TIPS TO HELP WITH STRESS

[FringeTVPP]

Hi everyone. I suffer from a lot of stress, any suggestions on how to improve this.

Thank you.

[Sunnysummerdays]

Hi,I suffer from alot of stress also! I find that since H.A,and stent procedure 10 weeks ago that my stress levels and anxiety are so high. I do mediation,walking and reading,but I'm so easily triggered and stress and anxiety seem to flare up at any time. I have telephoned my G.P on two occasions to ask him for something to calm me down ,I've never taken meds for anxiety before and this is all new to me,he asked me did I want to see a counsellor,I don't think that would help,as it's more like in the moment panic. For example when I'm at home my b.p and h.r.is normal but as soon as the nurse puts on the BP monitor I begin to shake an panic ,resulting in very high readings. Upping my meds is not the answer,because in the evenings my B.P.goes down and I don't want to go any lower. So any advise on coping with the panic,stress and anxiety im feeling would be greatly appreciated .

[Sunnie2day in reply to Sunnysummerdays]

You might want to reconsider turning down counselling - ask for 'Cognitive Behavioural Therapy' (much of it is 'self-guided' once the initial interviews are done and a treatment plan instituted). It is a highly successful therapy model for relieving all types of anxiety including yours (situational, for example when the nurse puts the BP cuff on).

I was referred several years ago and it truly was life-changing.

[Pollypuss in reply to Sunnysummerdays]

So sorry how you feel . I had a triple bypass and quite honestly I could manufacture a panic attack in seconds. I became so breathless I thought I was going to die. Am now 6 months on and looking back I realise that reading a lot of the contributions to this website it seems these feelings are quite normal. We have been through a lot and should be kind to ourselves. I think anyone you can talk to about your feelings are a great help as cardio rehab was wonderful but not available at the moment

[47Dale in reply to Sunnysummerdays]

Hi Sunny

I too get very anxious and stressed and my GP has prescribed a anxiety tablet which appears to be an anti depressant which I am just not sure about taking

Anyone have views on this??

[lettingoffsteam]

I think you need to find something that allows you to think about something else for a time.That could be a hobby, sport, exercise, or even getting outside for a summer walk.I like the last option myself as looking at the natural world, hearing the bird song and noticing the seasonal changes makes me aware that I am just a small part of a big world i.e. it gives me perspective.I also started meditation classes which help me to relax.These are online at the moment through the site Momoyoga.Whatever you choose park your worries as you do it...if you get a worrying thought, note it and let it pass.Be mindful of what you are doing.I also had CBT arranged by my doctor free on the NHS.You can do this online and this form of therapy is good at helping you with anxiety and learning strategies to deal with it.I hope you feel better soon.

[Pollypuss in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Well done

[gladliz]

You could always try Bach's Rescue Remedy, It's natural flower essences in a grape alcohol base, but there is also a non alcoholic version. I have used it for years to calm what I think of as 'Exam nerves', the butterflies in the stomach etc. First came across it after aborting a driving lesson when I felt I just could not carry on and this wasn't even a first lesson. These days I have some (4 drops) before I drive to the supermarket for the weekly shop but that's the virus effect not the driving. It's available from chemists and health shops and I don't think it reacts with meds; I'm on warfarin, bisoprolol, ramipril and doxazosin, but everyone reacts differently.

[TMeditation]

There is a free App in your App Store available called Insight Timer - it’s an easy to use meditation app. If you’ve never tried meditation you should give it a go. It’s been invaluable to me in coping with my heart issues. There are lots of topics to choose from and you can try it for 5 minutes or longer - give it a go. Otherwise I’d agree with another post you have that occupying yourself with a new hobby or a mental challenge - look on the Open Univeraity website they have lots of exciting stuff on there and some free online courses to give you a taster. Finally go on the Rock Choir website - they are running all their stuff online currently but singing is a great release and very invigorating. Good luck, I hope you find what you’re looking for. Keep us all posted. 🙏

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi you have had some great ideas already

I agree with TMeditation's recommendation of Insight Timer.

I love the diversity of ideas and stratergies it offers. It's also free!

insighttimer.com/

Mark Williams Oxford Prof has his Mindfulness meditations freely available on Spotify

On Netflix you can find free yoga and Tai chi sessions

I follow Adriene yoga sessions on Netflix.

There is no right or wrong way just what works for you.

I hope you feel more at ease soon

[Sunnie2day]

With everything that's been going on, I've had to 'up my game' on stress relief - I use techniques from years ago Cognitive Behavioural Therapy but really, recent current affairs have made those CBT techniques not as successful as usual. But my husband and I brainstormed one afternoon a few weeks ago and have come up with something that so far is working amazingly well for us both:

Unplugging one dedicated day per week (we've chosen Sundays and all Bank Holidays). On the dedicated day of the week we do not turn on the television (not even the DVD player), we don't boot up our computers, and we don't answer the telephone unless Caller ID shows it is a family member. All our friends and family know our unplugged day is sacrosanct so if one of them were to telephone we would know it meant a serious emergency.

On Unplugged Day, we listen to CDs, work jigsaws, do DIY and hobbies - anything as long as it's not television or online. We have a radio programme we used to listen to live - now we have the PVR set to record it and we listen to the recorded programme during lunch the next day.

It has made a tremendous difference for us - much less anxiety (stress)!

[HectorsDad]

After my HA I deliberately decided to start a new hobby- something just for me, that I had been tempted by before, but never tried. I did this straight away, while still in hospital, since I’d struggled with recovering from another illness (knee replacement with ‘extras’) just two years before.

With my focus, planning and dreaming all based on something that had no history or context from pre-HA days, so changes in my life (some forced, some voluntary) are not so noticeable, and it feels like I’m doing something that is about a new me.

What you choose to do depends on you, ( I now make clocks) but it’s a great way to relax into a new or renewed life. Any stresses are balanced because they have no comparison, and I can loose myself in something relaxing and positive, that has no element of ‘can’t do that now’ about it.