I’ll never forget the morning I woke up and couldn’t move from the neck down. When I tried it was so painful, I had to call my brother in law to come to my home and help me get the kids off to school and go to the ER. I had been stressing out quite a bit and I was having muscle spasms that I just shrugged off instead of stopping to exhale, exploring what it could be and trying to eliminate it. When I got to the ER they did a few tests and gave me a muscle relaxer along with some Tylenol with codeine and I went into woozy land! I was diagnosed with severe muscle spasms to my neck & shoulders and Torticollis = Stiff neck caused by spasmodic contraction of the muscles of the neck; wryneck. That experience was one of the most painful experiences outside of labor that I’ve had to endure. It took weeks for me to get back to normal and I ended up going to my chiropractor on a weekly basis for acupuncture, heat treatments, electronic healing wave, adjustments and massages. My muscle spasms were stress induced. Today I had to stop and take a look at me because I’m getting muscle spasms frequently again and don’t want to repeat history. I actually hate (I know it’s a strong word) hospitals! I’ve had a phobia for years. My youngest son was born in a birthing center just for that reason.
The first thing I realized is I need to take a look at what’s triggering my stress, and what I can do to lessen or eliminate it. I have a very hectic schedule due to work, family life and my blogging, networking and social media commitments. I do need to streamline how I do these events and eliminate what isn’t absolutely necessary. I am a HUGE procrastinator, which spills over into my disorganization at times. I REALLY need the “Just Do It†mentality and stop the “I’ll get to it†attitude… and as far as my disorganization goes… That’s always a work in progress for me! I must say that I am really taking control of my punctuality; I used to be late for EVERYTHING and always juggling tasks. I’d always tell people I was punctually challenged! Ha! I’m now on time (most of the time) and I still juggle things, I guess I need to take a look at that next. I also need to take my diet into consideration as well as trying to remember to take my daily multi vitamin. I’m always looking for ways to simplify my life with cooking, time management, my sleeping habits etc. If you have any ideas shoot them my way. I don’t ever really relax until I get home in the evenings and that can be hard with four children sometimes, because as soon as I get through the door they want or need me for something. I have been thinking about starting my yoga classes again, I’m sure that can help with relaxing and stretching my body.
Well for now, I’ll stop and exhale! I’m going to make an appointment to see my chiropractor or massage therapist and try to take it easy. The last thing I need to do is to wake up and not be able to move! If you have any homeopathic remedies to relax muscles, I’m open to them. Does stress take a physical toll on you? How do you deal with your stress?