Dealing with Stress
Of the triggers out there for me, stress is one that seems like it ought to be within my control. That is, I ought to be able to learn to manage my stress better so that it doesn’t get to the point of triggering a migraine through tension. In fact, writing this entry is my way of trying to let go of some of the tension I’m carrying this week.
Last week, I was a major stress case and wound up taking medication Thursday morning, and again Friday morning. I got relief both times, but having stress-induced migraines feels like my life is out of balance, out of whack, out of control. And that doesn’t feel good (literally!).
So how do I learn to manage the tension I’m currently carrying around? How do I give myself permission to be more gentle with myself, to forgive my own shortcomings and learn from mistakes rather than beating myself up and giving myself the ultimate in guilt-trips? How do I let things go that are not in my control? How do I accept that people won’t always be happy with me, but that if I feel like I’m living my life with integrity and up to my own values and standards then there’s no more I can do?
If you’ve read this, thank you. I guess knowing others are listening in some way is actually helpful.
Balance - balance of activities, balance of emotions, balance of time. This is always the struggle. Oh to have a crystal ball and know when something is actually worth the worry and when I could just as easily laugh it off, knowing in the big picture it’s next to meaningless.
May 31st, 2007 at 2:20 am
I don’t think you need a crystal ball to know when something is actually worth the worry. Nothing is worth the worry. Worrying is a pointless activity that accomplishes nothing. Easier said than done, I know, I’m a worrier too. I have also been a migraineur for 19 years. And today I’m recovering from a two day stress-induced migraine quite perplexed as to why I allowed myself to get so stressed out in the first place. I’m a great fan of staying in balance as well, and on the bright side, at least we have red warning lights that go off with our migraines screaming that we’re too stressed, allowing the opportunity for re-evaluation and getting back on the right track. Not the best consolation, I know, but being a glass half-full kind of person is much less stressful than the glass-half-empty type.
Great blog, I’ve stumbled across it today and have bookmarked it for future reads.
June 1st, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Have you tried talking with a therapist? Maybe someone trained in this sort of thing could help you develop ways of dealing with the stress and worry. A stress management class, maybe? It might be worth it, if it helps with the migraines.
What about meditation, have you tried that?
June 1st, 2007 at 2:07 pm
“and on the bright side, at least we have red warning lights that go off with our migraines screaming that we’re too stressed, allowing the opportunity for re-evaluation and getting back on the right track. Not the best consolation, I know, but being a glass half-full kind of person is much less stressful than the glass-half-empty type.”
I agree with this! You put into words the way I try to view these periods.
(And welcome to my blog - thanks for commenting. :))
June 1st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
“Have you tried talking with a therapist? Maybe someone trained in this sort of thing could help you develop ways of dealing with the stress and worry. A stress management class, maybe? It might be worth it, if it helps with the migraines.
What about meditation, have you tried that? ”
hi kashi - thanks for your kind suggestions.
I have been trying to talk things out at home, with DH. Sometimes putting it into words helps me better see what it is that is truly at the root of my worries and anger, and stress.
I think just slowing down throughout the day, taking a series of deep breaths, might actually be a good reminder to myself to slow down and let go…
June 3rd, 2007 at 10:03 am
I also have really bad migraines. I think they started when I was 12. They are menstrual, neck, weather changing, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and some foods. The menstrual migraines are the worst.
Relpax works the best it takes the whole migrain away, if you catch it right away. You will feel tired, not to bad for taking one tablet. I if you have to take two I lie down for an hour and the migrain is gone or better. If you need another Replax the next day this is when it makes me really tired and I have to go to bed for a couple of hours. The migrain is gone when I get up.
I am starting Topamax. I think it might be helping a little at the start of the migraines. They are less intense. I also do not wakeup with I migraine but a sore neck feeling.