Most stressful and tiring week of my life

[hexsnidgett]

What tips can you give me to help me get back to normal?

well sleep seems the obvious answer, or are you too tightly wound for that.

how about a brisk walk, stop for an ice cream, walk home and take a lovely bath.

have you ever tried meditation?

you made it through, well done. Be proud of yourself

Yeah I had a lie in, which is amazing.

Ice cream sounds great, I don't think there's anywhere nearby, I have some watermelon lollies in the freezer...

A bath is certainly on the cards.

Should I be eating comfort food or trying stuff myself full of healthy veg? I cannot decide.

I have a CBT app? Does this count as meditation?

Do a jigsaw.. Omg it is therapeutic!
Currently under cardiac team and need to de stress. Works a treat!

I haven't done a jigsaw puzzle for ages, the cat interferes. Maybe I should give it a go while she's asleep.

Ime sharing your slice of lemon merangue with dcat keeps them occupied!

I think lemon meringue pie might help me feel better...

Why do I live in the middle of no where?

Middle of nowhere sounds perfect!

Do something to really get your heart racing, ideally a good cardio session. It may sound counterintuitive, but it will help you get rid of all the stress hormones and you'll get better quality sleep after.

not if you want lemon meringue pie and your car is broken...

Go for a walk in the sun

Bath with a book

lots of sleep

Mostly healthy food but have some treats

More sleep

Call some friends

Once you feel some energy coming back do a bit of gentle exercise, buy yourself a nice dress or whatever for summer and book lunch with a friend (adapt to what you can afford.)

Sleep, meditation, gentle exercise (gentle yoga breathing), photography, a nice audio book or boxset, a few drops of aromatherapy oils in the bath (check for contraindications though, for instance don't use rosemary around anyone with epilepsy).

I know lavender gets recommended a lot but actually it's not suitable for everyone, personally I've found a couple of drops each in the water of essential oils camomile, bergamot, and geranium are lovely, or camomile, lemongrass, black pepper for aches and strains on a physical level. Or herbal teas if you're not keen on the oils - I've personally found the Pukka ones amongst the most effective.

I am sorry you've had a tough week, I hope it gets better for you.

I think if the OP feels like it that’s great, but aggressive exercise can really deplete you if what you actually need is rest.

If you have extra energy then declutter, make use of the adrenalin. Or a bath with a podcast.

Ah just read your update. We have also had our car written off this week and the driver may have PTSD from the accident (they're still in shock right now as it was just a few days ago). So we are putting into place all the above, and are also having macaroni cheese as stodgy comfort lunch. Possibly followed by Gu desserts.

We always got a lot of our stuff delivered even before COVID so have got used to a domestic life where we didn't use the car that much (work is a different issue). If you really need lemon meringue pie have lemon meringue pie - is there a local cafe or Co op or Morrisons who would deliver via Just eat or whoever? I'm almost sure the lemon counts as one of the five a day....!!!!

Hi OP, magnesium is great when you need support, I use this powder:
https://www.greensorganic.co.uk/products/pure-magnesium-citrate-powder

Half a tsp in water before bed helps you sleep, and wake up refreshed, AND it's great for aches and pains or restless legs.

I also swear by rescue remedy!

And this 37 min yoga video is amazing - all her videos are, but this is great when you're stressed/ anxious:

I like having these calming chiming bowls playing on a loop while I read or have a bath:

And if you want to give meditation a go, I love this one - just sit quietly and go with it, almost sure you'll either fall asleep or just relax deeply and either way you're pretty likely to feel better!
https://shaktidurga.com/podcast-physical-body-healing-meditation/

Wish you all the best <3

Is there like a dessert shop that can deliver? Might be expensive though.

I took some magnesium last night as I have been having agonising leg cramps, its good to know it might help in other ways too.

I like to do some quiet sorting/ tidying e.g go through my summer clothes or make up box or clean and sort kitchen drawers. Also second a walk followed by bath/ long shower.

Well done for getting through the week OP 😄.

Neurographic drawing is absolutely brilliant for relieving stress. You need absolutely no artistic skill whatsoever and just a pen and piece of paper. This is good starter tutorial, you don’t have to do all the filling in unless you want to.

https://youtube.com/shorts/hmh7zsuaDJo?feature=share

You have been given good advice from pp op. I would add help your body from the inside out with soups, fruit, veg and water.

Hope things get better soon for you.

I had one of my most stressful weeks in a long time.
So I
bought myself some flowers
lit candies at night
had a bath
Drank a lot of water
Read outside in the evening
cuddled my children

I have been very stressed recently. In my experience the only way out is through. Lie down. Focus on where you can feel it in your body. Think about the texture, colour, size, shape of the feeling. Allow it to be the focus of your thoughts and awareness and feeling. Eventually the feeling will lift and move through you.