The Warning Signs When Life Stresses Catch Up – Part 2
As I stated in my previous post, yesterday was going to be the day – the day I would turn this whole stressful mess around – make a strong effort to not letting the horrible messes that surround me, get to me so much – I can’t stand dirt, clutter and chaos.
Everyone was up and off doing their own thing. I decided to grab a quick bite to eat before I headed off to a doctors appointment. Everything seemed fine – until out of the blue my chest began to hurt like I’ve never felt before. The pain began to move up and through my left shoulder and through my arm. I stood from the table, began to pace my kitchen trying to shake it off. While shaking my arm, horrible thoughts began racing through my mind… What will Trey and Coty do? I can’t leave my kids to their father who can’t raise a carrot properly!
I pleaded for God to help me through this — Having a grandfather who suffered heart disease – I thought back to what grandma would do. I took three aspirin and called for my husband. I went to my room to lay down for a bit and calm down since the pain was starting to pass – I focused on my breathing and getting my heart rate to slow.
I kept my doctors appointment and after a few tests including an EKG, it was determined that I had experienced a full blown panic attack.
As the result of that panic attack and the horrifying thoughts of my children being left without me — I have committed to making some serious and healthy changes in my life and the main one being to realize that I can’t be everything to everyone.
Are you overwhelmed with stress? Do you listen to warning signs as they present themselves? What are some of the things you do in your life to fight stress and keep it at bay as much as possible?
I think you nailed it when you said you can’t be everything to everyone, that even includes yourself – meaning that you can’t always do everything you want to do, especially these days when there is so much to choose from.
I am still a tad overloaded, but my constant anxiety has reduced over the past year as I’ve made a conscious effort to reduce everything and to choose a few priorities to focus on – the top priorities being my home and family and my health.
I remind myself of this every day when I find myself stressing that I’m not doing ‘other things’.
We only live once as you know, and I don’t want to have any regrets.
My mantra these days is ’simplify’.
Every step I take in that direction is the right one!
My prayers are with you. Just breathe…and take one day at a time.
I have two areas in which I deal with stress. One you already know and the other is my side of the family. Many people don’t realize or they do but simply ignore thinking it can’t get bad but dealing with the pressures of your family or his family can really take a toll on you, if you aren’t careful. Growing up I was always the type of daughter that would do ANYTHING I was told. I put up with a lot of things from my past, which are now ghosts which come out to haunt me from time to time.
For me my stress stems from disapproval from my side. I’ve decided that I no longer care about whether or not I will ever get an approval, it’s just not something that will happen. There will always be something else I can approve on. I can’t deal with the arguing and no longer will, I dread the phone ringing these days. So I’ve decided that until everyone will LAY OFF I’m done. I will not be answering the phone, emails or IMS for my own sake. I end up getting the shakes really bad when I deal with stuff like this and for that I won’t keep putting myself, my kids or my own body through. While I’ve never experienced a “heart attack” I do know the “shakes” can lead to passing out and as a mother of four that’s just not possible.
I’ve always had a difficult time telling people no. I take care of things for my parents when they need it – oversee my brother and some of his activities because, well, he’s a guy and makes guy type decisions that aren’t always the wisest. Then my family – husband, kids etc.
Sometimes it’s just too much.
My husband did admit that he and everyone else keeps relying on me for everything because I seem so “capable” – but I stressed to him that I’m NOT capable really. I’m just programed to do what I gotta do and if I feel my family needs me to do something – I will push myself to accomplish it.
The best my family can do – is not count on me to say no because that won’t happen. It’s better to just not ask to begin with
I had that once.
Ended up in the ER convinced I was dying.
Yoga darlin’.