Stress, Sleep, and More, Oh My!
We're heading into a weird time of the year, during a weird year, so I thought it might be interesting to have an open thread — how's your stress level right now? How is your sleep? Are you happy with your current food/beverage intake, or do you find yourself eating or drinking too much? As we head into “the holidays,” however those may look for you this year, do you think any of that will change?
For my $.02, I thought my stress level would be much better after the election — and my sleep, and my eating and beverage habits. And I'm pleased that I'm doomscrolling a lot less than I was before the election. BUT I'm finding that my end-of-year stress (all those 2020 goals and resolutions I didn't do, whee!) and holiday stress (must. find. perfect. gifts!) is colliding with my lingering election/transition/just-concede-already stress into a new and exciting form of stress! (I'm being sarcastic.)
My sleep has been lousy, the Halloween candy is calling my name, and our drinking could, uh, be better. I've been trying to treat myself to extra long, restorative yoga sessions, long walks in sunlight listening to fun dance music, and damnit, I'm totally going to try to learn how to shuffle at some point. But the idea, to me, of trying to do better or be better in the last six weeks of the year is laughable, at least based on history. (Dry January and January Dietbet challenges exist for a reason, right?)
So anyway…. let's talk. How are you guys doing? Are you feeling stressed right now? Are you leaning into the stress (as one friend said, “Whatever, it's a pandemic, so who cares if I eat a million brownies?”) or are you planning on doing, like, Whole 30 soon? If you're trying to just keep an even keel until January 1, what does your self-care plan look like?
Stock photo via Stencil.
Called my PCP for depression/anxiety meds today. Had success when I used them 5 years ago for about 9 months. Felt myself sliding back into the hole – hoping they do the trick again because this isn’t sustainable. :(
Good for you for calling your PCP! This all is so hard.
Did this last week. My doctor says everyone is depressed right now.
Yep, did the same 2 weeks ago. Trying all my normal stuff to push through and not dwell on thoughts that bring me down. But, I can not rid myself of the anxiety of being home for the next 6months. I’m overwhelmed.
I recently stopped drinking. Not sure if it is forever, but starting to feel that way. I would drink one glass of wine one night a week, two glasses two nights, a bottle one or two nights, and nothing one or two nights a week. But, I found myself just wanting it everyday and one glass really was never enough unless I was hungover.
With that being my focus, I am being kind with my diet. Generally still fasting until the afternoon though.
I am focusing on exercising, a lot of peloton, walks with my dogs and some yoga. I am not good at doing yoga at home, so not doing as much as I’d like to.
Honestly, I feel like I’m barely coping these days. I’m so tired and the holidays feel like just one more thing to do (and, in some ways, even worse because I feel this latent pressure to make it extra special since we won’t see family this year).
Won my first jury trial today. How should I celebrate in the Covid days?
Congratulations! Take a walk! Take a bath! Do a fun workout! Order your favorite takeout! Drink a fancy wine! Watch a trashy Christmas movie or the Crown! You are the best!
Congrats! That’s huge, you deserve a celebration! Online toast with friends or anyone on your team (colleague, paralegal, etc.)? Champagne and fancy carry-out at home? Or an indulgent/pricey dessert item?
I feel like I’m doing everything I can to manage my stress (eating OK, exercising often), but I’m still having bouts of insomnia. I wake up with a sore jaw from clenching it all night long. I don’t even know what I’m worried about, exactly, because I’ve tried to pinpoint it. It’s just a constant low-grade hum of nervous energy. I’m already on a low dose of an SSRI and would prefer to not increase my dosage, for a number of reasons. Walks and brief yoga sessions help take the edge off a bit.
Melatonin time release works great & will not interfere with meds
Maybe a separate anxiety med would be another possibility. Or adding more intense exercise/cardio if possible.
Take Tryptophan….3 capsules of Source Naturals brand before bed. It is an essential amino acid and helps increase serotonin.
Go to dentist and get TMJ mouth guard if you’re grinding…. Makes a big difference, i get less headaches and just feel better when i use it.
How timely. I work a reduced schedule and have a supportive partner. Eat and sleep well, occasional exercise, have a hobby. Objectively I have it pretty good and I should be ok. But this feels like the week I’m hitting the wall. I’m worried about my special needs kid falling further behind than they already are, distance learning is not working despite their teacher’s solid efforts, I feel powerless to help or change this in any meaningful way, and I’m just feeling very over it. I wanted to go back to full time work this year but that would just make logistics harder for all of us, so I feel stuck. Mad, grumpy, frustrated, and then guilty when I inevitably vent these emotions on my family. For me, I can release anxiety when I feel like I have a plan or I’ve done what I can to help the situation — so, e.g., for the election, once I put my ballot in the box and donated some money, I could release a lot of stress and not fixate. But I can’t plan for or change the overall situation and I’m mad about it and it just sucks. Reading this actually makes me see that I probably do have some actions I could take, so it’s probably depression making me feel so powerless right now. I did just start therapy and seeking treatment for suspected adhd. Hopefully it will help.
Ladies, I have found the miracle cure for this just recently: CBD/THC tinctures. Until I tried this, I had zero experience with controlled substances beyond alcohol. The lowest concentration, just a half dose, and I am KNOCKED OUT for 8 solid hours. I wake up feeling profoundly rested – as though a small army of massage gnomes were kneading my back while I slept.
It is truly amazing, and I am thankful to avoid a prescription drug.
So stressed – started a new job during the pandemic, moved across the country, family member back home in a serious
health crisis, housemate has decided covid is a hoax, the whole shebang feels like it’s falling apart.
I end the day feeling like I’ve run 3 marathons. BUT – I’m actually sleeping really well these days. Everything is so exhausting that I’m pretty much out as soon as I take off my shoes! A small silver lining.
I think you said it perfectly in regards to all the stresses running together – that is exactly how I have been feeling!
I’m finally starting to feel a bit more settled about the election, but am struggling with 2020 coming to a close with what feels like nothing to show for it.
One positive is I think those feelings are pushing me forward to do better – this weekend I’ve taken steps towards a few goals I have for 2021 (weight loss, career changes and better work/life balance). I also started shopping for Christmas decorations which is bringing me joy and a sense of normalcy :) I don’t want to wait for the new year to start since this one has already been such a wash, so trying to make the most out of it while I still can!
Good sleep- This benefit can be seen in all sorts of situations where people have trouble sleeping.
For example, pregnant women who start a Mindful yoga practice in their second trimester sleep better and wake up less often throughout the night, and cancer patients sleep better if they do yoga it can also help you sleep better—especially if you suffer from insomnia. primehealthblog.c