I take time out for me every day. And it is not planned or any specific time because that just adds to the stress. I just do it when I feel like it. And it is not any specific routine either. It just is.
My body knows better than my mind when to smell the roses. I can't trust my mind, sometimes it lies to me and tells me I need to do something I really don't.
Had to slow down this Easter weekend, as I had a medical test monday(it was okay!). I had to fast Easter Sunday, completely. I gave myself a break, but have so much to do, but still feel a bit weak.
It's important to surround oneself with postivie people to be able to tell what's good for you?
CdnGuy, you have commented on a good point about a very common cause of exhaustion. These days we are out of balance with our 'fight or flight' mode versus our need to 'rest and digest'! Our adrenal glands secrete hormones that originally helped us respond to dangerous situations (the fight or flight mode). Now we have a similar physical reaction to perceived stress, not situations that are necessarily valid for the fight or flight mode.
It is important to regain the balance and take time to include more 'resting & digesting'!
Sunny had made some excellent suggestions on how to reduce stress
Members,
When did you last take time out for yourselves? What activities did you do to reduce feelings of stress?
Hi Cdn.Guy: That's what I think too. Why I think it is important to get that balance back, good nutrition, exercise and some pampering. Just as though someone were ill, take good care of yourself, take it easy. It's o.k. to take more breaks and "me" time for awhile. It's all about healing mentally and physically. It's not selfish to take care of oneself, just as you would take care of a loved one.
Maybe Vincenza can address this better...my Naturopathic Doctor explained to me that the physical exhaustion could be due in part to having been in fight or flight mode for years, decades even. That caused the adrenal glands to be drained, so to speak, and not producing adrenaline in a normal fashion. So she had me take a preparation that is intended to aid the adrenal glands. I feel that it helped. Mind you, I'm kind of back in that fight or flight mode, yet I'm also armed with some cognitive behavioural therapy methods to help my mind back off of that mode a bit.
I don't remember what I was responding to with this post. LOL! I must be tired. Well, I hope it helps someone.
Welcome to the site...If you start to feel depressed again they have a sister site called The depression center. It listed under More Help at the top of the forum page...I have used both sites and they have helped me a lot...
When you get to the section on exposure work, go to the Depression site and read what they have on Core beliefs. The two are related. Or go to the internet and look up core beliefs. This is an eye opener. Please though continue to do the program in sequence.
Davit and Sunny thank you very much for your posts, it really does help having the ability to communicate with people who have been through something similar and have found a way to through it. I think I am just finding myself dwelling on negative thoughts and sometimes convince myself things will never change. I now realize these are the thoughts I need to work on changing and challenging. So far the program has provided me with some of the tools needed to deal with my anxiety and panic, I am really looking forward to progressing further into the program and seeing what it can do for me.
Samantha thank you for the advice I have just finished the understanding panic and relaxations sections and am working on the homework related to both.
I definitely recommend working through the panic program, the exposre work session discusses fear, learning fear and unlearning fear. Work through each module and do the homework. If you have any questions about the program details let us know! And remember we are here for you.
