stress
You’re still dragging, even though technically you slept. Your stomach won’t settle, although you ate. Your chest feels tight, though you can breathe just fine. Your mind is foggy, except for the flood of memories—little flashes of hospital rooms, unanswered calls, holidays that don’t look the same. You’re not exactly sad—but something’s definitely wrong. You’re not “being dramatic.” This is grief in the body.
When we think about making changes for a healthier lifestyle, most of us probably consider diet and exercise. That was my focus for most of my adult life. I was all about burning calories and increasing muscle strength. Total transparency? My only concern was maintaining my weight—or losing weight. I grew up with an unhealthy body image (as many women do), and I had tunnel vision.
If you are a survivor of trauma or abuse, you may feel overwhelmed by your experiences. You may also be unsure of how to effectively cope with the intense anxiety, depression, or anger that intrudes into your heart and mind. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can learn to manage your emotions and develop healthy coping skills. These self-care strategies can help you feel more in control of your life. As you learn to process some of your intense emotions, you can begin to build your self-confidence and move beyond the trauma.
The caregiving journey is unique for everyone, but one thing that spans across all caregivers is the need for respite, time away, and knowing that they have someone who can provide care in their absence.
If you are anything like me or know someone like me, you didn’t know what a mood disorder was until you were diagnosis. This diagnosis can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. A quick Google search will tell you that 1 in 5 people struggle with their mental health. However, people who don’t struggle with these issues may not notice anything is wrong with someone else, as a mood disorder doesn’t always display physical symptoms.