Stressed - need advice

[PoliticalBiscuit]

Fitbit tells me this is my average resting heart rate for the past month. I reckon I've put weight on which has contributed to it.

I'm feeling stressed, and tearful and I can feel my heart racing when I am sat down. There's been no real changes in my life but I'm finding it more difficult to handle than normal with a feeling of being tired all the time.

I have young children (but not babies age).

Please can you help with any advice on how to stop spiralling? I need to eat better, sleep better, perhaps try some mindfulness or meditation exercises.

Ps, I hope not but if you can see any personal info on my screenshot can you report post to mumsnet? Thanks!

Do you mind telling us your age range? (it just puts your resting heart rate in a bit more context).

I must admit that I am a bit fixated with my Fitbit resting heart rate and am always trying to get it lower. Google says losing weight but mainly doing lots of exercise is the way to do it.

I'm not sure if this is comfort OP but I noticed that my resting heart rate actually shot up when I was away on holiday (admittedly it was quite a busy break with a lot of travelling) compared to when I was back at work (in a pretty stressful job) so I'm not sure how accurate Fitbit's representation really is.

I'm in my 30s.

I went on holiday and my step rate went right down. I was most unimpressed after long walks on the beach etc but realised I wasn't running around the house tidying up all day

80 is with the normal range isn't it.

My normal
Is 58-60 but my dh normal is 76-80 and he is younger than me.

Stress and anxiety will raise your heart rate anyway so maybe deal with that first. But a trip to the gp may help you put your mind at rest.

I'm obsessed with mine, the better I eat the lower mine goes, it's currently 52 but I'm eating chocolate now so it might go up tomorrow.
You're in the normal range, try not to worry

Do you think you're coming down with something? Being tired can increase your RHR as can your body fighting a cold or similar.

If nothing else, it sounds like this is a good time to take a step back and think about what small changes you can make to improve how you feel. Eating better is an easy one. Sleeping better is harder but worth trying, especially if you are already feeling more tired. I struggle to sleep well but find anti-histamines and melatonin help. Some people recommend Kalms but they have never worked for me. I think I need something more industrial strength

Just something as simple as taking deep breaths when you feel your heart racing will help. Start small and don't put pressure on yourself as sounds like you have enough to deal with already.

Thanks all. I don't mean I'm worried my heart rate is too high I just mean it's going up and I know it's indicative that I'm really wound up and anxious.

Thanks for the practical advice too. I might be tempted to try a kalms if I can get to bed early enough.

Have a look at this book:

www.amazon.co.uk/Pillar-Plan-Relax-Longer-Healthier/dp/0241303559?tag=mumsnetforum-21 4 Pillar Plan

It covers diet, exercise, sleep and relaxation all in one book. It's really easy to dip into and identify how you can make improvements in each area to help you balance your life.

Re: your specific heart rate, I'd go to the GP if you're worried. Are you drinking much alcohol or have increased your intake to cope with stress? My resting heart rate (on Fitbit) goes up by 8-10 consistently just if I've had a drink! Now I've stopped drinking completely, I'm around the 60 mark (late 30s), but it's all about what is normal for you.

Thanks Ritz, by the wonders of Amazon Prime it'll be here tomorrow.

An you carve out a 30 minute walk into your day?? Even if it means getting up earlier? It's exercise plus time to clear your head.

Yes Fusion I have a dog so we have a lovely daily walk. I do struggle to switch off for it though. Might start leaving my phone at home!

@PoliticalBiscuit Have a look at page 14 and you can see 20 things that you can choose to improve your wellbeing. The book starts with 'relax' too.

Dr Chatterdee has a weekly podcast with experts, see if there are some topics of interest that you could listen to on the way to work etc

Do you drink and is there any chance this is booze related? Alcohol really can make you very stressed.

Oh I like podcasts, thanks Ritz.

Persona, definitely not drink relates. Think I've had 2 or 3 evening with alcohol in the last month. Although I do wonder if it would help me feel less tense in the evening, but I am very wary of making a habit.

Contrary to popular belief alcohol makes stress and anxiety worse, so don't try that!