Help?

[Elennare]

I am getting married in a week and a half.  I still don't have all the planning done (including some pretty big stuff).  I am getting WAY to stressed out about it, to the point where I am almost in tears thinking about it.  My wedding is in MI, while my fiance and I live in WA.  This makes calling people in MI to set stuff up difficult, especially as I have to work 9-hour days this week because I took a day off last week to go to MI to take care of planning stuff.  My fiance isn't any better on the stress issues.  And, I am quite sure that the stress contributed to, if it was not the main cause of, my latest big worry-I hurt my back over the weekend.  The doctor says it's just muscle spasms and should clear up soon, but it still really hurts.  It's getting much better, and I made it in to work today, but I'm still worried that it won't get better in time.  And since I took 2 sick days, and those only can be taken as 8-hour days, I have to work 10-hour days today and tomorrow, which doesn't help with trying to get everything planned.  ARGH!

If you could send some prayers and calming/healing energy our way, we would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

[Trillium]

Sending you lots of relaxing, healing thoughts!  Take some for yourself to relax.  Try heat and/or ice on your back (heat works best for me since ice makes me tense up even more).  I know when we were trying to buy a house my back was sore for a month.  Once we got into the house, the pain magically disappeared...

[Element of Air]

Oh hun, I am so sorry to hear of your stress over your wonderful day! I am definitely sending you some calming thoughts and emotions to help with the situation.

I do have to say that yoga and breathing exercises as well as stretching help calm me down significantly and might help your back.

[lordwriothsley]

Oh sweetie you need some time to relax.If you need to see about taking a leave of absence so you can finish your planning and to let your back heal.You and your fiance both are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Fairyfly]

Remember to BREATH hun! It'll work out. Like others have said, take some time by yourself to relax. A nice long hot bath with some candles, or soothing smelling stuff, {Lavender is great for stress relief, as is rose} and it will also help your back feel better.

Definitely sending soothing thoughts your way!

[Elennare]

Thank you all for the support.  It's working!  I am feeling much more relaxed today, even though I still have all the stuff to get done.  Sadly, I don't have any time to take a "me time" break (part of why I'm so stressed out  ), and I can't afford any non-paid time off from work and all my vacation is being used for the honeymoon.  I WILL be relaxing and having lots of time to do nothing in just over a week!     I just need to survive until then.    

I might have to look into the yoga.  Can you recommend any poses to help strech/relax low back muscles?

[Fairyfly]

Element can probably tell you the pose names where I can't, but I can describe them for you. lol I have severe lower back pain when I'm stressed and my guy showed me some stretches that really help.

On the floor, sit on your knees, rear on your calves, and stretch your arms out above your head as you bring your forehead to the floor. Concentrate on stretching your arms and back out as far above your head as you can... walking your hands on the floor away from your body. Hold for a count of 10.

Move your body forward so that you are laying flat. Relax your muscles as much as possible. Hold for a count of 10.

While your lower body remains flat, lift your upper body with your arms under your shoulders, look at the ceiling and stretch up towards it. Hold for a count of 10.

Lay flat again and relax your muscles, hold for 10... and repeat all of the above a few more times.

He also had me stand and pick up one foot behind me with the opposite hand, while holding onto something stable with my free hand... holding that for a count of 10 and then reversing for the other foot.

I went from being in almost non-movable pain to feeling much better.

Good luck hun! And hang in there! You can make it to your Honeymoon!!! 

Oh, the me time doesn't have to be a whole day or anything like that. It can simply be a warm shower {try lavender scented soaps} with calming music playing and no phones or other distractions for the time it takes to get washed up.  Or, a nice warm cup of soothing tea {plenty of relaxing blends in the market} before bed. Both will help you sleep better and give you more energy the next day!