I personally believe that Stress and past Trauma have had and still have a tremendous impact on our symptoms. Low Self Esteem and Low Self Worth, not feeling like we measure up, can create pressure on us so that we cannot find the peace that is essential to cope. Many things happen in our lives to create beliefs about ourselves that seem to be written in concrete in our minds. I have experienced this in my own life and only when I began to work on building my own self worth and taking better care of my emotions and health, did I begin to enjoy my very existence and take pleasure in simple everyday things that I was missing out on due to worry or comparisons with others. What do you Ladies think about this crucial aspect on our well being?
Yes definitely, I avoid stress like its the plague, because I know it flares things up, obviously sometimes that is unavoidable but on those occasions I'm optimistic and it helps, that's my very best quality, optimism always look on the bright side of life.🤗
That is the way to look at things. Life has all kinds of challenges but trying to adjust to each without expecting the worst outcome, is definitely the best coping method. More studies are showing the detrimental effects of prolonged stress on the nervous system and the organs. Not to mention the tension in muscles. So I believe that reducing the amount of stress that we can in our lives is crucial.
Definitely I know from experience, if something is beginning to grind on me, I try to get it sorted ASAP, I'm also realistic, there is always loads out there waiting to pull the rug from my feet but I used to allow myself to get worked up about things that might or might not happen, I do mindfulness now and helps me put things into perspective before it gets to that stage. As you learn to live with this illness and you have truly accepted it that's when you find your coping techniques. Acceptance is the key.
So true! Wonderful that you came to that understanding Trish. I spent many years rejecting or denying that I had this condition. I was so hard on myself that I tried to maintain the same level of activity as my friends and my husband. Oh My! How silly of me! Denial is like a disease in itself. Acceptance, acceptance, acceptance! So liberating. To recognise our limitations and accept them, and embrace them! Self love. A hard pill to swallow for us perfectionists and nurturers.
Once I accepted it, the load was lifted off my shoulders was amazing, the only way is up
What made my condition worse though Trish is that when I came to Australia 15 years ago, I contracted a form of Malaria called Ross River Virus. Then I also had Mononucleosis which is called Glandular Fever here. From that you develop Epstein Barr which stay with you the rest of your life. So I cannot afford to allow myself to become over extended. I had to learn to say no and that is very hard for me.
Same as me, I took a stroke last year and still have problems with that, you are a poor soul, you just keep saying why me? Then up you get dust yourself down, for that part pretend we are in the desert, lol x but we do get up. You sound a strong courageous lady.
Not really. Just as you say, we can't just sit down and give up. I have grand kids and daughters and my husband to look out for. I don't spread myself too thin anymore though. I used to be 911 for my friends at one time. I can't anymore. I still help but I have to be balanced. You are a very courageous woman Trish. A stroke is not easy to deal with. Lovely that you have the personality to cope.
Just another thing flung at me, isn't it great how God keeps on giving, wait to I meet him! M hm
Absolutely Magpie, fibro loves stress, it really feeds on it, trying to live stress free is the key to living with fibro, most people who are diagnosed with fibro etc..have had some sort of trauma in their lives, whether its emmotional or physical..it seems to be the case with most of us..for getting fibro..mist of us have been found to have fibro for years to before being diagnosed...mine was 10 years..ive had fibro plus other autoimune issues for over 20 years..diagnosed anyway....be blessed, have a lovely day..😘😙
Lovely to hear from your Christine. You are so right. A body can just take so much stress before it begins to break down. We are always worried about being selfish if we take care of ourselves so we go overboard and only learn to put up boundaries after we have gotten sick. I wish I could teach young women to have a balance in this.
Hi magpie2me I have had a lot of stress worry upsetment recently, it has made my fibro alot worse. Trying not to stress worry certainly helps where fibro pain is concerned. I also try focus my mind on other things and not the fibro that seems to help also, along with treating my self now again to something nice or new hair style anything to give me a lift.
I definitely believe stress has a big impact on our symptoms was in a difficult abusive relationship until a couple of months ago a I have noticed a big improvement in my fibro since getting myself out of that situation it's such a welcome relief and has given me a reason to be positive rather than always stuck in the mindset of negativity and feeling that I will never be able to function like a normal person it's still a struggle as I have a 2 year old to care for but no where near as bad as before and I've been getting help from my health visitor witch iwas worried about asking for at first as I thought they might say I can not cope with my son on my own but she has been so supportive i wish I had asked for the help ages ago I also have been having some therapy it's really helped me to learn techniques to be positive rather than negative
Hi Kaz, There is so many things in life that we just don't have any control over. The actions of others is one. We are typically sensitive people and we invest a great deal in our relationships. When people let us down, which is often the case, we feel a sense of abandonment. I have learned over my lifetime that we really need to nurture our own sense of belonging. It really does come from within. There are some stresses that come to us through other sources of course, such as illness of a family member or financial worries, etc. Keeping a journal is something we should all do. Writing down or typing out our worries and concerns can get it out of our minds and it becomes easier to rationalise and it does not seem to be as big of a mountain. And letting go of things we cannot change or have no control over, is a real factor in creating more peace of mind.
I am so happy for you Naomi! The more self worth you build, the less likelihood of you ever getting into or attracting an abusive relationship. These abusive ones seem to 'sniff' out a vulnerable and sensitive person. Seeking help is one way of giving yourself the nurturing you so deserve Naomi. You have a beautiful Biblical name of a strong loving woman who went through many trials and was blessed in the end. You too will have blessings Naomi. Believe it. You will now be more equipped to be the mother your son needs. It is hard to fill the needs of our loved ones when we are struggling with abuse. I speak from experience. Get yourself some self help books on self esteem Naomi. Do personality tests online. There are free ones. Get to know your strengths and qualities. Get the rubbish out of your mind that abuse puts there! It is all lies. They dump their own self loathing onto their victims. You cannot fix them. They have to change on their own. You must concentrate on yours and your sons best interests from now on. Don't wonder why you have Fibromyalgia girl! Why would you not! Take care of yourself. Show yourself the kindness you so deserve. xx
Hiya Magpie2me, hope alls well..I am great at the moment, soo agree with the boundaries, they are just soooo important to us with fibro, even without, healthy boundaries are sooo helpful to our sanity.. lol, be blessed and have a lovely day..😘😘
Glad you are feeling well. We treasure those days! I think it is a.m. where you are. Wishing you a lovely productive day Christine! xo