Extreme Self-Care
On the heels of my post about having nightmares, I've decided to follow some good advice a wise friend once gave me and practice "extreme self-care." When you're under a ton of stress and going through difficult times, it's a really good thing to do.
For me, it entails making sure I exercise, go to bed at a decent hour, drink plenty of water and breathe. Breathing is very important, did you know that? One of my bad tendencies when I'm stressed is to hold my breath. I don't even realize I'm doing it most of the time. But taking a moment here and there to breathe deeply, diaphragmatically, is key to relaxing in the moment.
So breathe with me, won't you, and enjoy these tunes as you practice your own form of extreme self-care.
Beat Radio--"Hard Times for Dreamers" mp3 off Safe Inside the Sound (buy)
Sia--"Breathe Me (Ulrich Schnauss Remix)" mp3 (buy)
There's actually a book out there called The Art of Extreme Self-Care by Cheryl Richardson and it's possible that's where I got this from, although it would be very indirectly, as I've never read the book. I'm thinking my friend who gave me the advice did, though.
I've been trying to take better care of myself since menopause, and I feel
better than ever. Still not enough sleep, though. I think I'll start
turning in around 10, except on Thursdays and Saturdays when there's
something to watch on TV. The breathing, though, is very important. You're
on to something. When you're stressed, try the yoga deep breathing. You
don't need the "ooooooooom," but the counting to four both in and out is
really helpful.
I'm sorry you're so stressed but very glad you're taking care of yourself
x. Looking forward to listening the tunes later tonight, thank you.
nat--the breathing thing is kind of a running joke where i work, because we
all remind each other to do it whenever we see someone is stressed. :) i
love that sia song, too. hadn't listened to it in a long time.
Ya know, Nat brought up menopause, and that can really do some strange
things to you like that. I was pre-menopausal for about a decade, and
weird dreams and insomnia were a couple of familiar symptoms. A short
course of hormone cream helped get me through the worst of it, although I
still have bouts of sleeplessness every now and then. Don't rule menopause
out as a cause.
linda--i'm certainly conscious of the whole pre/peri-menopause thing and
i'm sure it has something to do with it. i'm really hoping my sleep doesn't
get too disturbed as time marches on, because i really need a lot of it!
re: the sia song, i love anything ulrich schnauss touches, too, so it's a
great remix of a killer song.
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