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Having just survived a few days of incredible stress (to the point where I truly was afraid I would have a giant anxiety attack and fall apart completely and be unable to pull it together), I realized I have learned some things that, while they don't actually eliminate the stress, really helped me get through it in a reasonably healthy Atkins way.
I would think these tidbits apply to: starting a new job, relationship crises, losing a job, starting school, accidents, family illness, and, for those of us who have anxiety disorders, LIFE!
Thought I would share them.
1. As soon as you know that the stressful situation is going to happen, notify this forum. This helps you acknowledge what is going on and rallies everyone around you.
2. Post several times a day as the event is occurring. Be open and honest about how you are feeling. Read people's responses.
3. Eat Atkins-legal comfort food. During this time, you may be unable to eat what you usually do. It is just hard to swallow and digest and FUNCTION. I discovered that various egg dishes were pretty much the only thing I could eat. That, and cheese slices. I couldn't eat any meat. Regular salads were nauseating to me. I didn't sweat it. I got only 2 cups of veggies in, but lots of fat and protein, and I didn't gain a pound. I actually lost 1/2.
4. Eat small amounts and eat often. When we are under stress, our blood sugar can drop considerably especially if we aren't eating regularly. I couldn't eat a whole meal. I ate every 2 hours from morning until bedtime. The two occasions where I went over 3 hours without food, I became increasingly anxious and unable to use my coping skills. As soon as I ate, I felt better.
5. If you can get SOME sort of exercise, do so. I did not go to the gym, though I should have. I did take walks. Moving my body even for 5 minutes at a time helped me release some of the stress and cleared my mind.
6. Take your supplements. DUH!
7. Take one hour at a time, if you can't take one day at a time. I really couldn't look forward very far, because until yesterday, I thought my mom was going to be staying until Monday night. That was just too far in time. So, I took one little chunk of time at a time, concentrating on staying as sane as possible.
I know that I am not the only one going through a rough patch. Brook and others have been sharing all along, and I got a lot of tips and inspiration from them. Please feel free to add to this list - we all need the common sense reminders of what keeps us going when the going, not the woe, gets tough!
I would think these tidbits apply to: starting a new job, relationship crises, losing a job, starting school, accidents, family illness, and, for those of us who have anxiety disorders, LIFE!
Thought I would share them.
1. As soon as you know that the stressful situation is going to happen, notify this forum. This helps you acknowledge what is going on and rallies everyone around you.
2. Post several times a day as the event is occurring. Be open and honest about how you are feeling. Read people's responses.
3. Eat Atkins-legal comfort food. During this time, you may be unable to eat what you usually do. It is just hard to swallow and digest and FUNCTION. I discovered that various egg dishes were pretty much the only thing I could eat. That, and cheese slices. I couldn't eat any meat. Regular salads were nauseating to me. I didn't sweat it. I got only 2 cups of veggies in, but lots of fat and protein, and I didn't gain a pound. I actually lost 1/2.
4. Eat small amounts and eat often. When we are under stress, our blood sugar can drop considerably especially if we aren't eating regularly. I couldn't eat a whole meal. I ate every 2 hours from morning until bedtime. The two occasions where I went over 3 hours without food, I became increasingly anxious and unable to use my coping skills. As soon as I ate, I felt better.
5. If you can get SOME sort of exercise, do so. I did not go to the gym, though I should have. I did take walks. Moving my body even for 5 minutes at a time helped me release some of the stress and cleared my mind.
6. Take your supplements. DUH!
7. Take one hour at a time, if you can't take one day at a time. I really couldn't look forward very far, because until yesterday, I thought my mom was going to be staying until Monday night. That was just too far in time. So, I took one little chunk of time at a time, concentrating on staying as sane as possible.
I know that I am not the only one going through a rough patch. Brook and others have been sharing all along, and I got a lot of tips and inspiration from them. Please feel free to add to this list - we all need the common sense reminders of what keeps us going when the going, not the woe, gets tough!
Any Questions?
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