From the article: Are You Feeling Overwhelmed?
Let's face it, having arthritis on top of all the other stress in your life feels like more than you can handle some days. "Me time" might be just what you need to unwind.
"Me time" is time for you to focus on you -- any way you choose to do it. It could be getting your hair done, going out to lunch with your best friend, reading that book you have been wanting to finish -- anything you love to do.
The benefits of "me time" seem obvious. It's like recharging your battery. Time away from the stress of living with arthritis, family obligations, and work. Do you get enough "me time"? Share Your Feelings
Overwhelmed-Letting others down
- I have a multitude of chronic health issues & a pain pump. It's the holidays, & I have to leave my house in shambles (to me). My son was diagnosed also with a chronic illness, so there are procedures & out of town trips. I pay bills, grocery shop, manage health care, and always feel close to mental shut-down, even on anti-depressants. I finally realized a while back there is way more than I can handle. Everyone works, so I HAVE to realize that the house is a mess, the food uncooked, the groceries unfinished, and for me, I always feel I let others down. VERY recently, I suddenly developed pain in my joints & muscles, esp. feet. legs, and sometimes my hands won't work. I keep focusing on the word "PEACE", and I realize I have to stop, I mean everything, and lay down. There is no me time except in bed. Turning those negative, overwhelming thoughts and feelings around is so hard, but I have to cut my time into hour-long blocks, then, let go, & pray "Peace", like a mantra.
- —Guest Rhonda Maddux
Husband and children
- My husband doesn't understand that stress gives me pain and my 11 yr old doesn't either.
- —Guest charlotte regalado
Yes to Me Time
- Rheumatoid arthritis for 25 years has made "me time" important. Even though I have arthritis in my feet, I walk and go to the gym almost every day. I can't lift heavy weights but I feel much better. I need that 2 hrs a day for me. Also a hot shower and my spirituality get me through the day. On a really bad day, a cup of hot tea and a good book!!!
- —Guest Linda Miles
Not Enough Me Time
- Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and it takes me so long to get things done. I have other problems besides psoriatric arthritis and if I try to get out 2 days in a row I am exhausted. Yesterday was too much for me and I had an anxiety attack because I just couldn't cope.
- —Guest marilyn
ME TIME
- A lot of my friends do not have R/A so I don't expect them to understand. I take showers not too hot about 86 degrees, oh my feels so good. What feels good ''WATER'' TAKES AWAY MY THINKING ABOUT MY R/A SO it helps me in my "me time". Try it, it feels great. Any swimming pool that's not crowded. So feel good, it's wonderful.
- —Guest DORIS WHITE
''Me time''
- I suffer from, in this order they happened: Osteo, Depression and Rheumatoid arthritis. I do get a fair enough ''Me Time'' and I think it helps with your thoughts but I prefer not to think too much as my depression kicks in. I love fly fishing but at the moment am unable to do it as after a day on the river my whole body will hardly move because of the pain and stiffness I feel. The fly fishing helps a lot with my depression but not with my arthritis. I also suffer from spondolosis which is excrutiating after fishing. I don't get enough exercise, although I have tried it from hospital physio and I also had an exercise bike but cannot use that any more due to the overwhelming pain I get in my knees. I have severely swollen legs after any sort of ordinary day but when I go to bed and wake up they look fairly normal but it is not long before they swell up again. ''Me Time'' is important in an ordinary life but to those of us who suffer from these ailments it's even more so.
- —Guest Steven Griffin
