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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for help resting

30 replies

Hop27 · 21/06/2021 09:49

I've had a tough 6 months, 4th round of IVF failed, huge stress on marriage, stressful senior leadership role in work, isolated as an ex pat and a pretty serious attempt on my life 3 months ago. I've been holding it together (just) and my marriage has stabilised, feeling very supported and loved by DH. However a few very stressful events at work led to me being taken to A&E by the police because I was showing warning sides of being suicidal again. I've been discharged from the acute care team and I've been told to take 1 week off work as a minimum and to rest. However, if I won't/can't rest I've to go in to a private hospital for respite care. I am an active relaxer and struggle to switch off. I recognise that I'm completely burnt out, but have no idea how to rest. I've completely emptied my fridge and freezer, completed an inventory, meal planned, I'm tidying up before my cleaner comes and I found myself planning how to completely gut, re-organise and fitout my walk-in. AIBU to need help resting before I end up being sent into hospital for forced rest.

OP posts:
Sometimesfraught82 · 21/06/2021 09:51

But what you’ve listed seems fine to me.

For some reading is vegging in front of tv

For me, it is meal planning, sorting our cupboards, cleaning the fridge. I put on an audio book and just potter along

Sometimesfraught82 · 21/06/2021 09:51

For some resting

Sometimesfraught82 · 21/06/2021 09:52

1 week off work after being taken to A&E - that doesn’t sound long!

Sirzy · 21/06/2021 09:54

If that’s what helps you relax then that’s fine.

I knew I needed to switch off and relax last week but knew I needed to be by doing something so I got out the paint and started on the skirting boards! Sometimes reading or cross stitch does it for me but when I am very anxious I need to be doing - sitting makes me worse!

Sirzy · 21/06/2021 09:56

Also I think doing those little niggly jobs and feeling more organised can help anyway as it takes another worry out of the occasion and you feel more relaxed knowing things are done- or I certainly do

Hop27 · 21/06/2021 22:01

Yes put I'm up at half 6 pottering about trying to get jobs done while DH is asleep. I'm so tired my bones hurt but I can't seem to give into the feeling that I must be doing something. Work have agreed to bring me my laptop but not until Wednesday......

OP posts:
GlutenFreeGingerCake · 21/06/2021 22:08

Sounds like this constant busyness is to block out unhappy thoughts and feelings so maybe what you need is some therapy to help you deal with the problems you are avoiding.

Hop27 · 21/06/2021 22:11

Wanted to see a specialist psychologist, so been on her wait list for months. Get into see her next week.

OP posts:
Curiosity101 · 21/06/2021 22:18

I'd agree that it sounds like you need additional professional support as you're unlikely to find an overnight cure to help you relax.

I've been in therapy for the past 18 months or so and have completely switched from constant stress/anxiety and planning to living a lot more in the moment.

I used to have list upon list of things to do and never had enough time and never really stopped. Now I've still got my lists but I get to it when I get to it and when I switch off I really switch off. I have a particularly immersive computer game that I enjoy playing but mostly I've just slowed my life right down through practice over an extended period of time. I take a lot more time to enjoy the moment (family, friends, the outdoors etc) in a way that I absolutely couldn't before cause I was always planning the next thing.

If you're looking for an overnight cure... I guess finding something that requires very little mind power and yet is very immersive. Binging TV shows, painting, knitting, ironing, computer games, jigsaws etc. Then keep your mind on task/blank, it'll probably feel very strange focusing on one thing that doesn't actually need your full attention, but it's a great way to slow down and let your mind relax. Also worth googling mindfulness techniques.

GlutenFreeGingerCake · 21/06/2021 22:24

In the meantime I would look for some things to do that require a lot of concentration but allow you to sit down and rest while doing them. I used to find watching a Korean drama good as you have to concentrate on the subtitles and a lot of the stories are rom coms, gripping enough to hold your attention but not upsetting or challenging. Other things you could try are puzzles or a fairly challenging craft you have to concentrate on.

Cowbells · 21/06/2021 22:44

Can you walk in nature? That way you are doing something physical but truly relaxing. You could set yourself things to focus on, like listening for different bird calls or spotting different kinds of leaves on the trees, just to take you out of your own head space and clear your mind.

Snowbind · 21/06/2021 22:49

Start doing some breathing exercises and read up on cbt techniques, they might help. Can you go for a swim? It’ll keep you busy but is hopefully calming!

Hop27 · 21/06/2021 22:58

I've got beautiful parks around me and have a dog who needs to be walked so I've been getting daily fresh air. I thought building some flat pack for my walk in would be good and a way of giving myself some purpose. I have the hairdresser this afternoon, so hoping that will force me to have some downtime.

OP posts:
Alpinechalet · 21/06/2021 23:26

I find the nhs feeling good app www.nhs.uk/apps-library/feeling-good-positive-mindset/ really helpful. Each track is about 15 mins and sitting and listening to it helps you relax. I now frequently fall asleep when listening to it, which is fine.

Hankunamatata · 21/06/2021 23:32

Audio books stop me mind reeling

Poppins2016 · 21/06/2021 23:41

Could you book a few nights away somewhere with your DH? Perhaps being away from home (and away from chores) for a change of scene would help? Take some easy reading magazines, go for walks, etc... failing that, how about setting yourself a couple of slots for down time each day (or the reverse, a couple of slots for doing stuff) and stick to those times.

On the other hand, as a previous poster mentioned, it sounds as though keeping busy is a coping mechanism at the moment... don't put too much pressure on yourself to do what you (or others) think you "should". It sounds as though you're in survival mode and you're simply doing what you can to get through. It would be worth discussing what's behind this (plus other coping mechanisms) with the psychologist when you see them.

Hop27 · 22/06/2021 00:59

DH is taking me away once school holidays are over, our borders are still closed to finding accommodation is really hard. I'm going out for a walk and a coffee shortly and due to throw a big Christmas in July party soon so throwing my energy into planning that!

OP posts:
Hop27 · 22/06/2021 01:02

Although, I will admit I am obsessing over it ......

OP posts:
PawsQueen · 22/06/2021 01:08

Any TV series you've been wanting to watch?
I get stuck into games on my phone, brain training, nonograms, clockmaker etc
If you like baths then have a long one, podcast/audio book, do all the shave legs/paint nails/whatever pamper stuff you do
Nap. Nothing wrong with it!
Baking? I find it really relaxing and often do that at odd hours Blush work know I'm stressed if I appear with 100 biscuits
Knitting/crochet/rag rug/stuff that keeps your hands busy

I think as long as you're not dashing madly about, try and just potter even if it's sitting tidying a cupboard and that counts as relaxing

Sometimesfraught82 · 22/06/2021 06:20

What do these people suggest for those of us that are single parents with children.

I could t just down tools and do bugger all!

In any event, I would test to and sitting all day enforced “testing” would stress the helm out of me.

Stop stressing about fact you are pottering around, clearing cupboards, meal planning etc.
These are at home, gentle activities that have the benefit of being productive.

Get some nature incorporated through walks.

Sorted

PacifyLulu · 22/06/2021 06:26

OP do you think that maybe the hospital option might actual be best for you for a short time. What you have been through is extremely difficult and not something that you can bounce back from easily.
I don’t think non-medically trained strangers can advise whether what you are doing is relaxing enough although I suspect if it was you wouldn’t need to post.
If the medical advice you’ve received is that hospital is the best place of relaxing is a struggle for you then I think you should follow that advice.
Best of luck Flowers

purplesequins · 22/06/2021 06:34

sounds good to me as well.
unless I have a fever I'm always on the go.

I have to actively take out time to breathe.
just a couple of minutes, actively breathing. (my watch has an app for that)

Nowthisisme · 22/06/2021 06:45

You don’t sound like the activity you are doing is currently relaxing for you. Is the hospital option so bad?

supercritter · 22/06/2021 06:55

Attend to your nervous system. The vagus nerve is very involved in what state we are in can use this to calm yourself. Lots of things on YouTube about it ; from rubbing spots in ears to humming singing breathwork etc. Irene lyon explains it well.
You might find that moving is what your body needs so something like TRE might help (David Berceli channel on YouTube). You can work on this through your physiology answell as psychologically. Hope you feel better soon

PurplePansy05 · 22/06/2021 07:06

OP, FWIW I see a lot of me in your post, me at my worst after my first miscarriage which traumatised me for many reasons. I then went on to have two more, now pregnant with my little boy, 33 weeks. 2.5 years of hell. Also a senior role in work. I'm also the planner, organiser and scheduler by nature and definitely take upon myself more than I should because DH is horizontal, not even laid back. Also doesn't fully get my concerns or emotions because he's an optimis whilst I'm a realist, and also an anxious planner for the worst, just in case.

I never attempted suicide, but at my worst I genuinely thought if I trip over now and fall in front of that train at the main station, things will be easier for me and everyone else. I felt so shit that I didn't want to be here. I had a constant chain of thoughts in my mind, my mind was racing and never resting. My body felt physically inflamed with exhaustion. I became insomniac. I was constantly rushing, threw myself into a number of huge projects, kept busy with my appearance, planned every second of my life way ahead and NEVER rested or enjoyed my life. At all, in fact. I took no pleasure from seeing friends so I avoided them. Never did anything that normal people consider nice with DH.

After about 5 months I was so burnt out and exhausted that I couldn't cope. One day I had some difficult news over the phone from my friend and I broke down. I had to take time off. I went straight to counselling, privately, because NHS dismissed my concerns about the state of my MH.

I am telling you this because talking therapy was a great help to me. It was my time to open up and let go of all the burden, heavy thoughts and emotional difficulties I was going through. For some reason I felt that I had to run away from them by keeping constantly busy. This strategy seemed to have worked for a period of time, but in reality it led to a complete burn out. It very much sounds to me like you've turned into what you're doing even more than you usually do because it gives you the sense of comfort, control, familiarity and inner peace. However, this comes at a cost to your body and mind. There is something under that lid that you need to let go off first. I'm so glad you're going to have therapy and I hope it really helps you. FWIW, I thought mine was doing nothing for 2 months, but then suddenly I realised I was able to actually take a break. And rest again. And then started enjoying the smaller things in life again and have some positivity. I've realised my life was taken over by grief and massive anxiety.

If I'm honest, the latter didn't completely go away, but it's now managed better. The former has become my companion in time, not welcome, but accepted, and that's ok.

Sorry if I'm off the mark here but your post has really struck a chord with me as I could have written this myself 2 years ago and frankly it would have been my desperate cry for help because things weren't right, but I didn't know how to fix them.

You're doing all the right things now. It will take some time to be more balanced again. What also helped me greatly was learning to meditate, acupuncture and reflexology. I cannot recommend them enough, but together with your therapy, not as a replacement. I ultimately took on jogging and drawing too and these new activities helped. But I did this after I recovered more energy first. Your mind and body need to come first and reenergise - you are the most important Flowers. Best wishes to you & take care xxx

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