Stress Center Peer Support

I am on stress leave this week, and possibly longer. Really I burnt out from working two jobs and not taking any time for me. How can I use this time wisely to get myself well?

After working so much, it is hard to relax...

Any suggestions???

I'd work on preventing future bouts of stress by doing thought countering exercises like the TEA form and breathing relaxation exercises. Maybe even start an exercise regimen if you have any energy left after working two jobs? How many hours a week are you working?

I just quit my job to stay home and work on me. So let me tell you what I have been up to. Of course working the program. I also started a big 5 subject spiral. In the front I write all the great insperational sayings that I find here and elsewhere. (get the kind that has pockets) you can print insperational stroies and put in pockets. In the next section I have started taking notes on the session that I am on (this is great because I can keep them all together) and in the next section I write website and books that I want to check out to see if they will help me. you could also use one of the sections to do your journaling. Anyway, anytime I need a lift or to refresh myself on a section all I have to do is pick up my spriral. And you can take it with you anywhere. When your in a book store you have the list of books you want to look at right there and when you have time, all the websites you want to check out are right there also. I also like to spend time here talking to people. You can learn alot at this site. anyway I think reading and studying all you can is the best way to get thru this. Knowledge is power and what may work for one person may not for another. Sorry this is so long and is probably more than you wanted to know. LOL sorry hope it helps.

Originally posted by WW:
I'd work on preventing future bouts of stress by doing thought countering exercises like the TEA form and breathing relaxation exercises. Maybe even start an exercise regimen if you have any energy left after working two jobs? How many hours a week are you working?

The breathing always is important. I don't breathe!

What is TEA form?

I was working over 12 hour days 6 days a week, as I was covering for people who were away at both jobs for a couple of weeks. Not only covering their hours, but their work (MORE responsibility than usual) as well as my own...So stressful...

I have to remember that when I go back I won't be doing double duty, so it shouldn't get to the breaking point...

H

think reading and studying all you can is the best way to get thru this. Knowledge is power and what may work for one person may not for another. Sorry this is so long and is probably more than you wanted to know. LOL sorry hope it helps.[/QUOTE]

I looooove the notebook idea - I have been using a scribbler I picked up, to record compliments I receive each day. Or positive things that happen...It's important to make the positive thoughts more habitual.

THANKS a lot...It is soooo nice to have contact with others who go through this sometimes painful process...the only plus is that when it is not painful, the absence of pain makes life feel like heaven. Appreciate the heavenly moments, and work towards them every day...they are worth the pain!!!

Love and light!
H

12-hour days six days a week would eventually ruin anyone! The TEA form is a cbt thought countering exercise in the book by Sam Obitz that teaches you how to get rid of negative anxiety producing thinking patterns.
I like the notebook idea as well but don't rely on other peoples compliments to make you feel more positive and better. You have to be able to compliment yourself and recognize all you do to get relief that lasts. There's also an exercise called the wrist counter in the book by Obitz that you can use to change your focus to all the things you have done rather than all the things you have not gotten done. Take care and no more 12-hour work-days back to back to back

fightback76...I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but session #13 is a good one. It helps to show you that you have to take care of "yourself" first before you can truly take care of others. Session 7 also goes along with this one to. You can't feel guilty for taking time for yourself. You may feel selfish at first but don't!! You will be a better person,spouse,friend,mama,daddy...whatever, to everyone around you "IF" you treat yourself good First!!!

naturesgirl-
i love the 5 subject notebook idea. i'm gonna get one tonight on my way home thanks!

Wow - I sure am up early, lol - it's my quiet time - just about 6am in NJ, lol.

1 particularly dominant feeling I had had for majority of my life (all prior to my anxiety disorder triggering in APR 2005) was my feeling as though I was never given a choice/say due to the life/circumstances I was dealt.For me, it was never a case of "THINK & FEEL" rather "LIVE & SURVIVE = SINK OR SWIM" literally. So, when my anxiety disorder triggered, I was given just that chance - although, I must admit, initially - I didn't see it that way, lol

For the 1st time in my life, w/ anxiety disorder forcing my hand, I was given the chance to "sit still" + "be still" + "work on me" + "unburden myself" w/ all deeply surpressed negative emotions + change those parts of me that YES that created my anxiety disorder - all things I was never really happy w/ - but ASSUMED this is me = who/what I am. Anxiety disorder & then my subsequent depression BOTH gave me my most treasured gift. I was given my emotional freedom & as a result, the opportunity to be the person & woman God had meant for me to be all along. It was MY REALIZING THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY & TRULY UTILIZING THAT TIME I SPENT HOME - that the most amazing things/changes happened.

My anxiety disorder triggered in APRIL 2005, after I had surgery for the 1st time. I sought help immediately w/ a psychiatrist who had 30+ yrs experience specializing w/ TRAUMA. The 2nd thing I did was LET GO & LET GOD: I felt overwhelmed - so I went to "my father=God". I never ever asked him to make this go away. Rather, I asked him to help me help myself - to guide me toward the direction I need to go & be my strength when I was weak. <span class="ev_code_RED">3rd, I initiated journaling in a 5 SUBJECT NOTEBOOK.</span> I needed to TEACH MYSELF = I needed to get myself comfortable w/ what I was thinking & feeling & then FEEL THEM = I needed to open up the PANDORA'S BOX of my soul/spirit/memory so I could unburden myself w/ all the events I had experienced & their respective negative emotions. So, I started w/ my 1st 5 subject notebook.

I remember distinctly writing "what the heck am I supposed to write about" lol - just goes to show you how OUT OF WHACK I was w/ what I was thinking & feeling - I simply didn't know. Nor did I understand the revelence of this act. I came to call this HOMEWORK = me work. I was 37 when anxiety disorder triggered - I had 20+ yrs worth of traumatic experiences deep inside - lol, thats lottttttttttttttttttts of writing, hahahahahha I did it every morning when hubby would leave for work - practicing a bit here & there - getting myself used to it & comfortable w/ LETTING IT ALL OUT. This was all done long b/4 I even purchased Lucinda's program - this was PREP WORK for me being ready for her program. 4th (simulatneously w/ the journaling): I did research = reading 16 books on anxiety disorder & depression. Sure my therapist was quite informative. However, I needed to intellectualize this "thing" - I needed to understand it to be true & then create the emotional changes I required. Well, lol, between the journaling for the "practicing the emotions & memories" letting out + journaling "my note taking fr the many books I was reading", 1 5 subject notebook became 2 + 3 + 4 + ... till I was up to my 8th 5 SUBJECT NOTEBOOK - honest, no joking. Again, I treated this as my being in the school of emotional wellness & my major was RECOVERY - SO, I did the homework, lol. My professors were my psychiatrist + primary physician + pharmacist + eventually, LUCINDA BASSETT.

I sure didn't like being home - esp home under the circumstances which I were. So, if I was going to be home - I wasn't about to twittle dixy - lally gag, etc. I was going to use this as an opportunity to help myself. I worked it. I was making a LIFESTYLE CHANGE - changes bigger than I could even begin to fathom @ the time, in ways I never thought possible. My motivation was "feeling better". My focus was on all things POSITIVE: PEOPLE + PLACES + THINGS + MUSIC + LITERATURE + FRIENDS, ETC. I signed up for various positive emails fr various outlets = Joel Osteen + positive thinking (an actual website) - so that every time I started my day & went on the computer - I was given positive reinforcement. I would listen to good LIFT ME UP MUSIC (spiritual + dance stuff) - anything that aided me in changing my frame of mind. I didn't watch a lot of crap on tv. I didn't want to become a couch potato allowing myself to fester further in the emotional hell of anxiety disorder I was already in. I did them relaxation sessions like nobody's business - I would even take bubble baths - to pamper myself - something I didn't even realize I deserved - I was always taking care of everyone else - I didn't know how to do for me. I also initiated healthier eating & exercising. This was gradual, NOT over-night. Little by little, during the coarse of time, I ate healthier + initiated moving a little bit + I joined WEIGHT WATCHERS & I've lost 70lbs = going fr size 22 - to size 4. Now, the size 4 wasn't my original intention. However, as I told God in prayer, "lord forgive me - I am human & a woman" lol.

I was home for a little longer than you mentioned. I was home for 3 1/2 yrs before going back into WORKING USA several mths ago. Fr the beginning, I had to make a VERY DELIBERATE decision to utilize my time @ home as a gift for change + healing + growing + evolving + recovering. I had to make a deliberate decision fr the GET GO - that I was not going to use this time @ home to Wallow or dwell = for if I chose that ROUTE, anxiety disorder & subsequent depression will have tightened its grip on me. <span class="ev_code_RED">Think all things POSITIVE for you, by you.</span> This is your time - you taking care of you. It may not feel like it, but it is TRULY A GIFT.

You know, as mentioned, I had been home for 3 1/2 yrs - first anxiety disorder & then major depression. I felt like I went 12 rounds w/ Mike Tyson @ his prime. There are rewards for hard work & prayer, trust me I am 1 of many, PROOF POSITIVE of those facts/statements. I am long recovered fr anxiety disorder (no meds 2 yrs) + I've returned to working USA almost 7mths ago - successfully + I've gotten physically healthy & lost weight + I've gained my emotional independance + I've recovered fr DEPRESSION = my depression med's were lowered 3 x's during the past 2 1/2 mths. FINALLY, this past Mond evening - while I attended a therapy session - I WAS TAKEN OFF DEPRESSION MEDS ALL TOGETHER. I told my psychiatrist "it is time - I want off". Sure, he asked me necessary questions that you'd expect. Then, we had ourselves 1 BIG OPRAH MOMENT = HALLMARK MOMENT. You see, I came to this man's office almost 4 yrs ago in such an extreme state, I was literally 2 steps away fr being admitted into a psychiatric hospital. I had shared the most painful aspects of my life w/ this man - who taught me a much healthier perspective on things - he helped me gain my emotional freedom. So, to me & for me, HE IS 1 OF MY LIVING HERO'S. You know what my therapist told me? He said, "Well, we'll see how you do while totally/completely off the meds during the next month till I see you again. Then, I believe OUR TIME WILL BE DONE. Hopefully, you'll keep in touch". That is the most powerful/positive thing - man. I don't have words. I mention that to you, because that statement made to me was the DIRECT RESULT of the HARD WORK I have done. I wanted recovery & I claimed it as mine - SO CAN YOU.

I left the room/session w/ my hubby waiting in the waiting area. He asked what happened. We went outside - I sat on the stoop & cried. I told him "I did it, depression lost its battle w/ me - I am free".

Your Friend,

LENORE

Fightback, I hope you have gotten back to feeling good again and hopefully are not working so many hours. Take care!