Not sure if this is the correct term, but as of late I am overwhelmed with many things or inputs for the lack of a better term and finding it increasingly hard to cope or deal with the issues.

We lost a major account at work of the facility I manage, laid off 4 people right after Christmas. Not sure how long I will have a job here. Have been working on a new account to replace the business, but it seems I take 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. Have issues on the home front along with the financial uncertainty. In the past I would have blown up and gone off the deep end. But in the last couple of years I have learned to control my emotions better and not go off, so now I feel like it is all botteling up and getting ready to blow.

Does anyone know or can they relate to what I am talking about? I was at the counselor today and we talked about it and his idea was to take a weeks vacation. Sounds good to get away from things, but what about when I come back?

Newfdog,

Funny. Given the situation, doesn't it seem nuts for the therapist to suggest a one-week vacation????!!!! I'm obviously no professional, but that kind of advice cracks me up. "Hi, I'm all stressed out because all h**'s breaking loose at work. We've lost an account. People are losing their jobs left and right. I'm afraid I'll lose mine. What can I do?" "I'd recommend taking a week off?" Huh????!!! :confused:

I'm laughing because I had a woman suggest a "partial hospitalization" program to me tonight (as in a psych program, for crying out loud) to help train me to monitor time, etc. (So, I'll, what, go part time to learn time management? This works how????? :confused:) Meanwhile, all h*** is breaking loose for me at work. And this program will help my career how? By convincing my partners that I'm a nut job? It was ridiculous. It was also, dare I say it, complete overkill? :mad: I'm all for emotional well-being, etc., but it's a doggie dog world out there (a friend of mine never understood that it was actually "dog eat dog" and "doggie dog" just seems so much cuter to me...) and in the real world, you don't get to check out when the going gets tough. You knuckle under 'til things lighten up and then celebrate that you made it....

Here are the things that work for me on the emotional flooding, etc. I do think that that is the term, btw. I think it means being overwhelmed emotionally. The biggest thing for me is exercise, strenuous exercise. So if you've got a really stressful thing going on at work, it would be a good idea to get out and move at the end of the day. Maybe you run? Or bike? Or even walk (but a fast walk)? Just get 45 minutes or more of it in, and that will help enormously. You'll feel better after just one session of it. Taking your wife along will give you the added bonus of all that togetherness time (important to rebuilding).

Another BIG help for me is eating right. If I do what I WANT to do, as opposed to what I should, I'll load up on carbs until the cows come home. If, on the other hand, I stick to lean meats, fish, veggies, etc., I'll feel better, more in control, etc. I'm a steak fan (why do I think that you might be, as well? :D) and a really good steak (not too big), plus some veggies, plus a salad, and maybe a glass of red wine or a really good beer? Yeah, that's the ticket. You'll sleep well after that and wake up refreshed. On the other hand that Hungry Man frozen dinner and a six pack (just making something up, here) will knock you on your butt and make you sleep poorly and wake up groggy and unrefreshed.

Here's another tip that works for me, if you can do it: steer clear of caffeine, particularly coffee. I love good coffee, but when I'm in one of these types of periods, I try to stick to decaf and then only get caffeine in smaller doses in tea or sodas, if at all.

In short, take care of yourself. It's not a trite phrase. It has meaning.

Oh, and if your wife's the least bit touchy feely, just snuggle her for a while. If not her, one of your poochies (probably as big as your wife, anyway, given that they're newfies). Just close your eyes, breathe in her smell, touch something soft like her hair, or the poochies' fur. Relax. Breathe. Feel your heart rate slow down...

Avoid too many stimulating things like internet (including the forum), tv, radio if it's stimulating for you, etc.

Good luck.

Sandy

What works for me is to find an hour or so or even a day and let everyone know, very firmly, that I'm on overload and am going to shirk my responsibilities for that time period. I'm no good for myself or anyone else when I'm at the point of shutting down( in a "down in the dumps" way). I NEED that time to recharge my battery. I then will engage in something that is balm for my soul: painting, reading, hiking, photography, etc.
Nourish your soul as well as your body.