Help - I Don't Feel like Myself

80% of all health issues are directly related to stress, according to the American Medical Association. In case you haven't heard of adaptogens, they are a category of herbs that help reduce the negative effects of stress on the body, restore balance, and support normal metabolic processes. (A lot has been discussed recently about adaptogens, even Oz on Oprah). Adaptogens help increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors and promote normal physiologic function.

To learn more about fast acting adaptogen sprays and watch "The Story of Adaptogens Documentary" 10 minute video, go to VitalHealth.TunguskaMist.com

You'll have more energy and endurance with adaptogens. (You'll get the energy you need to get you through your hectic days)! Adaptogens also help elevate mood and improve mental clarity. (Natural alternatives to antidepressants).

A great book that I recommend is titled Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by Winston and Maimes.

I also recommend listening to Joel Osteen (you can listen to him online) which is very motivating and will help you get through everything you're experiencing. You need daily focus and inspiration and I guarantee he'll put a smile on your face!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or need further advice and/or encouragement. I've studied health, wellness, and Kinesiology for many years and have a passion for helping people change their life:)

May God Bless you and your family with favor and increase in 2009!!!

D.,
I can very much relate. It's so hard to work full time and take care of a family and house. Men cannot possibly understand the pressure that women/moms are under on a daily basis to be "supermom." My advice is to find a therapist/counsellor. Therapy has helped me in the past many times. It is just a third party to talk to openly. They don't judge you and they don't take sides. I can't tell you how much better it feels to get these things off your chest and they often come up with suggestions to use in everyday life that will help you. Good luck and hang in there.

I have three children and they were all three in diapers at once, so I know the busyness & stress. You feel like you're in a rut doing the same things over & over & even though you are around people you still feel alone.
I found stress relief with my church family (friends) & just relying on God. Sometime you just need to get away, let your husband handle the baby & go out for coffee with a friend or take the baby with you to a friends house that has children-someone you can relate to. Make a change in your daily routine, sometimes just a small change can make a big difference. There is power in the name of Jesus, if you just call out his name he will be there! God bless, I will be praying for you. God loves and cares so much for you. Hang in there!

Oh oh - me me, can't you see me here right next to you? :)

You're exhausted and balancing priorities- and your hormones are all jacked up. Of course you don't feel "like yourself". 1. Good therapist - you may or may not need drugs, but talk therapy is a major catharsis. 2. Prozac is my friend, but it doesn't do much for anxiety in my experience. 3. And this may be the most important - get the book, "Feeling Good Feels Great". If you don't do anything else on this list, the book seriously helps with mild - moderate depression. (For severe postpartum, which it doesn't quite sound like you're there yet - Go to the hospital, do not pass go, do not collect $200 - KWIM)? 4. Set aside time for you. Chunk out a couple of hours on a Saturday, hand the baby to your husband, and do what you need to do for you.

*HUGS*
S.

I am on that boat with you! Not all the time, but a lot of the time. I have a hard time keeping things straight and accomplishing anything because I get frazzled. I usually leave walmart almost in tears, the whole experience is awful. Lately for some reason, things have changed. Not sure what exactly...
I would find a counselor and start there., that is a safe environment where you can "dump" it all and walk away. and they may have some suggestions for you too! I did talk to Ava Gotleib at Creative Counseling in PLano. She is nice and funny and listens

Sounds like you could be experiencing depression and some anxiety. I don't know how you feel about medication but it can make a huge difference. It will help you to focus and hold the anxiety down. I also think that maybe therapy would help a bit. It sure helped me. The therapist will listen and help you to cope with your new role. I am also wondering if maybe you could call into work one day and have a day off. Sounds like you are exhausted. Hang in there and try not to be so hard on yourself.

A lot of good advice. I wanted to add that you can experience post-partum depression up to 12 months after baby is born. Medication works. I was completely against it for years and now am so glad that I got on it. It doesn't mean you'll be on it forever but with all the hormonal changes you may just be experiencing a low of one of the hormones in the brain. Good luck and God Bless you!

Welcome to the world of motherhood. Your hormones are all over the place and have not gone back to normal. Perhaps a visit to the doctor is in order and maybe some medication to get you right. Don't wait too much longer to do this. Also we as women and mothers need our "me" alone time to regenerate and feel good about ourselves. Go get a mani or pedi cure and have a break. It's amazing how just a little time changes everything. The other S.

You have received "real" advice and I did go through the exact same thing...at the same time (my baby was also around 10 months) and I saw a counselor and a career coach...long story short....I was STRESSED OUT and had to change something. I closed my in-home daycare and found part time work outside the home. I also joined a gym. I also take about 3000mg of Omega 3's a day and that helped immediately. The anxiety was gone. I recently saw Dr. Shepherd at Mountain Health Chiropractic...he is a chiropractor and a clinical nutritionist. He said that I probably have a mineral deficiency as well due to having a baby. We will be looking to test soon.

Hang in there. If you are introverted...make sure you have YOU time. Schedule it and stick to it. One friend of mine takes a bubble bath every night and the dad puts the kids to sleep....just an idea. If you are extroverted, make sure you are getting out some. Work helps in this area (that was my main problem), but a social life is important for extroverts. (this is what I learned from the career coach)

Anyway, hormones, mineral deficiency, stress....basically it all is telling you that YOU are not taking care of yourself. Run out there, figure out what it takes for you to feel supported...be specific with hubby on this.....and you will be feeling better before you know it. I look back and realize what a wreck I was....it does get better and you definitely are NOT alone. If you need someone to talk to feel free to make contact.

I agree with Sarah. I was frustrated once because doctors weren't listening to me. I found the specialist I thought might help.....and he did. when I told him what the previous doctor had said, he said "Well, you just weren't telling the right doctor."

Having a baby is a major life changer and your body does chemically change. Find yourself a good therapist asap. I'm betting you will feel so much better and you will learn how to juggle your needs along with that of your family better. You can feel good and have a happy family. Go for it!

Welcome to Motherhood and joining the club. Sounds like you are completely normal. Adding a baby into your life can be a big change. The first few months I was on this baby high and happy all the time but as soon as the newness wore off I was in a funk.

Don't try to be a Super Mom. Let your husband help you out as much as possible. My husband and I rotate nights to do the bedtime routine and put our son to bed. I was so tired getting him up, fed and ready for school then working all day then it was time for dinner. Just that extra 30 min every other day was a help. Plus I joined a gym. They have daycare there so for an hour I can just think to myself without my husband, son or a pile of laundry.

D.-you have to make time for yourself. Whether it means joining a gym, getting a babysitter one night a week or just leaving him home with your husband while you get a pedicure.

I thought I was super mom until my son turned 2.5. I was doing everything by myself. I hadn't had a date with my husband in 2 yr. I was so tired and starting to get depressed. The date nights once a week has really helped. Hope this helps.