What is your Stress Level

Why Stress

Why do we get stressed out? Does this help solve anything? Not usually, no. Is there anything good about stress? Once again, no there isn’t.

It’s eleven at night as I write this. Everyone is asleep except of course me. It was kind of a stressful day for me. That means my mind is active and I cannot sleep. Thoughts swirl around in my brain on a never ending loop. I cannot shut it off. Try as I might to get to sleep, sleep eludes me. I close my eyes, try to clear my head. It doesn’t work. My mind keeps wandering back to the day I had. 

I ask myself time and time again why I let things get to me. I tell myself to let it go, it is hard. I worry, get anxious, and start to stress. It puts me in a bad mood, and it puts my husband in an even worse mood. 

A Good Night's Sleep

One of the most common problems that go along with stress is lack of sleep. It is my number one symptom. If I have a stressful day, chances are I will not get a good night's sleep. Another is panic attacks. I may or may not have had one or two. That is what my doctor tells me anyway. I know I have OCD; I am a type A personality. I have a need to be in control. The exact reason I do not drink alcohol. It is a loss of control, how we act, what we say, being inebriated effects all of our body functions.

Dogs

What can I do to alleviate this? At this point in my life, I am not sure of the answer to that question. They say stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension from adverse or very demanding circumstances. This is pretty much my life right now. I’m just not quite sure how to fix it. I believe for me it is a lack of control. No control over certain situations. I cannot control how Ernie; our rescue dog will react while walking him. His trigger is people, some he reacts to, some he doesn’t. Unpredictably, which makes me disappointed and causes me stress. When walking I try to relax, but I can feel myself tense up whenever we see someone, because of Ernie’s behavior. It makes the walk stressful and not enjoyable. I’d love to take a nice leisurely stroll with Ernie and not worry if he is going to suddenly lunge at a person. I keep wondering if this will ever be a reality.

Let’s not blame everything on the dog, there are other reasons I get stressed. Gary says seeing me stress causes him stress. Not a good situation. He just wants to relax, recline and watch tv. Apparently in our house sometimes that is asking too much. 

Stay Active

They say the best way to rid yourself of stress is to get active or meditate. Two very different things, but with the same result. Laugh more, connect with others. These are all ways to combat stress. I run. So the getting active part I have down pat. Last week I had a stressful week and one particular day, I thought I was going to lose it. So I ran. It wouldn’t have mattered what the temperature was outside. I just needed to get out of the house and run. Running often saves me from myself.

Stress Overload

I recently saw a study that said stress can lead to high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. I agree with all except in my case I tend not to eat when I’m stressed so obesity would not be something I need to worry about. Diabetes runs in my family, so maybe I should be concerned about that. High blood pressure is not something I’ve ever had, plus I’m a runner so my normal blood pressure is low.

Stress overload-A feeling of being constantly pressured, hassled, and hurried. Irritability and moodiness, headaches and chest pain. This has been me on a daily basis. It’s not good for my health nor my marriage. 

A Solution to My Problem

Finding a solution is pertinent. Sooner rather than later would be a good thing. I cannot go on for much longer like this. I feel the tension in my back neck and shoulders. A tightness that doesn’t go away. Sudden bursts of anger or uncontrollable crying, along with difficulty eating are symptoms I experience. Worrying about things that are out of my control is another problem I have. If I don't have anything to worry about I’ll find something. It’s what I do.

Now it’s time for me to undo it. Things have to get better, they cannot possibly get any worse.

For my own well being I need to put stress on the back burner and get on with my life.

I need to take care of myself first. If I don’t do it, who will?

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Stress, who needs it.

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