have now become aware of this and am trying my best to avoid putting this strain on my heart health. When I had those heart palpitations and increase heart rate scares, I would be working myself up after these episodes. My Mom bought me the Fitbit Sense for my birthday and I am so grateful! Not only does it give amazing info re: overall health, fitness, step count, etc., I am also able to take an ECG at any time, evaluate it, save and send to my cardiologist. I’m also able to see my heart rate real time as it is constantly tracking. In order to find patterns and triggers, I will often take the ECG, save the report in my notes on my phone and make notes on what I ate, what could be causing etc. This heart journal is very helpful and the watch is very reassuring during times I may be feeling off!
Chiropractor
I’ve been seeing a Chiropractor for about a year now and cannot tell you how extremely helpful that has been for my overall health. I used to wake up with pins and needles feeling on my feet and was constantly having neck pain – along with back pain as well. I still get the back and neck pain, but that is because I am actively working to correct the problems that have developed over so many years.
Just as the song goes, “The neck bones connected to the backbone” – I was slowly discovering a lot of my issues could be stemming from poor spine health.
I had attributed all the pain to playing college golf – which probably did not help – and poor posture. I had a desk job for five years and would sit hunched at my computer chair. Working out, a good cardio workout, was not a main priority post kiddos and all these things can cause poor spine health.
When I saw him the first time last year – I did in fact had two cervical subluxations in the middle of my neck. These certainly would cause a block in nervous communication. I couldn’t believe how important spinal health truly is in how your body functions. Any blockage of nerves can cause bodily functions to go haywire.
I have discovered my neck and shoulder muscles to be extremely tense. That’s where I carry most of the stress and so adjustments do not hold as long as they should because my muscle tension pulls everything right back! I’ve been working to improve this and really do love seeing the chiropractor.
Vitamins are your friend
I’ve shared my vitamin regime before.
There are so many vitamins and minerals that can help your body function the way it is supposed to! After a year and a half of use, I am still using this routine.
PMS
As mentioned above with the Fitbit Sense, I had been tracking certain items of concern in my heart journal. What I did find was a trend as to when these issues would occur. They almost certainly began one week before my period. Skipped beats/heart fluttering – it occurs EXACTLY the same days every month on Day 20. Did you know palpitations are a PMS symptom – I didn’t until I did some more research! So between that, all the hormone changes and what appears as a hidden OCD that comes out right before my period, my stress was through the roof!
I found my most stressful and anxious times were at this time of the month so I mentioned to my chiropractor noticing this trend and he recommended the below…
Nevaton Forte
I refuse to go on prescription meds. It’s just me. If I can handle things as naturally as possible, I am trying that first and will give it my all. This supplement is meant to calm you and really helps with PMS time. I actually solely take this supplement at PMS time if I sense myself tensing up and getting overly anxious!
This has been extremely helpful to me. My chiropractor had me taking it 4 times a day during the times I feel its needed and wow, I love having this in my arsenal!
Exercise and Stretching
My cardiologist had stressed the importance of how exercise not only helps with cardio health, but also you OVERALL well being – OBVIOUSLY. I never really put much emphasis on this because I am always moving and have the steps to prove it! BUT, what I hadn’t realized is how important it is to really get your heart pumping. It is a proven stress reducer – just type that in to Google and you will find all sorts of reasons why!
I have also started yoga back up again and LOVE it! It is a little time for myself and the class has been so relaxing. Not only am I trying to counter stress with my breathing and slowing down in this practice, I am also countering my normal muscle form (which is currently contributing to my back and neck problems) and stretching them out in ways that are beneficial.
Watch What You eat
On days where I am on edge or stressed, I try to avoid foods that will increase my anxiety – coffee, chocolate, sugary foods. Processed foods are not good and can worsen anxiety. Partially hydrogenated oils, in a lot of our foods, is not good. You can read more about that here. I tend to CRAVE these foods at PMS time, so it’s a recipe for disaster.
There have been several logs in my heart journal that attribute my anxiousness to COFFEE! If I consumed coffee after 10 am – no joke – I would be jittery that afternoon and take an ECG. Crazy what food can do to you!
Decrease Clutter
I mentioned above, I get a PMS induced OCD (now this is self diagnosed) each and every month – lovely – sending me overboard when the kiddos mess up the house or act up the slightest bit, as they do because well, they are kids. This past weekend we went through toys and threw out, donated and organized everything. My husband has ordered a dumpster in the coming weeks and we plan to just toss everything we can that is not serving a purpose. Ultimately, having a organized home will cause less stress for all of us! It also will lead to less pick up/cleaning which I’m craving!
You Can’t Do it ALL
Sometimes, eliminating the need to be everywhere and do everything is all it takes. I have really tried to relish in staying home by not signing the kiddos up for activities that would increase the run around. Our life is already crazy and I couldn’t imagine tacking on more craziness. In a world that craves and pushes the busy, I really have enjoyed toning it down a bit.
To-do lists
Lastly, I just shared this yesterday – to-do lists! This was my husbands idea. If I was feeling overwhelmed or stressed, he would tell me to just write it down. Try to tackle a limited number of tasks per day and be realistic with yourself. If the laundry doesn’t get done today, be easy on yourself, you can get to it tomorrow the whole world will not crumble. Identifying the items that are a main priority is key to helping you manage the things that truly don’t matter that given day!
WOOF, that was a whole lot to unpack. But, I felt this post could resonate with so many other people. Everybody is going through things, they just might not show it. Understanding your health is so extremely important and requires your time and attention! Hope you have a great and extremely UN-STRESSFUL day!
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