I need help managing my stress levels.

Deborah ~  The very best thing I've done for stress is to start walking.  I'd walked/jogged on and off prior to bc, but right after I finished rads and read that regular exercise decreases our risk of reoccurance by something like 35%, I started getting outdoors each morning and walking for at least an hour.  In the beginning, I could only do about 2 miles, which was fine.  But 15 mos. later, I'm up to 4 to 5 or more miles most days.  Not only is it great for stress -- just being outdoors with time to think through problems and prioritize my day -- but I've lost a pants size and really toned up my legs.  My blood pressure has also dropped from the slightly high normal range to extremely low.  It was hard disciplining myself to get out there at first, but after about a month, it became something I look forward to, and by now it's something I need and do not feel as good when I miss, including feeling more stressed.   

Exercise is something positive we can do to hopefully help prevent a recurrence.  Another BCO member who walks once said that every step she takes is a step further away from bc -- a mantra that has stayed with me and keeps me going.       Deanna  

Also, I found a lot of relief from listening to sedating music (Yes, that is what is is called!)

Liquid Mind is an artist that has super relaxing music. You'd be surprised how calming it can be. 

Good luck,

Bonnie

Hi, Deborah.  My medical doctor put me on lexapro right after I was diagnosed.  I believe it has helped me with stress. I also made little changes in my life that reduce my stress. One example is that I do not open any business mail or bills until the two days I've set aside a month to pay bills.  I find it lessens the worry about finances.  As Bonnie mentioned, I find music therapuetic and I make time to do things I love to do, whether it be tv, reading, writing or surfing the net and doing facebook.  When I get really stressed, I find mindless games on pogo.com and facebook destressers. I know these are just things that work for me, but I hope it will help you in some way, or maybe give you an idea for your own hobbies or relaxing time.

Take care,

Deb

Deb.....be kind to yourself. you have had a lot to deal with. I find Yoga and meditation terrific for managing stress but my fav is racketsports. Like Pure and her boxing hitting the ball and the amount of focus that it entails causes my stress to fade away.

Hi Cherneski,  

Thanks for starting this thread!  Stress is really getting to me as well.  I know I need to exercise, but I'm having trouble getting it started.  Like last night, my husband was encouraging me to walk with my neighbor, but I was so tired and achy and on a pity pot after work that I declined.  And that's how it often goes, I know exercise will help in so many ways.  But I am really having trouble with my lack of inertia.  And the stress and aches just seem to go on and on.  

I'll send you good wishes for lower stress and a smooth recon process.  We are on similar schedules, though my recon isn't till August due to work constraints.

Condolences for your loss.  My mother passed away in 2000 (of lung cancer) and I still miss her so much.  

Best,

Sharkey 

Cherneski - I know what you mean about walking with a child - it's fun, but definitely not great for peaceful reflection and not much for exercise - stop to check out the dead frog, stop to pick some flowers, wait for child sitting on curb to rest his legs....   I either jump on the elliptical and go until I'm dripping sweat and ready to drop, or I breathe deep and stretch.  I love the peaceful feeling I got after yoga and am really looking forward going back to that when I take my gym membership off hold next month.  I hope you find something that works for you.  Hope all goes well with the biopsy (ack!) and big congrats on the weight loss and quitting smoking - such a huge accomplishment, especially doing both at once.  You are amazing!

I'm sorry you're going thru this Deb.  You've been thru so much.  The only thing I can suggest that works for me is doing a brisk walk for at least 45 minutes.  Also if I feel really stressed and get that anxious feeling in my chest sometimes the only thing that works is an Ativan.

Barb

Deb, just wanted to wish you good luck with your recon surgery. I had a bilat DIEP in January, and all I can say is I'm very, very happy I did despite the pain and scars. Pain is gone, and the scars will fade.

And good for you on the weight loss. I found after my recon, I could control my weight much better. Don't know why, maybe because I felt better about myself and wasn't eating everything in sight, lol. I've lost six pounds since my surgery but was only able to lose four pounds in the year after I finished treatment.

As far a methods to calm yourself, well, we all have our own ways that work. We can only make suggestions, but you will need to try each one to see if they will work for you. My method changes with the seasons. In warm weather, I like to sit out on my shady deck and listen to the birds chirp around me. When it's too cold to sit outside, I like to listen to music. So it seems that some kinds of auditory sounds soothe me.

Maybe have your hubby give you a massage...but he has to promise that he'll let you rest afterwards, lol.

yeah for normal uterus blood! 

And congrats on your weight loss. To be a cancer patient and lose that much is a huge achievement.  I have to say you inspired me months ago when you talked about losing weight, exercising in small steps. 

Hi Deb, please share what you are doing as far as eating/exercising that you lost 17 pounds even on the tamoxifen. I went up another 5 pounds and need to start getting on track soon, had to buy all new wardrobe practically and at this rate some of them don't fit already.

Thanks Deb, good luck on Monday, hope your nerves are doing ok.

Deb...congrats on the 17#....and we'll be thinking of you on Monday...Hugs