Can You Moms Help Me Out???

I don't know about any over the counter stuff for stress, but cutting out caffeine can help a lot. Coffee, some teas (some herbal teas are fine - chamomile is very relaxing), cola, chocolate, and some things like Excedrin Migraine have caffeine in them. When I cut way back on it, and started walking a little bit each day, I slept so much better and better sleep made me feel much less stressed.

I have an awesome nutritional supplement to recommend. It is a patented combination of St. Johns wort, griffonia seed, folate and B12.

Try the natrual herbs Valerian and Pashion Flower. Eclectic Institute makes a combination form of the two and it has helped me through many stressful times.

There is a wonderful product called "Natural Calm" that is a magnesium supplement. The majority of Americans are very deficient in magnesium. I take this at bedtime (they also make one for kids ;) There are other natural products including amino acids that help calm the nervous system. One of my favorites is GABA, which I also take at bedtime. Also, green tea is great because while it has some caffeine, it also has an amino acid "theanine" that also has a calming effect, so it counteracts the caffeine, which you really should avoid.

You also need to try to schedule downtime for yourself at least once a week - taking a bath in epsom salts (which is another good source of magnesium), along with a couple drops of an essential oil like lavender (which is also calming) works great.

You don't say how old your kids are or whether you are a SAHM. If you have younger kids and are at home with them all day, then you really should make sure to schedule some relax time for yourself when they nap - read a book and have some herb tea (chamomile is good for stress reduction).

Also, taking a high quality multivitamin and extra B vitamins and vitamin C can help tremendously. B vitamins are important for the nervous system as well as production of hormones like cortisol. Vitamin C is very supportive for the adrenal gland. And, of course, eating a healthy diet and avoiding sugar can help keep your blood sugar steady - for me it's the swings in blood sugar that can really trigger moodiness. Eating some high quality protein for meals and snacking on something like nuts or seeds can help a lot to maintain a steady blood sugar level.

Also, you should find an exercise that you enjoy - I cycle regularly and that is my big de-stressor - this can be done even if you have young children by putting them in a Burley - my youngest was riding in it when he was 5 weeks old (in his infant seat of course) and other kids should ride with a helmet (just as mom should). If I don't cycle for two days, it is much more difficult to deal with all the stress that is inherent in a mother's daily life and boy do I get moody. Research has shown that mothers are under more stress than soldiers on the front line on the battlefield. The Russians have used an herb called Rhodiola to help the soldiers. I have had fantastic results with that - it is an adrenal adaptogen, so it helps to keep your cortisol within normal levels versus the typical stress reaction that raises your cortisol and then the after effect is a big drop in cortisol, thus the inability to deal well with stress. Also, if you are low thyroid, there is an increased burden on your Adrenal gland and it is not at all uncommon for folks to end up with "Adrenal fatigue" which results in the inability to deal with much stress at all. So, getting all your hormones tested can be very helpful. You can do this on your own with a saliva test that you can order here:
www.canaryclub.org (this will give you a discount to the test offered by ZRT laboratories: www.zrtlab.com)

That canaryclub website also has some self-assessment questionnaires that can help figure out potential problems. An excellent book that I highly recommend if you want to understand more about all of this is: Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled. It discusses how abnormal levels of the various hormones can result in these symptoms.

Try taking time out EVERYDAY!! You would be surprised what a 15 minute timeout for yourself can do!! Grab a cup of decafe coffee or tea and sit outside on the porch for 15 minutes. If possible, do this twice a day.
At night, a nice long bath with lavendar bath salts. I also have this massage pad that straps to a chair. 15 minutes of a "make due" back massage is awesome. Also try getting a good book. Bring that outside. Do yo have a swing? Sit on your porch swing with your eyes closed and soak up the sun for a few minutes. Also, you can try deep breathing or 10 minutes running on the tread mill.

I know these aren't exactly the ideas you were looking for, but it might help. I was recently in the hospital for 4 days with what they originally thought was heart issues. Turned out to be anxiety from too much stress. So, I know how stress can overtake your life.

Goodluck.

Hang in there mama! Here are some things that have helped me get through some of the rough times.
1. Yoga has been an incredible release for me. It is my time to relax and start over. I feel like I get a restart every time I go and I look forward to it. Check out www.corepoweryoga.com They have a work for trade program where you can clean the studio once a week for a couple hours in exchange for free, unlimited yoga.
2. I am also a big proponent of chiropractic adjustments. I believe the mind, body and spirit are all connected and see an association with my general mood and regular chiropractic adjustments. Vitamins and probiotics also keep the body up to par.
3. An alternative treatment for depression and anxiety is an herbal supplement called Luminex. It may help with stress too! Do some research and look into it further. It contains natural ingredients including St Johns Wart, griffonia seed, folate, and vitamin B12 that help with depression and anxiety. My husband and I both started taking it a couple months ago and we noticed a difference within a couple of days.

i'd be leery of anything medicinal over the counter, for fear of becoming addicted to whatever it is... talk to your doctor about what you can do to calm down when you need it. it might be exercise, time alone, time with friends, a drink of tea.

i do agree with B about cutting back on caffeine. that used to make me really edgy and i'm a lot less irritable now that i limit myself to 1 cup in the morning. then if i need a caffeine boost later i only drink green tea.

walk! if you are at work, and you are feeling stressed take a quick brisk walk, I don't work with smokers anymore but I always noticed that they took regular breaks, and I never did, so I decided that when I saw them all going for their cigaret break I began taking a brisk walk! Did me LOADS of good, and was healthier for it, way better than smoking, that's for sure. you might even get a friend to join you, if you want.

another good stress reliever is to take time to laugh!!!

I suggest Bach Flowers drops. I would research each type on the internet and what emotions they address, then go to any health food store and buy the one that fits you best.

They really helped me in a time when I was very stressed.

K. Voigtsberger

Hi. In addition to the below ideas, what about other ways to help relieve stress and be good to yourself:
1. A nice walk each day. (exercise increases the body's natural endorphins which help you naturally feel good :))
2. Time for yourself each day -- quiet cup of coffee, call to a friend.
3. massage or pedicure once in a while.
4. shopping with a friend
5. a nap...
6. reading a magazine???
7. Chocolate -- Bittersweet kind, which studies show also increase good mood body chemicals.

GL

GL

I second the Magnesium. Also, make sure that you are getting enough rest at night. I have had insomnia for years and can tell you that it makes a huge difference in my day if I had enough sleep the night before.

Have you ever tried meditation? Not the kind where you sit in a crazy position and mutter '0h-mmmm' - but just sitting very still in a quiet environment with your eyes closed for 5-10min (or longer if you have time) and just doing nothing . . . don't think about anything, let your thoughts pass by without causing any emotion or stress. I agree with the posts about giving yourself some me time - which includes letting your mind 're-boot.' Get yourself on a schedule and set aside time to excercise and de-stress. And don't be afraid to ask for help - from friends or family - I don't know what you are going through or what the cause of your stress is but we can't be expected to do everything - don't overextend yourself. I am weary of medications and my opinion (for whatever it is worth) is that you may need to either learn to say no or learn to delegate some of your responsibilities. It sounds like you're taking on way too much. Good luck to you and God bless you!

i dont know of anything otc but will ask a friend of mine..but i can recommend a long walk and some deep breathing it helps me out a lot!!

Great suggestions. I can only add:

That Kava Kava served me well.

Learning how to use breathing to calm: Count slowly to 4 to inhale, slowly to 4 to exhale, slowly to 4 to pause before inhaling again.. A counselor taught me that.

Exercise causes good endorphins but so does, dare I say it, good love making. If done well, it can brighten up your evening and next morning.

Listen to what your mind is saying to yourself. Try to cut out the negativity. Practice being more positive in what you say to yourself. Be kind and full of grace in those words and it will flow through your body.

Try relaxing, destressing tapes that guide you through imagery that is calming.

Also from the counselor: Think of a relaxing thought or image. Close your eyes a moment and think of that picture. Tie a word to that thought that you could say to yourself. Then tie a small physical act to it (like the fingers encircled when people say "Ooommmmmmmmm." You make up any word you want that connects to that image. After awhile, you might be able to skip the first two things and only touch your fingers.

Cuddle with your guy watching tv or for a few minutes before you go to sleep.

If it is PMS time, consider medication to get you through that time if Kava Kava doesn't work well enough.

Hot herbal tea and a journal. I know this sounds funny, but taking the ten minutes a day to write down some of your feelings gives you an unbiased outlet, and gives you the opportunity to unload whats on your mind without getting someone else angry or getting into an argument.
Take a set time everyday where you can write down your feelings or whatever is stressing you out, and then sit and sip some tea while you free your mind. RELAX, ENJOY LIFE

-Mimulus from Bach flower remedies. I was skeptical at first, but it really works! www.vitacost.com has a great price.
-Red raspberry leaf tea (not just raspberry tea). I use the loose leaf and add a bag of my favorite tea. I use a french press to brew it. That way I don't drink any stray tea leaves!
- Exercise is so important in stress management.

Good luck! Being stressed is, well.......stressful! I wish you the best!

After reading some of the responses, please be sure to check with you doctor if you are taking any medication. Natural supplements like St. John's Wart can interfere with your regular meds should be on any!!!!!
After saying that, I think we can all identify with being stressed out and in a bad mood......diet and exercise are key!!!! So is taking time out for yourself and having you time....I know that is FAR easier said than done, but if momma's not happy, no one will be! Make your you time a priority!!
Good luck, wishing you less stressful days and a better mood! :)

If you can massage your feet you want to massage on the side of each foot where the arch is. Just rub with your thumb or 2 fingers all along the arch, on the side of your foot. That should feel good and help relieve stress. It also helps while you're doing that to take 1 or 2 deep breaths to help you relax. Do each foot and relax.

I agree with the nmagnesium, Omega-3s, B vitamins and exercise.

There was a post similar to yours (some time ago) and one responder recommended St. John's Wort or Sam-E. I actually tried both after reading the post and responses. St. John's Wort, does and did work for me. If you try it, don't take the full recommended dose (2 tabs 3 x a day - of course that does vary based on brand, etc) to begin with per the folks at the natural foods store. I started with 2 tabs a day and worked my way up and don't take it toward the evening....it makes me not able to go to sleep.

I found focusing on the positive things in life helps tremendously. Being a mother is extremely stressful when you take the responsibility seriously, as I believe you do, so we must learn to teach ourselves to focus on being stress free, and positive as much as we can. When you feel the stress on your back, recognize it for what it is, and take control of the stress. Don't allow the stress to instantly send you overboard, because it will. You must maintain control as much as you can in order to have peace of mind for yourself. If you need to take a few minutes to breathe, and release do that, it actually helps, and Cathy H. is right, exercise is great as well. Counting to 10, 20, hell sometimes all the way up to 100 has helped me, and prevented me from going postal on my family:) so try it, and see if this works for you.

Try Hyland's Teething Tablets... yes they are the tablets you use for your kids, but they help me relax at night when I can't sleep. They are all natural.

Hi J.C, I used to get so stressed that I started to have migraines, did not want to be on medication due to all the side effects. I found a natural food supplements that helps your body to heal and repair it self. You will be surprised how well you feel. I will be happy to share about this life changing nutritional supplements if you would like.

Have a Blessed day!

A.

I read a headline in the paper yesterday (I did not read the full article) that washing your hands can have a calming effect. People that wash their hands more throughout the day are calmer and less stressed out. I know that a shower always helps me! And I know that exercise also helps. Also smiling and pretending that you are happy actually results in more real happiness. Also try relaxing, or upbeat music, but not music with a repetitive stressfull beat. Good luck!

What does your exercise regimin look like? For me going for a walk or run or dancing vigorously helps release tension and get me in a better mood. So the next time you are feeling the beginning stages of stress try doing some jumping jacks, running in place, push ups or sit ups or even lifting a gallon milk or water jug for about 10-15 reps per arm.

You can also try some deep breathing. Inhale deeply, fully expanding your chest, hold for a second or two then slowly exhale. Try this for at least 5-15 times. This helps clear the mind too. While you are deep breathing you are only concentrating on breathing and nothing else.

I hope this helps. Please let me know.

Schedule time for yourself each day. Even if it's a 15 min bubble bath while everyone's asleep. Make sure you're going to bed and getting rest, don't stay up trying to get things done. A tired Momma is a cranky Momma. If you're a Christian make sure your making specific time, (even if it's 5 minutes) for God He'll direct your day if you ask him and give you peace in tough times.

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Sure - head to the freezer isle and get a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Froyo. So good!

Not sure how old you are, JC, but if you are pre-menopausal, you might want to talk to your doctor for some ideas. Good luck!

Take 180 mg of Omega 3's for every 10 lbs of body weight to reduce anxiety type symptoms (example if I weigh 140 I figured: 14 x 180 which made me take about 2500 mg a day---I did the liquid Nordic Naturals). I also took L-Theanine which is a natural amino acid that is designed to work within 15 minutes when stressed or 'wound up'. It truly helped me. I took the 200 mg when needed. If you need to unwind to sleep; just take two of them. Non-addictive. I have done both to help me!!!!

I take between 100-200 mg of B-6 and exercise. Hope this helps.

I exercise and take vitamins. This helps me and could help anyone one because you're taking care of your physical and mental health. Vitamins are a big deal to me, but not all are the same. I've taken so many kinds and my perfect fit are my vitality vitamins. These vitamins are absorbed 85% as opposed to the 10% of other vitamins and it makes such a difference! I've taken so many and the worst ones were GMC's Women's Total or something like that. I had to force myself with those! Gag! Anyway, find a good workout routine for yourself. Whether it's yoga, or doing a couple of squats, jumping jack, push-ups, or so on in the morning. A little goes a long way if you do them right! Eat healthy too! Bad foods bring up the stress hormone in your body, try your best to avoid them! Try adding in some fruits and veggies more, even if you have to make them a little bad (say.. chocolate covered strawberries!) And remember, if you keep thinking stress, you'll bring about stress. Change your thoughts into positive ones! Hope this helped!

Rescue Remedy - Natural grocers or whole foods

My girlfriend recommended st. johns wort? it is available at health food stores or at the pharmacy