Relieving stress/knotted stomach/ constantly achy.

[anonymous-user]

Hi all,

Anyone got any tips to try and relieve the above probably going on for quite a while now prob more constant for the last month or so since we had some 'bad' news, which i've had an inkling of for quite a while.

Having some problems sleeping but not excessively bad, waking up a few times in night but then it's all go, go, go sorting kids out/racing to work & back, trying to sort out some serious issues with O/H's health and welfare etc, etc trying to organise things all the time just seem totally on edge, worried,stressed out and unable to relax/unwind.

Any tips ? Trying some short walks etc, but just don't have lots of time/cash to blow, need something more longtermish as things possibly deteriorate a bit. Are these kalms or herbal stress relief things any good ?


Ta in advance

[Ilikebeaver]

I think kalms can help, even if it is just the placebo effect.

Also tried Bach flower rescue remedy as a child for anxiety and stress and that seemed to work too

[aizvara]

It might sound weird, but think about your posture. I had stress related problems, with similar symptoms (aches, stomach problems, sleep issues, palpitations) a while back, and one thing which helped (apart from generally doing more exercise, and just figuring it all out) was stretching out my back by improving my posture. I also got a doorway bar to do pull-ups, which helped a fair bit with this.

[goldblum]

As above,exercise is the thing.If you can then try and start running it can be very therapeutic.

[oldbanger]

Speaking as someone who gets muscle pains and poor sleep when stressed:

a) Meditation helps a lot ( as long as you keep at it ) - you may find inexpensive or even free evening classes or beginners sessions locally. I went to NKT Buddhist meditation classes at a local church hall and to be honest they really didn't push the religious aspect very much at all.

b) "Tension/trauma releasing exercises" also help - basically a set of postural/stretching exercises designed to induce muscle tremors and release tension. I was put onto this when I went to see someone about chronic neck and back pain and the book describing how to do them and why they work was, to me, £6 very well spent.

c) Sports or therapeutic massage will help if only in the short term.

Edited to add: based on what helps me - cut right back on alcohol and caffeine if you can, same with sugary foods, make sure you get enough sunlight and fresh air, drink camomile tea (valerian tea at bedtime if you can't sleep)

Edited by oldbanger on Monday 13th June 00:50

[Firefoot]

St Johns Wort is quite good as a natural rememdy for stress/anxiety, but be aware there are certain other products that you can't take whilst taking it (anti-depressants for example.

Swimming is an excellent stress reliever. It gives you that time to yourself, gives off great endorphines and is cheap.