Any recommendations on how to manage stress?

[momofcha]

I'm looking for book/exercise recommendations - not anything else. I've been under huge amounts of stress that thankfully, should be lifting, but I am steadily gaining weight - no matter what I do. I'm on thyroid medication and I've tried intense workouts, lighter workouts, strength, cardio/tonique, and nothing is helping. I sleep great, 7-9 hours/night, I eat well - track my food intake, yet still nothing.

Most recently I scaled back my workouts to less intense and more rest days. I also increased my daily walks - and in the past two weeks I have gained 7 pounds. I'm trying on pants that no longer fit and I'm frustrated beyond belief.

Any recommendations on trying to balance my cortisol?

thanks!

[eventmom]

sorry I know it stinks when you gain weight no matter what you try. thank goodness you are sleeping well.

maybe yoga?

[JulieIL]

Sue, I'm so sorry you're going through this much stress. .

Have you tried yoga, if possible at an actual studio ( I realize that's $$, but there are some trial deals out there)?

It sounds like you are doing everything right, so this must be especially frustrating. This might sound off- topic, but have you considered journaling? Just releasing your thoughts onto paper can be so liberating. Burning the journal pages can be a symbolic way of letting go & starting fresh. It sounds corny, but it can be very effective.

Julie

[JackieB]

No advice, just a hug. (((Sue))).

[sherry7899]

Hugs! Did you try the yoga dvds I gave you?

[Kitten]

Sue ((hugs))
As someone who is also going through a stressful time I can relate.
What has been working for me is a a few miles with Leslie every afternoon while listening to a podcast. Leslie is easy to follow, so I can concentrate on the podcast and not have my mind racing/dwelling for 45 minutes to an hour.

Also I find Jari Love really relaxing & have a huge burst of energy afterwards. YMMV on that one.

[momofcha]

Originally Posted by sherry7899

Hugs! Did you try the yoga dvds I gave you?

I have a hard time relaxing with yoga. I am active by nature and I'm "on the go." Yoga in general just bores me. I'm constantly thinking about what else I could be doing.... I tried one, but didn't get very far. thanks though!!!

As for yoga in a studio - I live in a pretty small town, not much choice for that....

[meg39]

In times of my life with great stress, yoga class has been a lifesaver. I think when you go to a class, versus practicing at home, you are forced to be more mindful and release stress because the phone isn't ringing and you can't just turn it off if you aren't particularly "feeling" it.

Also spending time in an adoration chapel, but I know that isn't something that would pertain to everyone.

[bzar]

the only thing that has worked in getting my blood pressure down is meditation. it truly works. i've never needed high blood pressure meds using this approach. note that getting yourself to be less stressed takes time and you have to train yourself to be patient with yourself. it took me roughly a month in the beginning to get my BP down, with daily meditation and yoga, but after that i can now get my stress levels down within 5 min.

if you search my user name here at VF with the search term "meditation" i listed what i used, but basically the following are good starting points:

Meditation for Dummies by Stephen Bodian ( one of the editions has a CD )
CD: 8 Meditations for Optimum Health by Andrew Weil

i downloaded the CD tracks to my MP3 player. my MP3 player is set to "random" shuffling, so when one of the tracks starts playing, i will follow the guided meditation. many of them are 5 min or less. if i am driving and it pops up, i keep my eyes open and focus on the words of the author and listen to the track.

it's a great way to do meditation. i sometimes do meditation DVDs before bed (rodney yee, barbara benagh). i also sometimes do my meditation CDs before bed too.

it sounds like you're doing everything else right! hang in there - i second the rec about yoga too.

tai chi also works for some people.

all 3 - meditation, yoga, tai chi, helps you to slow down. if anything, at a minimum, slow down your breathing - that's something you can do right away at this moment.

and one more thing..... get a blank composition book and write down what you are thankful for each day.

[laurajhawk]

Big hugs. Another vote for yoga - kundalini yoga, including meditation. KY meditations are typically mantra meditations, sometimes including movement, so it's a bit like patting the head & rubbing the tummy ... harder for your mind to wander that way.

ETA, I was posting at the same time as Jeannine - our recommendations for meditation were independent! Definitely worth a try, any kind of meditation.