blah blah blah...

[INTJMom]

blah blah blah... you know the drill
Ack! I guess I'll just let it out and see what happens.

I'm really stressed out. I've had a headache every day for almost 2 weeks. I've got pain running down both my arms into my elbows. I'm starting to despair of living again... but it's only when I start worrying about the future. If I force myself to just think about right now, it goes away.

All week long I've been worrying about my husband dropping dead. He just had a bad report from the doctor and got put on 3 medications. We have to drastically change the way we eat, which means I have to change the way I cook... and I hate cooking to begin with. Ugh. There are so many restrictions and parameters. And healthy food is so expensive! My boss isn't answering my emails. I haven't spoken to her in over a week.

I'm tired...

 

[INTJMom]

another stress headache...

 

[Guest]

Hey Mom. I'm confused and concerned.

Your boss hasn't responded to your emails in a week? Are you not working right now?

And what is going on with your arms? Is it a repetitive stress injury (I still suffer from radiculopathy in my right arms, but it's more manageable now that I work far less hours). I know I've said this before, but please listen to your body. I did not, and I was unable to work for two years, and the most benign things such as brushing my teeth or driving were unbearable.

One thing I recommend - as often as you possibly can, lay on the floor, on your back, with your feet on the floor (knees up at an angle you are comfortable with - you can let your knees knock together if that's better), put your hands on your abdomen (one under your diaphragm, the other beneath it), and consciously release all tension in your body. Say, "Stop. Let the neck be free. To let the head go forward and up. To let the back lengthen and widen. To continue the extension to the shoulders, to the elbows, to the wrists, to the hands, to the fingers." Then say, "Soften. Release. Let go." Imagine yourself melting into the floor. Do not move anything in your body as you say these things - the idea is to direct the muscles to return to their natural state without any movement on your part. This is the Alexander Technique, and it helps me quite a bit.

What is going on with your husband? Heart concerns? Think positively about the change in your diet - for example, it may help you achieve that Miribai Holland body sooner than you planned!

Hugs, my friend. I'm thinking of you.

 

[heart]

All week long I've been worrying about my husband dropping dead. He just had a bad report from the doctor and got put on 3 medications. We have to drastically change the way we eat, which means I have to change the way I cook... and I hate cooking to begin with. Ugh.



I totally understand about the cooking thing. It's not even that I don't like to cook, it's just all the details. Sometimes it's overwhelming to have to plan for, buy food and cook.

 

[INTJMom]

Your boss hasn't responded to your emails in a week? Are you not working right now?

I am working. She's still in Florida. It's irritating to me that she hasn't been answering my emails. Usually that's the best way to reach her. I'm sure when I finally talk to her she'll tell me how straight out busy she was.

And what is going on with your arms?

All I can figure is that it's from me tensing up my neck and shoulder blades while I'm sleeping... which is what I historically do when I'm under too much stress.

I know I'm stressed out because all day yesterday my "startle reflex" was overly sensitive, and I also feel like crying when I get alone. But to tell you the truth, I don't know what's the matter with me. I mean... I didn't know I was "that" stressed out.

I will try to do that Alexander thing. I'm not that coordinated. I hope I can figure it out.

What is going on with your husband? Heart concerns?

blood pressure, cholesterol, heart... both his parents died at age 49. He's 50.

 

[INTJMom]

I totally understand about the cooking thing. It's not even that I don't like to cook, it's just all the details. Sometimes it's overwhelming to have to plan for, buy food and cook.

Thanks for the hugs, heart. Yeah, it's the planning I hate the most, too... mostly because by the time I cross off the list of potential things to eat the things that everyone in the family dislikes, it leaves very little variety, and then I get complaints of, "*groan* That again?"

And I'll tell you what, nothing is more demotivating than complaints.

 

[Guest]

Deleted because sometimes it's more helpful for me to not try to help. Just know I'm thinking of you.

 

[INTJMom]

Beyond...

Thank you, Luv. It DOES make me feel better just knowing you care.

 

[INTJMom]

I'm kind of worried about my emotional well-being because I was at the grocery store last night looking at the boneless chicken and suddenly the food seemed revolting to me. That's never happened to me in the 26 years I've been making meals. I mean I felt sick to my stomach and I was afraid I was going to barf.

And a couple other times recently, I felt sort of repelled by food. I wonder what's the matter?

 

[DigitalMethod]

I get repelled by food sometimes too!
I never connected it to my emotional health though, that is an interesting theory...

It happens to me more with meats for some reason.
Try grains instead (I never get repelled by grains).

 

[INTJMom]

Well, I don't know what I'm talking about. Like I said it's never happened before.
I'm starting to think I just have a stomach virus or something.