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Help: Dealing with stress
I need advice!
How do you deal with stress especially when you are at work? Sometime awful happened last night related to my son. I am so angry, frustrated, stressed I don't know what to do with myself. When it happened I started crying and then breaking out in hives. My whole body is tense and my jaw hurts from clenching it. My back and shoulders hurt. I feel like I am about to break down any minute. I almost went into my boss's office and told her what happened but I knew I would start bawling. I want to go home but b/c I don't have the best attendance lately due to my own dr appts and those for my son. I tried rubbing my shoulders, closing my eyes and taking some deep breaths but it's not helping. What helps you when you are like this? Maybe I should just cry? I have my own office so I can shut the door...
Re: Help: Dealing with stress
I'm sorry you're feeling so stressed....
I would suggest the closed eyes and deep breaths, but apparently that's not working. Maybe try for 10 deep breaths in a row?
One thing a therapist suggested to me was to focus on things around you and mentally say what they are to help ground you... like "the wall is grey" "There is a pencil on the desk" "My papers are in a pile" I've found that helpful at times when I'm feeling my emotions are becoming overwhelming.
If all else fails, I say close the door and have a good cry.
Hope you feel better soon.
I usually call my mom and she either let's me vent or talks me down. I try to break things down into little issues and think of how I can deal with them at once instead of thinking of the big picture.
Then I book a massage for later in the week and have a drink when I get home. ((hugs))
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I agree with this! Book something for yourself either tonight or later in the week to treat yourself and distract you. Im the same way and have difficulty working when Im upset. I usually write a "to do" list on days Im feeling that way (which isnt often anymore). Maybe take a long lunch break too. That never hurts
I am so sorry you are feeling this way right now.
I wonder if something triggers anxiety in you. If so, you may want to check into anxiety meds to help cope through stress.
For the time being, try to remember that while at work, there is nothing you can do about the issue that happened at home so worrying about it will only make you waste time dwelling. Try to focus on what you can do at work. I know, this is much harder to do than say.
First I think it's important to determine if this stress is appropriate for the situation. I'm not sure exactly what happened with your son, but it's important to identify if it is the sole cause of the stress or if it's "the straw that broke the camel's back."
I find that taking a step back and creating an action plan makes me feel so much better. Write it down and then take steps to widdle that list down. Even if there is nothing you can specifically about the situation you could write down actions you are going to take to help your son feel better.
Also do the same thing at work to help take your mind off of it. Make a to-do list and start by tackling the simplest things. It will help you feel like you're making headway somewhere.
First, I hope everything works out with your son.
I have to second the word document. I would keep one open on my desk, and everytime I couldn't take the moment I was in, I would write the start time, and start writing. Typing anything that came to mind. Once the feeling passed, I would minimize the document, and start the process again the next time the feeling hit.
It would get to the point that instead of 10 mintues between entries, I would get to 20, then to an hour. It was a great feeling of success. I still do it on occasion. It kept me from sobbing at work. If the writing got to emotional for me, I would switch to writing out song lyrics, like from Mary Poppins, or other really dorky but happy songs. Or making a list of why my hair needs to be cut. Something silly.
It really helps to fight off the feeling of helplessness.
I didn't get a chance to respond earlier, but I'm glad you are feeling better. Hope things get better soon!