Monday, December 15, 2008

nail biting

pinko 2
I think I may actually be beginning to feel stressed. (And don't think I can't hear you giggling in the background about how you've never noticed me being un-stressed since the day you started reading my blog).

I had a dream where I was the one who was pregnant and I realized that there had been some kind of huge mistake, but I couldn't figure out how to fix it. I had a dream where I bought a crib, only to find that it didn't fit in the nursery door. I had a dream where I was having an impossible time finishing some very important projects at work (okay, so that one wasn't a dream).

Any suggestions for things I might try to become less, you know, on edge? (note: one thing that absolutely *doesn't* work for me is eating. When I'm keyed up or nervous or jittery, or, for that matter, depressed, all food, even food that I usually like, tastes funny and I have a lot of trouble forcing myself to eat anything at all.)

edited to add: And, thanks to the many excellent suggestions, I've scheduled a massage and, last night, went, as that country drinking song goes, one round with José Cuervo. Can you say TKO?

31 comments:

Katie said...

How do you feel about the alcohol thing?

Either that or getting some exercise, going for walks somewhere beautiful!

k@lakly said...

Drinks, lots of em. Oh and hibernation, that usually helps. Pull up the covers and disappear for a bit.
Hang in there, this won't last forever...but the baby thing, the mom thing, that will:)

Antigone said...

Measure the width of the door. Measure the width of your belly.
Metrics. Numbers are reassuringly honest.

Grad3 said...

When I am stressed I love to bake. Specifically, cookies.

It reminds me of when I was young and walking through door after school on a cold winters day and smelling the cookies my mom was baking.

The point? Do something that you enjoyed from your childhood or something that brings back a happy childhood memory.

Also-- a big fan of listening to music and signing. Good luck- I hope you find something that works!

Aunt Becky said...

I have the same issue with food when I'm upset! Thanks for making me feel like less a freak.

I'd suggest what I do when I'm stressing: something manual that uses my muscles. I'm talking a deep clean of the house, working out like a maniac, going for a long run, something like that. Or, my less busy stress reliever: going on a long drive.

niobe said...

Katie, K@laky: Alcohol -- in moderate doses -- is definitely helpful.

Still, I kinda doubt the people I work for would be especially pleased to see me wandering around the halls (or slumping over my keyboard), all, uh, lit up with the holiday spirit.

diana said...

Ho, ho, hoooo...Niobe is celebratiiing...
No, I don't think so, maybe one glass in the evening...
For me it works to work with my hands, cleaning, decluttering, baking, gardening, etc.
That crib fits everywhere, you know!

Julia said...

The crib one isn't a dream either-- some doors do not let an assembled one through. So, you know, assemble where intended.

See, if this wasn't so terribly close to when you will (knock on many things) have no time, I would say take a pottery class-- apparently hard to think of other things while you are minding your creation. Or so I am told. This one is on my bucket list still.

Or, you know, drink. :)

Aurelia said...

Well, I always do like Antigone, measure things, weigh things, count things.

Budgets are good. I do many many of those. I check and recheck my bank balances, and I project future dollars.

Also, list of things to do, like say, before the baby comes, and after the baby comes.

Even if you don't do it. Like, say---plan how you will clean out a certain room, and where that stuff will go, and plan what you might need to buy, if and when you need it.

The Nanny said...

Oh, just off the top of my head, coffee (or tea) with your favorite college-age blogger is always helpful... ;-)

Magpie said...

Maybe some athletic-ish activity that requires to you pay attention to what you're doing (and therefore does not allow you to think). And then some wine. And, a massage.

Tash said...

Ok, I'm an odd duck, but when really freaked out I like instant gratification. So: cleaning, cooking/baking (even if you don't eat them), shopping, putting something together (see above -- put crib together *already in room*), etc.

Having a shot of bourbon while doing any of this certainly doesn't hurt.

RBandRC said...

A glass of wine and a good book have always worked for me. Or if I was stressed over stuff I had to do I would make a list and just start knocking things off bit by bit. I found that even if I didn't get to everything, just accomplishing a few things made me feel so much better! :)

Furrow said...

This calls for some good old fashioned nesting. Have you cleaned the blades of the ceiling fan yet? How about behind the fridge? Taking a toothbrush to the baseboards is incredibly therapeutic.

thordora said...

pfft. you got me. I get agitated, I talk. And talk. ALOT. To everyone. It's a joy to behold.

Try crochet. Of all else fails you can poke people with the hook. :P

Anonymous said...

My three vices: alcohol, massage, and high-quality chocolate.

Exercise is probably a better stress relief, but where is the fun in that?

BasilBean said...

I have the same issue with eating.*

Here are some things that work for me:
>I start (almost) every day with about 20 minutes (sometimes more) in meditation.*
>Keeping busy with something physical. A creative project or even housekeeping, exercise, organizing a closet...things like that.*
>Making lists and calendars. I do this obsessively. About pretty much anything you can imagine.
>I guess this falls under the first one, but painting calms me down, I can focus on it and shut everything else out.
>Focusing on other people. Fortunately my work gives me the sense that I am helping others.
>Spending time with or talking on the phone with friends.
>Reading a really good book.*
>Going to the spa for a facial (or whatever you like).
*Due to the pregnancy and/or the restrictions involved, many of these things are thrown all off kilter for me...which adds to my stress:(

CLC said...

Meditation tapes? Sounds quirky, but helps me relax sometimes.

Sanda said...

Thought of food also makes me ill when I'm stressed. I am a big supporter of cleaning and organizing - that helps me de-stress. Drinking is good, but I always end up with a headache and that's no fun!

Antropóloga said...

Reading, exercising, masturbating, watching movies, playing with animals.

niobe said...

CLC: I'm curious -- what kind of tapes? where did you find them?

massage sounds wonderful -- and I've been thinking that maybe I should try acupuncture.

And I'm surprised (though I suppose I shouldn't be) that others like Aunt Becky and Basilbean have the same issue with food.

Anonymous said...

I knit...alot. If you don't know how even better. Learning to knit can take an entire weekend. It's cheap, rhythmic and a complete stress buster.

Kami said...

Exercise, crochet and baths. They are life savers to me.

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm religious, so.

I pray. So much of it (i.e. procreation, living baby, healthy baby etc etc) is completely out of my control. So I meditate and I pray. And I focus on letting it go. Thy will, Lord, not mine. That sort of thing. Works for me.

And there's always knitting. Somebody needs a scarf, right?

Lori said...

Making lists.... I love to make lists. It doesn't even matter what is on them. In fact, I often like to put things on my lists that I have already accomplished just so I can cross them off. Immensely satisfying.

Dare I say, there may just be no cure right now for your nerves? They are quite justified.

Wordgirl said...

Exercise.

Skiing.


Immersion in a good book.


Those are the only things that turn my mind off -- something that I love and can get lost in -- I hope you find something Niobe -- but as Lori says this may be one of those times where nerves are part of the package -- and perhaps deep breathing?


I'm a huge fan of flat out denial.

XO

Pam

Cara said...

Ahhhhh - I'm with CLC - meditation is my drug of choice this year, and it does also allow that hibernation effect.

B said...

Swimming (preferably in the ocean or a waterfall) but indoor pools are still good.Shiatsu. Overnight hikes.

JW Moxie said...

I only WISH I had that problem with food. I tend to want to eat everything in sight when I'm emotionally charged.

I watch a lot of favorite, old movies as a distraction. When I'm feeling edgy, I've gotten to be pretty good at not thinking about whatever it is I'm obsessing over. Of course, that is, until the deadline comes so close that I can't do anything EXCEPT obsess and stress.

Maggie said...

My coping skills certainly leave something to be desired...my favorite? Dirty Martini therapy. Questionable yes, but highly effective.

I also enjoy goofy television -- viewing the train wreck of someone else's life can sometimes make me feel better about my own.

Have you asked about scheduling an induction date? I would think that given your circumstances that once you are past 39 weeks, that at least having a back up date in mind might help, since it at least gives you an end date in sight. If I were you, I would ask Kyrie how she feels about it, and maybe ask about a Term induction at your next OB appt. Because my third method of coping? Planning like crazy. Not helpful, but it does at least keep you busy with something...

missing_one said...

I am currently reading Gary Spivy's Secrets from God book (don't laugh please) and doing his meditations and visualizations. They were helping until I stopped doing them because I got so busy. Need to do them again...