Relieving stress without resorting to alcohol or chocolate!

[Azzie]

Help! I seem to be having a stressful time at the moment, what with amount of work, ds starting school, and dd generally being 2 years old. My eczema is flaring up and I'm having trouble sleeping. Any ideas/tips on how I can bring a bit of relaxation/stress relief into my weekly or daily routine (without resorting to alcohol or food - I eat when stressed and it's doing me no good at all ). What works for you?

I meant to add gardening rather than resend the message

robinw.... perhaps the reason why you fear dentists is because of your associations with electric toothbrushes

Ah Bobbins you're here !
Go and answer some of the 80s music questions on the other thread - I'm really stuck & need your help !

Azzie, just one pointer - if you're having trouble sleeping, exercise shouldn't happen too late in the day, neither should a bath. Your body will be too hot to sleep well. Bath no less than 2 hours before bed. Dead sea salts (Boots, Superdrug a couple of quid) have sometimes helped to deepen my sleep, and they're very good for skin. Kgirl, I run in a baseball hat. It makes me feel like a celeb!

Toots

Thats a good idea. I chickened out of doing it today convinced myself wasn't feeling well enough. Should just go for it

Kk girl (and particularly Azzie, because of the sleep probs) if you do run, make sure you stay well hydrated, wear roomy enough trainers and stretch properly. I was looking forward to a wonderful sleep after my half hour run, but I was up twice in the night with cramp in my calf. So this morning I looked it up and these were the suggestions. Complicated life, isn't it?

Agree with everything said about running and sex.

Also, if you're a bit run down you might try Rescue Remedy. It's only about £5.95 for a bottle, totally homeopathic, just put a few drops on your tongue. I use it a lot if things are getting me down, not getting enough sleep or I just need a pick-me-up. Works for me (not as good as the running/sex thing but at least I can carry it in my bag).

Azzie, tried yoga for first time in my life tonight and it was great. There was a bit of hippy s* ("just get used to being in this space and allow the floor to support you" - errr, yes, I will) but once she got past that I have to say it was very relaxing and just what I needed after a stressful day. The 3 glasses of wine afterwards tonight have definitely helped too though, I'll sleep well tonight!

Thanks to everyone - I'll give some of these things a try. I've had bouts of depression in years gone by, and at the moment I can feel myself slipping towards it again, so I need to do something to try and stop the slide. Ds is much more settled at school now, which is good, but work is still pretty stressful. I have daydreams about giving it all up and becoming a SAHM, but if I'm brutally honest with myself I would be running away from something rather than running towards something (IYKWIM).

Just a quick update.

I finally did it today!!!! I went running.
It wasn't much of a run but I alternated between walking and running for about 1/2 a mile, with probably 75% walking and 25% running.
Was very self conscious, stopped if I saw a person or a car, but at least finally I have made the effort.
I did have one problem, I didn't know what to do with my arms; they didn't swing naturally, just sort of hung about. Should I consciously make them swing or what?

well done kkgirl, I hope you can keep it up.

The most important thing is to relax your arms and shoulders. There should be a natural bend at the elbow. Imagine you were wearing a pair of the old gym knickers from your school days and your thumb should go backwards and forwards roughly in line with the bottom of those imaginary knickers. Does that make sense? If you feel your arms and shoulders getting tense, imagine that you are carrying a crisp between your thumb and forefinger and you mustn't drop it nor must your crush it. Not sure how this keeps yor shoulders relaxed but it does.

I would imagine that once you relax while out running, which will come with time, then your arms will hang naturally anyway. Try not to cross them in front of you as this will restrict the opening of your chest and hinder your breathing.

Just read through what I've typed and now thinking that this is just too much information and you're now thinking "oh stuff it, I dont think i'll bother again". If that's the case, please disregard everything and just enjoy your running, with your arms above your head if it makes you happy. And running will make you happy, believe me.

And finally, please remember, particularly if you are running at night and/or alone, tell someone where you are going, how long you intend to be and wear bright colours.
Happy running!!

well done you, kkgirl!

Well done kkgirl - go you! Try not to mind what other people think - if they're into keeping fit/looking after themselves then they'll think 'good for her', and if they think you look a joke then more fool them - if they can't appreciate what you're doing for yourself then they're not worth bothering with.

That's what I keep telling myself as I amble around the streets, anyway (5 miles for the first time ever today!).

Just a quick update. Havn't managed any more running but have managed to buy a bike now, so that when I can manage it (ie with at most two of the kids or even alone) I can go out and get some fresh air.
Am quite pleased with myself about it so hope to get fit and slim and healthy.