I’ve name changed for this because combined with my other posts it’s quite identifying!
I’ve been to the GP this week because I’ve had a bad headache for a number of weeks now, combined with some nausea and fatigue. I have no quibble with how he treated me - spent ages doing all sorts of checks and listened to me when I explained I’m worried because I never get headaches. However, as I passed all his tests, he’s inclined to think it’s a tension headache lingering on.
I have a stressful job - I’m a teacher with extra responsibilities (I love it though - I’m in a lovely team and my headteacher is very supportive where she can be). I have thought about going down to four days but it would be quite a cut and I think I would just end up working on the fifth day anyway. Other than that though, my life is a charm - love my partner, life is good. We are facing some decisions over fertility at the moment having lost a baby last year. This is playing on my mind a lot, I admit.
I have high blood pressure and am working on my weight to get that down, as well as taking a low dose medication. My blood pressure was very high in the surgery but I have genuine white coat syndrome - I had photos of lower readings I had taken myself which placated the GP somewhat, although he’s asked me to do another week of submitting readings to review.
Anyway, my question is… what do you do that genuinely relaxes you? I feel like I’m in a constant state of fight or flight sometimes - always thinking about what needs to be done, what about the future, worrying about my health etc. I feel like I never switch off. I‘m sure I clench my jaw in my sleep! If my current health issue is just stress/tension related, I need to sort that out! But that feeling of ‘ok I MUST relax’ is stressing me out more! The only thing that I think genuinely relaxes me is a dog walk and an audio book in my headphones. I’ve tried yoga but I really couldn’t do the ‘clear your mind’ part!