For Lent, I am trying to give up worrying and be more trusting. This is so hard for me, especially right now, but it's really what I need the most. I am having a lot of trouble sleeping, as I spend hours lying awake in bed and obsessing about the upcoming surgery. Yes, it's two and a half loooong months away. I definitely need to be able to sleep in the upcoming months, especially as the surgery approaches. But I'm just so concerned, and frankly scared, about such a major surgery. The thought of being on the table for 12 hours, in the hospital for 5 days, away from my family for endless days as I heal from the surgery and then afterwards as I am quite likely going to have my radiation treatment in Houston at my plastic surgeons urging. All of these things cause me anxiety, worry, and fear. What better time than the present to try to rid my life of these negatives and really focus on positives? So much easier said than done!
I have been leaning on old stand-boys and trying a few new strategies to aid me in the process of freeing up my mind. Prayer, meditation, guided imagery, affirmations, exercise, therapy, talking with family and friends, writing. Playing with my kids, reading to children and to myself, loving on dogs, taking bubble baths. These are all helpful. I'd love to hear what methods you use to release unwanted stress and worry! What works for you on a regular basis?
Love you! I know carrying these worries can be heavy. I saw this quote on Pinterest the other day that said 'you will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply because they are heavy'. You have a heavy load right now. I have started journaling. I like to print the cute quotes from Pinterest & then write about them. I feel that it helps me get things out & calms down my brain before I sleep. I know my stress is different. Everyone has their own strategies but it has really helped me. I hope you find something that works for you. Love you! ⚓
ReplyDeleteHey there
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to reassure about the surgery part. Try not to worry about the hours on the table. You are going to fall asleep and when you wake it up it will all be done and only feel like one minute has gone by to you.
I like to run with my dog to really relax. Let me know if you need anything. Big hugs
V
Chamomile tea and long walks on the trails help me
ReplyDeleteViji
Over the years these are some of the things I have found helpful
ReplyDeletecolor-yes coloring books by yourself
puzzles
gathering information on some strange topic that I have no knowledge of and writing about it-then tossing it. Keeps my mind busy and puts me to sleep
call a friend and let it all out then regather
paint by number
lists of any and everything
reread all the children's books you liked
handwork-knitting always gets me sleepy
learn an instrument you don't know
tell friends and strangers to tell you a happy story from their life history
These things have led me to boredom and sleep or interest and exhausted my mind
You are in our prayers Bonnie and Glenn
These are some great ideas that I wouldn't have thought of!
DeleteDear Shelly,
ReplyDeleteAs cliche as it sounds I keep reminding myself to "stay in the present moment. Don't jump into the unknown with fear." Instead of thinking of everything I am afraid of, I begin to think of all that I am grateful for.
As a child and a young adult and an impoverished single mom I always reminded myself that worry does not fix anything and assured myself that I was doing everything I could possibly do to fix the situation and then I let go and let God. You truly have to let go and let God while doing your part and continue to fight the good fight. He does his part and you do yours...recipe for success!!!!! xo Jeff and Sara
ReplyDeleteSomething that really helps me is good music, whether it is calm relaxing music at times or old fun songs from the past that you can belt out in the car. For some reason that helps me forget about what ever is bugging me. I also like all the other ideas that have been given. Another one that can help maybe with getting to sleep is reading the bible, it is really good to read but it almost always makes me sleepy when I start reading it:). I love you and think about you all the time!! Wish I could be there to give you a big hug!
ReplyDeleteLove Jen
-MUSIC!!!
ReplyDelete-walking
-reading
-warm showers
-playing card games
-PRAYER!!
Love you!
Xanax! HAHA! But seriously, find a project with a deadline, even if it is a something like a book club or art class. At night if your brain won't shut down (as mine NEVER does), jot down notes on a notepad then you won't feel the need to continue to think about it with the underlying fear of forgeting stuff. And my fail-safe for talking myself off a ledge is concentrating on my breath. Seriously, concentrate on inhaling (thinking inhale) then exhale (thinking the word exhale) - lame but it seemed to work when I was competing and it can continue to work. A mantra of your kids & dogs names have helped me through extreme pressure too. ANYWAY. xoxoxoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI honestly opened this reply section to steal the ideas for myself :) I love ALL the ideas, use the music and reading and breathing focus myself. But if I am in a full nighttime panic, almost nothing will calm me down and I have to remember that worry is an emotion and emotions get moved thru. It's a wave, I have to ride it, buckle in, hang on and believe that it will pass -- because it always has historically, 100% of the time. I've even written that sentence down and carried it in my purse. I also once, during a really difficult time, found a photograph (Nazar) and made it the screen saver on my phone so I would remember to breathe every time I saw it.
ReplyDeleteBut to keep the dark and twisties AWAY, I am a fan of distraction. A great book that I can really get into (not necessarily great or helpful literature, think Hunger Games or David Sedaris) puts me to sleep every night. Every night. With a book light -- it's like my brain's cue that I should be falling asleep soon and now, 9 months into this practice, I almost never stay awake longer than 3 pages.
Morning pages is supposed to work -- I started my practice 2 days ago and you have to commit to everyday for at least a month if not more, so I'll report back. The idea is you write 3 pages of stream of consciousness writing every morning (btw, I amended this to be Pages, b/c mornings are too stressful to always accomplish it). Apparently epiphany upon epiphany awaits on the other side. We'll see.
Best suggestion, hardest to accomplish, failsafe works -- find something other than yourself to worry about. Volunteer. I can help you come up with some things that you can do that you don't have to leave the house (calls for a political party or cause, calls to find fosters for APA, crochet beanie hats for babes, etc). Research an issue that has bothered you, get REALLY bothered and find a way to get involved (write letters, etc).
All else fails, give up on sleep for the moment and watch The Devil Wears Prada :)