Over the last few days, weeks, maybe even months (not sure, I've lost track of time), I've been working through all my to-do's and following the schedules given to me by my children's schools, my job and my own schooling. As one would imagine, something had to give eventually. Remember me? I was the one feeling excited because the kids were going back to school and we were going back to a "routine." Oh wow, routine it is. Unfotunately, the kids' school schedule is not flexible, therefore, many things have to be planned around them, not me. Anyway, somewhere along the way I skipped a chore, postponed an appointment and procrastinated on a project which means I personally threw the schedule off balance, leaving me with more to do in a shorter period of time. Great! Just what I needed. However, I think if I stay up all night for several nights I will be able to get back those lost hours and hopefully get all the projects done yesterday. Have I learned my lesson about procrastination -- YES! If you're gonna do it, do it right!
But seriously, I started to feel the pressure of what I HAVE to do last night when I was up at two A.M. working on a simple 250 word essay about Hammurabi's Code. Then I spent the next few hours dreaming about how it really didn't take much for someone to get severly punished back then. Well, at least he had the laws written in stone,pun totally intended. An hour later the alarm went off and it hit me... this was my last chance at sleeping until bed time tonight. CAFFEINE, where are you my friend!!
Now, here's what happens when I'm stressed AND tired:
1. I eat more carbsthan usual because I want fast energy. Who cares what happens an hour later, I can always eat more carbs.
2. I crave salty and sweet foodsbecause sometimes I can justify how I feel and treat my symptoms withfoodcrap!
3. My workouts are not efficientand I do repeat to everyone within ears shot "I didn't sleep well last night," as if they cared.
4.I don't sleep wellbecause for some reason I need to go over my to-do list in my head.
5.I'm cranky(not be confused with hormonal).
Unfortunately, this causes a cycle of bad choices and bad attitudes and more stress because even though I have a to-do list dictating what I HAVE to do as opposed to the general chores that should get done before company comes, I stress about each and everyone one of those items on my list I should have done two weeks ago. Meanwhile, nothing gets done and I get overwhelmed. What the hey! I got up this morning with a plan to get over this issue because the last thing I need is to add bad carbs and inefficient exercise to my routine. (oh yes and lack of sleep zzzzzzz).
1. I will do the bare minimum choresbecause no one is coming to visit--but if someone shows up, just put them to work.
2. I will break down my projects(school essays, redecorating, organizing closets, etc) so that I do a little everyday, therefore completing the project over several days or weeks instead of several hours.
3. Take a nap... I will take a nap today... I must!
4. I will continue to exercise--that's a habit not worth breaking.
5. I will make a concious effort to feed my bodynot my cravings
Check out this article about Stress onMedicineNet written by Peter J. Panzarino Jr., MD, FAPA where he states that "Stress is related to both external and internal factors. External factors include the physical environment, including yourjob, your relationships with others, yourhome, and all the situations, challenges, difficulties, and expectations you're confronted with on a daily basis. Internal factors determine your body's ability to respond to, and deal with, the external stress-inducing factors. Internal factors which influence your ability to handle stress include yournutritional status, overall health andfitness levels, emotional well-being, and the amount ofsleep and rest you get."
I like the first step solution; according to this article "Exercise on a regular basis helps to turn down the production of stress hormones and neurochemicals. Thus, exercise can help avoid the damage to our health that prolonged stress can cause. "
Well then, go to the gym, get a really good workout, eat a healthy lunch, drink plenty of water and get some well-needed rest. Most of us know this but it doesn't hurt to hear it, read it and do it again! As a last resort or maybe I'll put this higher on the list, Get a professional MASSAGE!
foodcrap!