Ten Pounds and a Toothache - The Importance of Looking Out for "Number One"!

I didn’t realize how much I’d let recent stress levels affect me until I stepped on the scales and saw that I’d gained ten pounds.

To make matters worse, I also developed a toothache that eventually got bad enough to send me to the dentist. I had to have a root canal. What could have been taken care of with some routine maintenance on my part has turned into an expensive, time consuming, painful, aggravating experience.

It just crept up on me.

Eventually something had to get my attention, I suppose. In all my efforts to take care of everything else that’s been going on around me, I’ve forgotten about myself, my own needs … not just wants … NEEDS!

Isn’t that what most mothers do? We worry about everyone and everything else, while forgetting to take care of that which is most essential … our own well being!
In my case, I didn’t realize I was doing it. I’ve always taken pride in my ability to stay in control during stressful situations. This time, for probably only the second time in my life, I received a wake up call telling me I wasn’t doing such a good job after all.

Besides the ten pounds and the toothache, I’ve been scaring myself a little with my forgetfulness. One of the most recent examples being that last night I told someone my grand-daughter, Esther was five years old.
She’s not. She turned six in July.

I knew that!

This morning while taking my son to school, I began to think I’d taken a wrong turn. The road suddenly looked unfamiliar to me. I literally had to ask Adam if we were on the usual route, and he said, “Yes. I think so… Mom? Are you trippin’?”
Maybe. It sort of feels like it.

I reassured myself I’d regain control and do something about this situation before it gets worse. If I don’t do it now, I will likely end up truly physically ill like I did during my last “wake up call” fourteen years ago.

Is stress adversely affecting you? Are you picking up on tell-tale signs that might suggest you need to re-organize your priorities and focus on your needs? Not to add more pressure, after all, but you do have some very important people depending on you. What would happen to them if something happens to you?
Sometimes the symptoms of stress are pretty subtle. Here are a few:

Forgetfulness
Lack of concentration
Poor judgment
Feeling no hope for the future
Racing thoughts
Worrying
Moodiness
Irritability
Inability to relax
Feeling overwhelmed
Sense of loneliness and isolation
Depression or general unhappiness
Unexplained aches and pains
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea, dizziness
Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
Loss of sex drive
Signs of lowered immune system (eg; increased colds and infections)
Improper eating
Change in sleep patterns (too little or too much)
Withdrawal from others or social settings
Putting things off or neglecting responsibilities altogether
“Self-medicating” with alcohol, drugs, etc.
Nail biting, pacing, and other nervous habits

Do any of these sound familiar?

We can’t always control the stressful situations in our lives. In my case, I’ve been dealing with an unruly teenager who’s recently been diagnosed with ADHD and OCD. There’s not a thing I can do about the stress this situation has caused, but I can do something about how it affects me.

I’m just sorry it took ten pounds and a toothache to get my attention.
Don’t let stress take you down. You can fight back. Start looking out for number one (that’s you!)
It’s easier than you might think.

God bless!
Coach Becky J Taylor
Bold New Day! LLC
Personal Development Coaching for Women

www.boldnewday.com
www.beckyjtaylor.com
www.beckyjtaylor.webs.com