Last Wednesday I began to feel somewhat tired with a sore throat. I hadn’t been sick all winter, and knew that I was due for something. I see a lot of children, all who lately seemed to be dripping, sneezing, or coughing over me and my office. My work schedule had been grueling and there had been multiple special meetings of my regulatory board due to vexing issues. I went home early on Wednesday, tried to pace myself at work on Thursday and Friday, and then got hit with the full effects of a nasty respiratory virus on Saturday. I was home all day from work on Monday. I made it to work on Tuesday, but just barely. Every day I woke up and thought “Well, it should be getting better now”, and it seemed to be worse instead of letting up. I have been doing nothing except playing solitaire and napping since Saturday.
I so very rarely get sick that I view episodes like the one I am dealing with now to be a sign from the universe that I need to take better care of myself. To that end I decided that I am not taking my laptop with me to Los Angeles this week. I usually travel with it just in case I have to do some work for my regulatory board. I figure the world of regulation will do just fine without me for four days. I will not check my work email while I am gone, either. My coworkers will do just fine without me until I get back. It is time to slow down,
What are signs to you that you need to slow down? How do you “do” self care?
Trail Baboon 
I have psoriasis. Not the red rash type, just pimples. When I’m stressed or worried for an extended length of time, like more than a few weeks, I’ll get pimples on my thighs. Just 3 or 4. I can’t always fix the stress, but at least I know I need to deal with it.
I got pimples back in March when I was dealing with two shows. Then it was because I was dealing with a different show and spring planting. The show finally opened and I got a start on planting and the pimples are healing.
I know when I’m tired I drop things more. Butterfingers.
Renee, good for you not taking the laptop!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My eyelids start to flutter or twitch when I’m overtired, but lately I’ve noticed that it happens even when I’ve had enough sleep hours, so I’m starting to think it’s when I’m overstressed. Another sign is that I start being “snappish” (anyone else remember Ally McBeal?) around the house…
Self-care often involves clearing the calendar and just hanging out at home, finding a window where I can watch the squirrels and birds. Or (sigh) getting a massage – our tech college here offers low-cost student massage during the 2nd semester; I got one yesterday and almost fell asleep on the table.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I laugh when I see the my self care “solution” is to leave my lap top at home. Husband swears he will confiscate my phone if he catches me answering emails or texts from anyone but family while we are in LA.
Although it added some stress, being in the college band when I was an undergraduate was good for me because it was different than everything else I did and got me away from pure academics. I find the Trail does the same for me now.
Lately I have been paying extra attention to the antics of our cats. They provide good comic relief. I am going in to work late today, and will only see clients who really are in need of appointments.
LikeLiked by 3 people
For a few years, it seemed like whenever Kelly got cast in a play, one of her parents would end up in the hospital. And while that certainly added stress, being in the play was her “escape”. Because while at rehearsal, she didn’t have to deal with or think about all the other stuff.
We talk about that a lot in the theater world. The stage is an outlet. It’s the escape from everything else.
Of course, anything creative can be an escape.
LikeLiked by 4 people
my stress takes many forms
bad digestion
tight shoulders and neck
rubber band around my temples
brain numbing out
self help is a bath or hot tub
eating the right food
clearing 17 items off my to do list
check the trail
walk the dogs
painting
writing poetry or prose or journaling
ride a bike
plug in the tunes
turn on a favorite movie
catch up on my netflix fixes (almost done with suits … would recommend) frankie and …, mozart in the jungle, stranger things, the incredible miss mazle (fantastic )
cooking
working on my vehicles
riding my motorcycle
listening to podcasts(ted talks, on being, this american life, )
books on audio
get 17 more items knocked of my to do list
i live with tension and try to push past symptoms that deter. denial is a main tool. i am really good at denial.
not taking phone or laptop is not my answer but i do enjoy quiet thinking time in my motorcycle where access to that stuff is harder
smart phone apps just make not having laptop or i pad frustrating not restful…
taking care of myself is a full time job
it’s exhausting
LikeLiked by 4 people
If I moved any slower, I’d be standing still. But, back when I was a participant in the rat race, tension manifested in stiff neck and shoulders, head aches, and insufficient, fit-full sleep. My primary strategy for dealing with stress was, and remains, meditation. My day is out of kilter if I don’t take that time to quiet my mind, be still, and just breathe. I also get an hour-long massage twice a month, and if things get too crazy, an acupuncture and cupping treatment work wonders.
My friend Helen and I share a massage therapist. She keeps one of her massage tables at my house, and comes here and gives us back to back massages every other week. And Helen has this wonderful sauna in her back yard, she fires that up about once a week, and I’m free to sauna whenever I need a break.
LikeLiked by 1 person
PJ, I really think that if everyone on earth was able to have a one hour massage several times a week, we wouldn’t be in the situation the world is in.
LikeLike
I’d love a massage several times a week. Unfortunately, that’s not in the budget.
LikeLike
I know I need to slow down and distress when I don’t sleep well. Especially at this time of year when my work is so hectic, I wake up in the middle of the night and then have trouble falling back asleep with my brain buzzing about a million miles an hour. I burrow a lot at this time of year; I don’t have as many things on my schedule and I try to only do the things that I really like to do. Cooking, reading, playing stupid games on my phone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel your pain, vs, I know that “brain buzzing about a million miles an hour” feeling well. Unlike you, when I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep, I have the luxury of knowing I don’t have to get up at a particular time to go to work, and for that I’m grateful.
LikeLike
I am eager to find topics for posts in LA this week to help you out this month.
LikeLike
My strategy for quieting my mind in the middle of the night is to put on an audiobook. It gives me something to focus on and take my mind off my worries, without turning on a light or moving around too much. Then I fall asleep again quite quickly.
If I lived with someone, I’d have to use headphones or earbuds or something, though.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve noticed music will help me fall asleep. I used to always have music playing at bedtime but got out of the habit once married.
But if my brain is spinning and I set the timer for 15 minutes of music, I’ll be out before the music ends.
Like you said, I think it just gives my mind something to focus on.
LikeLike
LikeLiked by 1 person