Stress & Anxiety, Hosted by Brenda

Walking has been a real stress-buster for me. I have been really faithful in this exercise and when I don't walk I really feel it.

Just popping in to say hi to all of you, especially Brenda.

Hi Bloom!

Pauline

This first site is Discovery.com which has a lot of good information, especialy for medications and some diseases/heath related subjects:

Look in the upper left-hand corner and enter the name of the medicaiton. You can also check out other interesting subjects by looking over the left-hand column,

Also look up MedLine the site for "Pub Med" or public health. I wish you and your wife well.

that anxiety is fueled not so much by what is happening to us, like the crisis we may find ourselves in or the job, or the kids, or our neighbor, or the divorce or death in the family, etc., but rather it is WHAT WE ARE TELLING OURSELVES INSIDE OUR HEADS that makes a difference in the stress level.

It can rain and you could interview a whole bunch of people and you would find that some didn't even realize it was raining while others may be complaining or being upset.

It is a person's viewpoint, or interpretation of an event that determins the stress level. It is the belief they carry about that event or thing. It is whether or not they feel they have some control in the matter. It is whether or not they believe they can find a solution. And on and on.

No matter what the stress level is though, there ARE ways to get it down temporarily. In the long run, however, nipping it in the bud and working on beliefs and mind sets and attitudes will go a long way in terms of prevention or lessening stress levels.

Your mind. Use it to help yourself, not hurt.

Brenda

My wife is taking a hormone medication called Ortho-Prefest. She does not like computers and especially online stuff. She asked me to see if there are any women who have taken this during their menopause and have side effects, or other experiences they would attibute to this. She has been on it for three months, which is a change from her previous prescription. During her third month on this Otho-Prefest she went really down in the dumps, anxiety, depresstion, you name it. The Doc put her on Paxil now to counter this. It got worse before it got better. She is considering going off the Ortho-Prefest if this continues to happen. This last week has been a lot better but she is still feeling the anxiety come and go. Please respond if you have any knowledge or know of some who does.
Thanks.

My daughter is planning a great Christmas this year. We are all sleeping at their place and lots of activities are planned. They are doing Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.

Hey what good news this is. I can't remember the last time I did not cook for the Holidays. WOW what a treat.

Each person chooses a fun thing for all to do. I am leading the singing. Got a songbook ready and my voice and trusty guitar will do their thing.

Sound great??? yup

Hi everyone..good to be here.

Sabre

You know you're experiencing stress when...

You can achieve a "runners high" by sitting up.

The sun is too loud.

You are missing several days from this week.

Trees begin to chase you.

You can see individual air molecules vibrating.

You wonder if brewing is *really* a necessary step for the consumption of coffee.

You say the same sentence over and over again, not realizing that you've said it before.

You can hear mimes.

Things become "very clear." Everything is "very clear, indeed."

You ask the drive‑thru attendant if you can get your order to go.

Your heart beats in 7/8 time.

You and reality file for divorce.

You say the same sentence over and over again, not realizing that you've said it before.

It appears that people are speaking to you in binary code.

You can travel without moving.

Antacid tablets become your sole source of nutrition.

You discover the aesthetic beauty of office supplies.

You begin to talk to yourself, then disagree about the subject, get into a nasty tiff over it, lose, and refuse to speak to yourself for a week.

In keeping with upbeat nostalgia, remebering what is to come and can come from experience, preconceived history if you will I should like to say that I think this page was targeted for special treatment because it is enjoying some noteriety at the moment.

Congratulations on having this Discussion cited in the Weekly newsletter as well as Sabre's and your's Personal Portraits.

A well deserved notice. xoxoxoxoxo *oiseau

In keeping with upbeat nostalgia, remembering what is to come and can come from experience,

preconceived history if you will, I should like to say that I think this page was targeted for special treatment because it is enjoying some noteriety at the moment.

Congratulations on having this Discussion cited in the Weekly newsletter as well as Sabre's and your's Personal Portraits.

A well deserved notice. xoxoxoxoxo *oiseau

Or is this the season for Turkeys? I am not sure saying, "Thank you, Turkey." quite gets it though. LOL

There was an x-rated stress buster suggestion here earlier.

Going to add to my personal list of stress busters, angels dressed as delete bunnies. One flick of the switch, and it wiped out a whole bunch of my stress.

Also (and this hasn't directed related to holiday stress) I find that projects that go on and on and on but finally begin to come to a close, give me a since of stress relief. I also gain a since of feeling empowered rather than a victim when I am able to finally take hold of something and bring it to a conclusion.

The feeling of empowerment isn't a "heady" thing in which one becomes a snob or braggart but rather builds self-esteem and good self-concept. You can't know how good that feels unless you have experienced victimhood to the max.

Happy Turkey Day!

Brenda

Because my family and I aren't getting together until the Saturday after Thanksgiving, my hubby and I figure we will eat out on Thanksgiving. Can get a great meal without having to try to do the turkey thing for just two people.

This will be the first time trying this. Will let you know how it turns out.

Anyway, I could create a lot of stress on myself by being unwilling to accept that my family and I won't be eating together on the big turkey day. I could also chose to be upset over not having a home-cooked meal or a celebration that resembles all past ones. I could probably stress myself out over trying to cook one of those meals for just the two of us. Or get upset over any number of things like remembering that a lot of my loved ones are no longer living and that some died close to this holiday.

And being upset/stressed could certainly be my choice but why do that?

Think I will just opt for enjoying a different kind of celebration and making it easy on myself at the same time.

Works for me. ;)

Brenda

What kind of anxiety and stress do you encounter during November and December and how do you cope with it?

Inquiring minds want to know. LOL

Brenda

I don't think there are any easy or quick answers for you but you have to start somewhere.

I am female and was put on the same medication back in July of '99. I was having a bit of elevated blood pressure and was having palpitations as well. I had been going through a whole lot of major changes in a period of three years and it was taking its toll. I have not been taking it for a while.

I think I can safely say that exercise particularly walking has been a help. If you can have a partner or person to walk and to talk with about things - problems, concerns, feelings, possible solutions, etc. - it can do wonders for you.

Mind plays an important part in your body's responses. Once we have passed 50, we start re-evaluating our lives and know that we are in the last chapters. Some of us are struggling with the tremendous changes that start occurring including how we now view life. Until one comes to grips with it, it can also, I think add to the stress level.

Ask your doctor about other alternatives and suggest that you would like to get off the medication at some point. If he/she isn't very supportive of that, you might want to find one who might be more in favor of you working towards that goal.

Anything that reduces stress from meditation to walking to taking time to relax with a good book or funny movie to taking a class in Tai Chi to getting a hobby, to whatever, can be of help.

I use relaxation music tapes too. There are many kinds out now with nature sounds, for Reiki and healing, and so forth. You will be surprised what that can do for you as well.

If you have a problem or concern that's bothering you, that needs to be worked on because if it is contributing to your blood pressure problem, all the meds in the world and stress reduction will just be temporary helps.

There are herbs and alternative means to help to but use caution particularly if you are on doctor prescribed medication.

Keep searching and good luck with it. Let us know how you are doing.

Brenda

I am being treated for hypertension benign with atenolol which is a direct cause of erectile dysfunction. What can I do to counteract the affect of this needed medication? This is causeing me much stress and have been prescribed other medications to eliminate or calm my stress which may also be a part in the cause of my problem.

I am being treated for hypertension benign ( high blood Pressure) with atelonol which has a direct effect on erectile disfunction. What can I do to lowere blood pressure withou useing this medication which is causeing me much stress:

That can drive me nuts, too! LOL

Even my lovely gentleman friend, very southern, with a very southern accent. He tends to talk slowly and turn the simplest sentence into a story! I know have been guilty of finishing his sentences for him...a very rude thing to do. shame on me!

I sometimes see the same joke 45 times it seems and I don't like the "you must pass this on within such and such time or bad stuff will happen" forwards.

Tempts me to stress out big time. LOL

I love to talk and most of my posts are lengthy but....I still meet people who can outdo me any day of the week.

For example: My daughter's friend's father has a carpet and window treatment business. I think he does excellent work and is a wonderful person BUT.... he goes on and on and on about something and I am ready to move on to the next question or possibility. I have to keep him on track and though I do a good job, he still takes 2 hours to do what could have been done in 30 min. LOL

I feel the tension mount. So I either avoid people like this or have to take better control of the conversation so I avoid the stress of thinking we could have been finished and I could have moved onto something else that I had to do. Whew! I feel stressed just talking about it. :)

I loved it and wish people would heed the advice!

I made a mistake - STRESS - STRESS - LOL I thought I was posting in the Advice column, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

So sorry, you probably thought; "Has the poor thing lost it? What's that doing here?", but you are tooooooo polite to say anything! LOL

Joke of the Day

Stuff To Remember When Emailing: - Rated G

1. Big companies don't do business via chain letters. Bill Gates is not giving you $1000, and Disney is not giving you a free vacation. There is no baby food company issuing class-action checks.

Proctor and Gamble is not part of a satanic cult or scheme, and its logo is not satanic.

MTV will not give you backstage passes if you forward something to the most people.

The Gap is not giving away free clothes. You can relax; there is no need to pass it on "just in case it's true."

2. There is no kidney theft ring in New Orleans. No one is waking up in a bathtub full of ice, even if a friend of a friend swears it happened to their cousin. If you are hell-bent on believing the kidney-theft ring stories, see: And I quote: "The National Kidney Foundation has repeatedly issued requests for actual victims of organ thieves to come forward and tell their stories." None have.

That's "none" as ! in "zero." Not even your friend's cousin.

3. Neiman Marcus doesn't really sell a $200 cookie recipe. And even if they do, we all have it. And even if you don't, you can get a copy at:
http://www.bl.net/forwards/cookie.html Then, if you make the recipe,decide the cookies are that awesome, feel free to pass the recipe on.

4. If the latest NASA rocket disaster(s) DID contain plutonium that went to particulate over the eastern seaboard, do you REALLY think this information would reach the public via an AOL chain letter?

5. There is no "Good Times" virus. In fact, you should never, ever, ever forward any email containing any virus warning unless you first confirm that an actual site of an actual company that actually deals with viruses.

Try:
And even then, don't forward it. We don't care. And you cannot get a virus from a flashing IM or email, you have to download it....ya know, like, a FILE!

6. There is no ga! ng initiation plot to murder any motorist who flashes headlights at another car driving at night without lights.

7. If you're using Outlook, IE, or Netscape to write email, turn off the "HTML encoding." Those of us on Unix shells can't read it, and don't care enough to save the attachment and then view it with a web browser since you're probably forwarding us a copy of the Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe anyway.

8. If you still absolutely MUST forward that 10th-generation message from a friend, at least have the decency to trim the eight miles of headers showing everyone else who's received it over the last 6 months.
(Think Cut and Paste) It sure wouldn't hurt to get rid of all the ">>>" that begin each line either. Besides, if it has gone around that many times we've probably already seen it.

9. Craig Shergold (or Sherwood, or Sherman, etc) in England is not dying of cancer or anything else at this time and would like everyone to stop sending him their! business cards. He apparently is no longer a "little boy" either.

10. The "Make a Wish" foundation is a real organization doing fine work, but they have had to establish a special toll free hot line in response to the large number of Internet hoaxes using their good name and reputation. It is distracting them from the important work they do. Also, the American Cancer Society does not give 3 cents for each person you forward e-mail to. They ask for you to donate money money, they don't give it, as if they could know how many e-mails you sent out...sheesh.

11. If you are one of those insufferable idiots who forwards anything that "promises" something bad will happen if you "don't,"-- then something bad will happen to you if I ever meet you in a dark alley.

12. Women really are suffering in Afghanistan, but forwarding an e-mail won't help their cause in the least. If you want to help, contact your local legislative representative, or get in touch with A! mnesty International or the Red Cross.

13. As a general rule, e-mail "signatures" are easily faked and mean nothing to anyone with any power to do anything about whatever the competition is complaining about.

14. KFC really does use real Chickens with feathers and beaks and feet. No, they really do. Why did they change their name? In this health conscious world, what was KFC's name? Kentucky FRIED Chicken. FRIED is not healthy. So with the help of a focus group, they changed the name to KFC. It's short, doesn't offend dieters and it's easy to remember.

15. Another thing, just because someone said in a message, four generations back, that "we checked it out and it's legit," does not actually make it true.

PS: There is no bill pending before Congress that will allow long distance companies to charge you for using the Internet.

Bottom Line... composing e-mail or posting something on the Net is as easy as writing on the walls of a public ! restroom. Don't automatically believe it until it's proven false...ASSUME it's false, unless there is proof that it's true.

Now forward this to everyone you know with "MillionJokes.com rules!" in the title or the program I just put on your hard drive while you read this E-mail will open up your CD-ROM and reach out and slap you about the head!

I had read that before but seeing it in this discussion just make me ROFLOL

Thank you

and what happens (maybe) in the process. Not funny - yet it is.

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
RE: Christmas Party
DATE: December 1

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place
on December 23, starting at noon in the banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit
Barbecue. No-host bar, but plenty of eggnog!

We'll have a small band
playing traditional carols. Feel free to sing along, and don't be
surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 2
RE: Christmas Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees.

We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to
employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time. Happy now?

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous
requesting a non-drinking table, you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to
accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA
Only," you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle
this? Somebody?

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating, drinking and sex
during daylight hours. There goes the party!

Seriously, we can
appreciate how a luncheon this time of year does not accommodate our
Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on serving your
meal until the end of the party - the days are so short this time of
year - or else package everything for take-home in little foil swans.
Will that work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters
Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women
will get the table closest to the restrooms. Did I miss anything?

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party

So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice. What do you expect me to do, a
tap-dance on your heads? Fire regulations at Luigi's prohibit the
burning of sage by our "earth-based Goddess-worshiping" employees, but
we'll try accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the band's
breaks. Okay???

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 9
RE: Holiday Party

People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having our CEO dress up
like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be
"Satan," there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a red
suit."

It's a tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family
feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine's Day.
Could we lighten up?

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 10
RE: Holiday Party

Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this
party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can
sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so
quaintly put it, and you'll get your #$%^&*! salad bar, including
hydroponic tomatoes.

But you know, they have feelings, too. Tomatoes
scream when you slice them.
I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right now!

FROM: Teri Bishops, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pat Lewis a speedy recovery
from his stress-related illness and I'll continue to forward your cards
to him at the sanitarium.

In the meantime, management has decided to
cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off
with full pay.

That causes a great deal of stress and anxiety at times. It probably also helps to create the very things we worry about....unless we think if we "worry" enough, it won't happen. ;)

Ron and I were just discussing last night that each of us having lost our spouses couldn't understand why it happened to us. We couldn't understand how anything good could possibly come out of that horror. But, we could never have guessed we would have found each other and the life we now share. So a great and beautiful gift has come out of that tragedy.

I guess my point is, if on the one hand I could have foreseen the loss of my first husband, my first love, life would have been horrible just knowing it was coming. So, I am glad I couldn't see that far.

Believing I could be happy again, kept me going. I believed it and now I am adjusting nicely to a new life. Not saying every widow or widower should or needs to get married again but rather just believe - somehow - that the plan as it unfolds could certainly have a happy future single or otherwise.

I think a lot of my anxiety has come from having to make choices sometimes and not knowing what consequences will follow those choices. We are socialized from birth to think in terms of "punishment" for "wrong" decisions. That adds to the anxiety. So we often would like to know what will happen in the future so we can better make the "right" choices.

What if life unfolds exactly as it should with or without our being anxious? Might pay to drop some of that anxiety then wouldn't it?

Brenda

Thought For Today:

"God made the world round so we would never be able to see too far down the road."

- Isak Dinesen (1885-1962).

Perhaps pictures, sights, can have a calming effect on us. Hey, use whatever you can, right?

Bren........I'm going to cope with this new test by taking a walk and then asking the Lord for the answer.

'Someone' needs help badly and I feel the pain of their suffering.

Too much empathy is tiring and I'm in need of protection, it can only come from one source.

Love IS the answer and I'm grateful for the support. thank you......irene/oiseau

I would like to join in on the hugs....

Love isn't love until you give it away. ;)

(((((((all of you but particularly to Irene today)))))))

Brenda

Loving hugs have the power to calm anxieties I think.

How about a (very gentle, Oiseau) (((group))) (((hug))) (((everyone)))!

xox

Hi Nettie, it would be lovely to walk into the shallow water, look out to sea and scream like a banchee, releasing all the 'bad' air locked within, then;

Place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Breathe normally for a few moments, noting the movement of each hand as you inhale.

Which hand rises more dramatically?

If it's the one on your belly, take it off and pat yourself on the back. You have an excellent respiratory technique!

But if it's the hand on your chest, you'd better take a deep breath--if you can, because breathing from the chest is not the best way to breathe! Or so say leaders of a better-breathing movement that has formed in recent years.

Books bearing titles like 'Conscious Breathing,' 'The Breathing Book,' and 'Breathe Better, Feel Better' are available on all self-help shelves. They claim that learning to breathe correctly can help control anxiety. Advocates of belly breathing go further and insist that many conditions such as asthma, migraines, heart disease, and depression are all the result of poor respiratory technique.

- Cheryl G., MS, Licensed Professional Counselor

I thought we could all use this reminder BUT I do subscribe to the 'yelling' technique before the healing breaths can do their work.

Stifling like well brought up ladies and controlling anger is not good for digestion, nor is working up a sweat over something we can't control.

This morning I may be a bit more rational and accepting because I have no choice. Every fibre of my being aches, breathing is so difficult, tears form easily but not from self pity, just because it hurts and I'm tired and I FEEL empathy for so many people in need, who suffer much more than I.

I would dearly love to be hugged but shrink mentally from the idea because it would hurt to be squeezed, see the silly paradox?

There a fine rain falling and I know from experience that when the baromatric pressure is low I'm a basket case so I will try to fill this basket with love and thoughts of nice things, when it gets too heavy I'll put it in a safe place to rest!

This setback is really little compared to ????? right? I DO care deeply for you, Sabre, Brenda and Nettie. You have fed me beautifully for so long and spolied me with yourselves as gifts.

Thank you. 'really' a little bird today!
xoxoxoxoxox *oiseau

Behold the turtle. He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.
- James Bryant Conant