I need suggestions for unwinding & "de"stressing. I'm 26, and I work full time and go to school full time (15 units). There are also problems at home with a dying relative. I find that I am more tha physically tired. My brain is tired, too. I don't have the option of cutting back on anything, so I need suggestions on how to avoid mental breakdowns...Any thoughts?
2006-10-09 05:38:45 · 9 answers · asked by Froggy 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I already had a minor mental collapse 2 weeks ago & had to remove myself entirely from classes for a day and 1/2. My problem is that I always take on more than I should, and then drive myself into the ground...
2006-10-09 06:10:55 · update #1
I recognise what you are saying all too well. I said exactly the same thing you are saying : 'I don't have the option of cutting back on anything' ... Then I did suffer a very serious breakdown. It's five years now and I'm only just beginning to feel 'normal' again. I was teaching, looking after 2 relatives and my father died. I led a hectic life style. Now I know different. You DO have options. Imagine a set of weighing scales, draw this if you like, then write all your stresses on one side and all your chill out things on the other. Make the scales balance then you will be in balance. There are 3 options : Either you add much more chill out time to the other side of your scales, or you remove some of the stresses or thirdly, you have a breakdown. You must put yourself first. It may feel selfish but how will you cope if you don't? Have 'me time' that is uninterrupted doing what you like to do. Cancel whatever you can....learn to say no to things you can and try to follow 'The Good Enough' principle. You can't be all things to all people. It has taken years of counselling for me to actually start putting this into practice and I feel truly liberated. If you are able to schedule lots of things in your diary then you MUST schedule in 'me time' . Actually write it in your diary and when someone needs you for something you can check your diary and say I can't. Please please know that you CAN and SHOULD rethink your pace or life before your mind and body force you to. Best wishes.
2006-10-09 06:12:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel your pain... I used to resemble your remarks all too often. Now, though, I have a tool to remind me of my responsibility to myself... yes, I would consider this a mental vacation... a daily mental vacation... prescribed to prevent burnout
I have learned to consider the 24 hours in my day as slices in my "energy pie." I take 2 slices (2 hours) a day for myself (I go to the park, read a book, catch up with friends, take a nap, a bubble bath, get a manicure, whatever the mood commands), whether I need it or not haha, I need 7 for sleep, 1 for my shower, 3 hours for commuting to and from work, 8 hours for work, a total of 1.5 hours for meals = 22.5 hours... that leaves me 1.5 hours to tend to the needs of others. It is in your (and everyone else's) best interests to take your personal time straight off the top (like savings) cause if you don't, there won't be even crumbs left for you after everyone else gets their slice.
Even if you can only take one slice for yourself right now hold it sacred! it is not an understatement to say your mental wellness is at stake.
you can even break it down further - break down your 8 work day slices into important but not urgent; urgent but not important; urgent and important and; not urgent and not important (a modified Johari window)
there are many wellness tools at the site listed below... I am personally fond of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan which might interest/help you
most would likely even call that selfish - to consider yourself - (my definition of selfish is someone wanting something from you at your expense) but the way I see it is that if I burn out, I will not be able to mother my kids, attend to my job, be available to my mom, wife my husband let alone be able to tend to my own needs, I would need help with that... but you already know that part
I hope you find your way to ease back a bit... you can't continue to spread yourself that thin and not suffer some consequences
2006-10-09 23:32:17 · answer #2 · answered by dornalune 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mental health is the yin to the
physical health yang
physical....
--diet: enough h2o, no smoking (reduced o2 makes you tired), oj, iron (in meats) to carry o2 to blood
--sleep: no matter how brief & scattered should be set-up so you can get the most from it...quiet area, loose clothes, alarm clock (or alarm person) so you'll be able to totally relax knowing you won't miss a deadline
--exercise: don't slouch (helps o2 get to lungs/blood increasing energy), try to find something on campus (since you're there) that gets you moving. no matter how little or how brief
mental...
--stay in the moment: you have to keep your "worries" in the here&now
--accept your limitations: since you're doing the best you can "right now" (even if you could do, and have done, more at other times), don't kick yourself about any of that. right now, you're doing what you can. let it be ok
--make a time chart of the future. this most important step helps you see the end of the various chapters in your life, and gives you the boost to keep on with it
g'luck
2006-10-09 13:01:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The free time that you have, take "me" time. Relax at a cafe sippin' a tea or coffee. Make an appointment to get your hair done. Go for a long walk. Go to the beach....whatever it is you like to do. Do this as often as you can. When you start to get overwhelmed, you need to take a mental vacation devoting yourself to you and your needs, or everything else will fall apart. Go get refreshed. Best wishes.
2006-10-09 12:47:49 · answer #4 · answered by tikizgirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, katie.
Close your mental eyes and picture yourself in the shade by the side of a pool on a clear sunny day.
Your laying face down on a cushioned table and your receiving the best shoulder massage, ever.
The massage slowly and gently moves to your upper back and then descends to your lower back, rhythmically, matching beat to the slow jamaican beat in the background.
Your butt is kneaded and pressed, relaxing your legs and hips...
2006-10-09 12:45:28 · answer #5 · answered by timc_fla 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I stress out and I mean STRESS out I take a run or a jog just to cry and clear my head! It works, You have to not care what every thinks because If your crying people have a tendency to want to know what is up. Find yourself a not too crowded area and go for it! It honeslty does help!
2006-10-09 12:47:12 · answer #6 · answered by tankgirl_84 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If cant cut down on anything on your day off go somewhere alone(your secret spot. mine is... well is a secret)
and just forget everything, I hope you have at least one day off, our body and mind needs a rest.
2006-10-09 12:46:55 · answer #7 · answered by jcs_one 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earn some mental money.
2006-10-09 12:46:34 · answer #8 · answered by Gigantic_Tager 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to mental resort
keceng keceng bling bling
2006-10-09 12:41:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋