Happy February people! February is usually a horrible wintry month that I absolutely love. It's my birthday, it's Valentine's day, it's the month we buy a house!
February came in with a freaking bang. The work week was one to remember. And one I'd like to forget. By Friday, I desperately needed a way to unwind. I'm not actually sure what I did on Friday night because I can't remember any more. I do know that I turned off my cell phone when I got home. And I left it off this weekend.
My weekend has been spent doing things I love and leaving the stressful issues at the front door. They're not bothering me in our tiny little home. We are a few boxes closer to being packed and ready to leave. I spent a lot of time getting caught up on laundry and putting it away.
I knocked a couple things off my pinterest list:
Jillee's coconut oil and olive oil heaven - happy feet :)
DIYconfessions' eczema cream - I've had a patch on my right wrist for 3 months now! ugh.
Knot a scarf like a pro
The BEST dryer balls - I made these a couple weeks ago, but I L.O.V.E them!
Last night we went out for dinner which was awesome. Today I am getting lunch ready for the week. Then my hubs is treating me to a delicious dinner at home because we're celebrating my birthday a weekend early. My hubs has been doting on me all weekend. I LOVE THIS MAN! Off to more relaxing...
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Saturday, September 8, 2012
The cheese
I'm originally from Wisconsin and grew up with a (not so) healthy love of cheese. I've been eating cheese in small amounts since May (everything in moderation!) I found a great pre-made pizza crust by Udi's and like to top it with Meijer Naturals spaghetti sauce or homemade pizza sauce, some mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. I've occasionally added it to some of the enchilada casseroles and other things.
Last week, my spouse went into the hospital for major surgery. I got ready for the several day in-patient stay by packing a cooler and some clothes. I grabbed some lunch meat and chopped up a block of cheese and other things for some quick and easy snacks/meals so I wouldn't have to worry about the hospital cafeteria. This was great in theory...
Then, the hospital didn't follow physician orders for my hubby's post surgery care and there were several complications. The added stress on everyone plus the changes in my eating habits were fairly catastrophic. The cheese ... the cheese is gone and off the grocery list.
The stress load itself was nothing I could have imagined. We're finally home after 6 days (supposed to be 2) in the hospital. I can tell he's feeling better now when I see cute love notes on the fridge and feel him sneaking in cuddling moments even though he's still in a lot of pain and chock-full of pain medications. So now we have a lot of cheesy moments and not a lot of real cheese. But there is a lot of wine, dark chocolate and other indulgences for me. And naps for both of us.
Last week, my spouse went into the hospital for major surgery. I got ready for the several day in-patient stay by packing a cooler and some clothes. I grabbed some lunch meat and chopped up a block of cheese and other things for some quick and easy snacks/meals so I wouldn't have to worry about the hospital cafeteria. This was great in theory...
Then, the hospital didn't follow physician orders for my hubby's post surgery care and there were several complications. The added stress on everyone plus the changes in my eating habits were fairly catastrophic. The cheese ... the cheese is gone and off the grocery list.
The stress load itself was nothing I could have imagined. We're finally home after 6 days (supposed to be 2) in the hospital. I can tell he's feeling better now when I see cute love notes on the fridge and feel him sneaking in cuddling moments even though he's still in a lot of pain and chock-full of pain medications. So now we have a lot of cheesy moments and not a lot of real cheese. But there is a lot of wine, dark chocolate and other indulgences for me. And naps for both of us.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Stress Management
We all have to deal with stress every day. But when you're living with PCOS this can exacerbate your symptoms and make your life much more challenging. (read the PCOS Diva's take on stress here and here)
So how do you deal with this? How many of us can quit our stressful jobs right now for a less stressful one? How many of us can walk away from a stressful moment and not continue thinking about it? If you can, that is wonderful and I commend you!
I daydream of how much more I would enjoy every day if I didn't spend 8+ hours running from one urgent situation to another trying to find a resolution that will please everyone.
I actually dream of work-related problems or chasing after unknown objects or running away from things in my dreamworld. I wake up some mornings from these dreams and roll out of bed knowing that I need to keep working on dealing with the many ways that my life is full of stress.
Here's what's working for me now:
Work Stays At Work. By the time I get out of the car when I get home, any venting or complaining or thinking about work has to stop. I'll call someone and debrief on my way home. I'll talk things through to myself (yes I'm one of those people that loves bluetooth because now you can't figure out if I'm talking to myself alone in the car or talking to someone!) or spend time just reflecting on a situation. But that's where it ends.
Eat! I have demanding work days and in the past I would skip all meals because I didn't have time to stop for a regular lunch. Which was horrible for my body and my mind. I keep my lunch bag on my desk and pack snacks I can eat in 1-2 minutes throughout the day and a lunch meal that I can easily heat up and walk with or that doesn't need to be heated at all. Yes, I am the one walking down the street eating out of a mason jar because that's the time I have for lunch. But it's working and I'm eating and feeling so much better.
Regroup. I can't do everything and respond to every situation at the drop of a hat. Now when I need to clear my mind I'll take the long way to the copier or I'll exit the building at one door, walk around the building and enter through another door instead of walking down the hallway. When it's really bad and something's happened where I'm about to lose my cool, I'll take a brief break from work and go for a short walk. Lean on my husband to listen to me vent, take a deep breath and regroup. Regrouping, or re-examining a situation and starting to formulate a plan that will lead to a resolution is an empowering practice.
Acceptance. I cannot do everything. I can only do what I can do. I can only work my hardest to be sure what I do is my very best. I won't always make the right decision or have the perfect day. But I'll be doing my best and learning from the things that don't go right. I'll regroup and move on. This is especially helpful when I'm at home and catch myself thinking about work. In these moments I think to myself "yes, that's an important issue. I'm at home now so I'll put it to the side until I'm at work again." It's important not to beat yourself up when faced with a mistake or a slip-up. They happen. Regroup and move on being empowered in the knowledge that you can handle it and you will handle it one step at a time.
Find Support. Turn to your coworkers for help when you need it on the job. Communicate with your supervisor. Reach out to your friends and your family when you need to bend an ear. Be there for them in return. Reach out to your family and friends when you don't need an ear... your relationship will grow stronger. Look for others dealing with a similar problem. Find them online or in person and connect.
Take Care Of Yourself. This is the biggest lesson. It's not just about eating the right food, educating yourself on your diagnosis, making lifestyle changes. Taking care of yourself means doing something you love every day. Something that's just for you. It's loving yourself without needing validation or love from others. It's being your own biggest supporter. You are important and perfect and magnanimously wonderful. Own it!
How do you manage your stress?
So how do you deal with this? How many of us can quit our stressful jobs right now for a less stressful one? How many of us can walk away from a stressful moment and not continue thinking about it? If you can, that is wonderful and I commend you!
I daydream of how much more I would enjoy every day if I didn't spend 8+ hours running from one urgent situation to another trying to find a resolution that will please everyone.
I actually dream of work-related problems or chasing after unknown objects or running away from things in my dreamworld. I wake up some mornings from these dreams and roll out of bed knowing that I need to keep working on dealing with the many ways that my life is full of stress.
Here's what's working for me now:
Work Stays At Work. By the time I get out of the car when I get home, any venting or complaining or thinking about work has to stop. I'll call someone and debrief on my way home. I'll talk things through to myself (yes I'm one of those people that loves bluetooth because now you can't figure out if I'm talking to myself alone in the car or talking to someone!) or spend time just reflecting on a situation. But that's where it ends.
Eat! I have demanding work days and in the past I would skip all meals because I didn't have time to stop for a regular lunch. Which was horrible for my body and my mind. I keep my lunch bag on my desk and pack snacks I can eat in 1-2 minutes throughout the day and a lunch meal that I can easily heat up and walk with or that doesn't need to be heated at all. Yes, I am the one walking down the street eating out of a mason jar because that's the time I have for lunch. But it's working and I'm eating and feeling so much better.
Regroup. I can't do everything and respond to every situation at the drop of a hat. Now when I need to clear my mind I'll take the long way to the copier or I'll exit the building at one door, walk around the building and enter through another door instead of walking down the hallway. When it's really bad and something's happened where I'm about to lose my cool, I'll take a brief break from work and go for a short walk. Lean on my husband to listen to me vent, take a deep breath and regroup. Regrouping, or re-examining a situation and starting to formulate a plan that will lead to a resolution is an empowering practice.
Acceptance. I cannot do everything. I can only do what I can do. I can only work my hardest to be sure what I do is my very best. I won't always make the right decision or have the perfect day. But I'll be doing my best and learning from the things that don't go right. I'll regroup and move on. This is especially helpful when I'm at home and catch myself thinking about work. In these moments I think to myself "yes, that's an important issue. I'm at home now so I'll put it to the side until I'm at work again." It's important not to beat yourself up when faced with a mistake or a slip-up. They happen. Regroup and move on being empowered in the knowledge that you can handle it and you will handle it one step at a time.
Find Support. Turn to your coworkers for help when you need it on the job. Communicate with your supervisor. Reach out to your friends and your family when you need to bend an ear. Be there for them in return. Reach out to your family and friends when you don't need an ear... your relationship will grow stronger. Look for others dealing with a similar problem. Find them online or in person and connect.
Take Care Of Yourself. This is the biggest lesson. It's not just about eating the right food, educating yourself on your diagnosis, making lifestyle changes. Taking care of yourself means doing something you love every day. Something that's just for you. It's loving yourself without needing validation or love from others. It's being your own biggest supporter. You are important and perfect and magnanimously wonderful. Own it!
How do you manage your stress?
Monday, June 18, 2012
Grocery Shopping
So, I may be starting to love food again. And starting to love myself a little more. Losing weight consistently now and I'm feeling so much better in my own skin. Sleeping well at night, waking up with more energy - I'm able get so much more done during the day which is amazing.
This week marks a new triumph. We have officially started planning our dinner menus.
I pulled up possible recipes on the laptop. We sat down together and picked some new ones and some favorites that I can still eat with modifications. I compiled the grocery list and hit the road to spend the next t-w-o hours at the store exhausting myself with this stupid list.
I got home, unloaded the car. Cleaned the sink and filled it with vinegar and water to soak all the veggies and fruit I just bought. I cleaned and packaged all of them as they prefer to be stored. I unpackaged, trimmed and repackaged the chicken. Same with the hamburger. Into the freezer they went.
Another hour+ later and the kitchen was put to rights, the fridge full of good food. The freezer actually had contents that did not include frozen DiGiorno Pizza. And then I sat on the couch for a well-deserved TV show or two. No, I'm kidding, I actually had to get dinner started so we'd be able to go to sleep before midnight, but the steaks were pretty well worth it. So was the sleep.
Our freezer has frozen, prepared jasmine and brown rice (check her out: http://summertomato.com/simple-gourmet-rice-for-dummies/). Some frozen fruits and veggies. Frozen meats. Larry & Luna's ice cream. And some DiGiorno Pizzas because my spouse isn't ready to make the complete health-food plunge. But the picky eater of the year (she said lovingly) is trying all the foods I'm making for dinner so I am not complaining.
This week marks a new triumph. We have officially started planning our dinner menus.
I pulled up possible recipes on the laptop. We sat down together and picked some new ones and some favorites that I can still eat with modifications. I compiled the grocery list and hit the road to spend the next t-w-o hours at the store exhausting myself with this stupid list.
I got home, unloaded the car. Cleaned the sink and filled it with vinegar and water to soak all the veggies and fruit I just bought. I cleaned and packaged all of them as they prefer to be stored. I unpackaged, trimmed and repackaged the chicken. Same with the hamburger. Into the freezer they went.
Another hour+ later and the kitchen was put to rights, the fridge full of good food. The freezer actually had contents that did not include frozen DiGiorno Pizza. And then I sat on the couch for a well-deserved TV show or two. No, I'm kidding, I actually had to get dinner started so we'd be able to go to sleep before midnight, but the steaks were pretty well worth it. So was the sleep.
Our freezer has frozen, prepared jasmine and brown rice (check her out: http://summertomato.com/simple-gourmet-rice-for-dummies/). Some frozen fruits and veggies. Frozen meats. Larry & Luna's ice cream. And some DiGiorno Pizzas because my spouse isn't ready to make the complete health-food plunge. But the picky eater of the year (she said lovingly) is trying all the foods I'm making for dinner so I am not complaining.
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