Stress and health

[Gazelle]

I'm wondering if any of you have a similar experience to me.

I am very concerned with overall health and put a lot of time and effort (obviously) into diet and fitness. Whenever I take a health assessment test I always score very "healthy" in the nutrition, exercise and environmental areas.

Mental health, though, is not so good. I get a bad score there. It's not that I don't put effort (and money) into that as well. I see a therapist every week and have done so for years. The problem is: stress. I overload myself, and my other goals (dietary, fitness-wise and professional) often come into conflict with things that are good for my mental health: mainly, sleep and relaxation.

I am suffering from insomnia now, get up at 5am every day to train, go to my new corporate job which I am determined to succeed at, come home and work on my website all night every night of the week. In between I have to shop for and prep meals, take care of my dog, go to graduate school classes and do homework, clean the apartment and do other household chores. I am never at rest. I don't have time for my BF or my friends anymore. I feel chained to my desk, can't sleep at night, and the littlest thing will set off a violent outburst in me.

I told myself and everyone around me that I was up for this challenge. That it would make me "happy". But I don't think this is happiness, and my concern about overall health is really making me question my lifestyle. This isn't healthy.

Do others feel they have an imbalance like this? Like some of the things that are making you "healthy" in someways are making you "unhealthy" in other ways? I am beginning to question my quest to have the perfect diet and perfect workouts if it causes me chronic insomnia and such high levels of stress, because I think the negative effects cancel out the positive.

I know I'm taking on too much professionally as well, which only adds to the stress. How to find balance?

[strongchick]

You're singing my song...

What does your T say? Do you bring this up with him/her?

I think a lot of it comes down to priorities. Take a look at what you're doing and what your goals are. Which are the most important RIGHT NOW? Keep in mind that you have the rest of your life to work on various goals...everything doesn't have to be done at this moment.

I like to think of each of us as having seven houses.

Emotional
Mental
Physical
Financial
Vocational
Relationships
Spiritual

How is your life in each one? What are your goals in each one? Your priorities? What would you like to change? How would you place them in order of importance right now?

For example, my 'house' that needs work is the emotional/mental ones. I'm also out of balance. I feel stressed and overwhelmed. It is impacting my relationships and job. So I am concentrating on how to resolve those issues...taking time out for myself, de-cluttering the other houses (deciding NOT to take an extra class for work, decreasing my workouts, etc) to make room for these, making time for myself a priority, etc.

For you, you have a lot on your plate. Obviously something needs to give, the question is what. Keep in mind it does not have to be forever, just for awhile. Of all the things you are doing, what is the most important right now? What can you take a break on for a few months without creating severe problems for the future?

Another thing to consider: the 10 10 10 rule.

In deciding what to do/not do, think about how the decision will impact you:
in 10 minutes
in 10 months
in 10 years

I find this sort of thinking very helpful in realizing what exactly my priorities are and what is most important. Long term vs short term.

Just my thoughts....

[Gazelle]

WOW, thank you Sarah. What you wrote is so thoughtful and helpful. Thanks for taking the time to write it. This gives me a lot of food for thought.

I'm going to think about my 7 "houses" and examine my priorities in terms of the 10 -10 - 10 rule today and see where I end up.

Thanks again!
g

[kszal]

Hi G and Sarah! Sarah, that is super helpful.

G - I'm also trying to do this. PM me if you want to bounce ideas off each other. :)

[Gazelle]

Hi G and Sarah! Sarah, that is super helpful.

G - I'm also trying to do this. PM me if you want to bounce ideas off each other. :)

Thanks Katie. I will.

I'm glad at least I don't have a kitchen remodelling project on my plate right now. :)

[fit_girlFL]

Strongchick - nice post! That's going to give me something to think about. Thanks for that!

[Brandi]

Sarah is exactly right.

I like being busy and I like jamming my schedule, but sometimes learning how to say 'No' can be your friend. Like at work. Yes, it is nice to be able to take on a lot and you're thinking you are getting ahead. But overload yourself and you don't get everything done on time and you look bad.

The goals you have, and the energy it takes to reach them, need to be getting you ahead, not setting you further back.

[3sweeties]

Sarah , great post.

I've had to learn to say no to outside activities that aren't a necessity. I also have learned it is okay not to do everything perfectly and to give myself a break. Hence, my house is messy because I'm undwinding from the day right now.