Stress Relief

[laralen02]

So I've been having these REALLY bad headaches daily, and nothing makes them go away. I went to the Dr., and he says that they are tension headaches. He prescribed some muscle relaxers for me and suggested I get regular massages or chiropractic treatments. I'm not much for medicine, I NEVER take anything (what a great nurse, huh? ). And I can't really see myself paying money for a massage...it's expensive and I don't get a tangible object for all that money. I'm trying to come up with ways to relieve stress pretty inexpensively, and I thought I'd ask you girls what you do! Everyone's got some things they do to relieve/prevent stress, so maybe we can all benefit from this?

[Adreamer's_wfe]

Think again about getting a massage and the Chriropracter... I started going after I had the triplets and was having a hard time with my recovery. It made a huge difference in how I felt. I started getting a massage when I was PG with #5. I don't get the deep muscle "ouchy" ones, she uses oils, etc. Different oils help with different things, plus she uses a Bioptron light. I know it sounds "goofy" but I swear it helps. If I had to choose between taking a pill every day or laying down for a massage once a week, I would take the massage hands down. Ahhhh....

[Dana]

OOOH, I agree, massage all the way. If you don't want to pay a lot, consider going to the massage schools. They are usually much cheeper.

We have a chain here called Massage Envoy. They are reasonably priced and cheeper if you do the membership thing. I find it very relaxing to take an hour for myself, do nothing and get a massage.

The other thing I found was when I was working out with a trainer 4 times a week (that was over kill), my whole body ached constantly. That may be some of your shoulder/neck discomfort leading to the tension type headaches.... just a thought. Hope you feel better.

[Brenda]

Soemtimes if a dr recommeds that you get a massage, the insurance company will pay for it. I had my dr write me a script for I think it was 3 and it was great for my headaches. All I had to do was pay the co-pay.
Meidtation is also a great one with aroma therapy in the room.
Good luck!

[TheWife]

I agree w/ massages! If you don't want to pay for it, maybe have dh go w/ you to a couples massage class, so he knows how to do it on you! I think they are worth the money, I agree that it's hard to spend money on things when you don't have something physical to hold lol, but if you have a couple weekly visits for a month maybe, and get the years of knots undone, then you could reduce to monthly or every 6 weeks or so and taper off based on your headaches. I get them as well, and a massage or 4 Advil liquigels, or a Percocet, are the only things that work.

[laralen02]

Hmmm...maybe I will do the massage thing. Some people at work recommended a place to me that does an hour long massage for $44, $39 if it's your first time.

I told DH about my problems, and he did the "I'LL FIX IT!" aka I'm your hero thing and tried to give me a good massage. I mean it FELT good, but no lasting effects. Effort was cute, however.

I'd love to do a couple's massage class, but at this point we don't see each other often enough. He's currently Mesa's slave, and I get to see him about once a month when our days off coincide. I think that's alot of the stress right there!

Right now my stress relief is the typical girly thing, my favorite candle (lemon lavender) with a bath and a good book. It helps, but I'm beginning to feel a bit waterlogged.

Maybe I'll go back to the doctor and ask if I can get a prescription for it...not a bad idea (if I'm brave enough). I also like the "taper off the massages" idea, Michelle.

Thanks guys!

[Adreamer's_wfe]

Lin, my massage therapist, has been teaching my 7-year-old how to give a massage. God bless her!! Emily tries really hard, and is really proud that she makes her Mommy feel better. My DH is an Athletic Trainer - I have to be REALLY desperate to ask him. He used to work on football players, and I have to remind him that I am not one myself. OUCH!!

Lin is $35, for an hour, and she works out of different places. Ask around, one of your friends may know of someone.

[Kristie]

I say massage all the way! i actually go in and just have the back, neck, shoulders, wrists and scalp massage done and by the time i leave, i'm in zone land. scalp massages just feel awesome!

oh, one idea might be to go get your hair shampooed/styled as that helps me relax and take time out for me...

i also have a hammock that i absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE and use that as a relaxation point... hear the breeze, the neighbors waterfall and all my worries go to sleep. a lot of times, i'll use sleep as my relaxation too.

I'm still trying to find ways to minimize price, it's not easy and sometimes you just have to stick price out the window and go with it, get something done for you.

I too have been headaches daily and i think it's cuz of eye strain and work stress. so i'm heading out to the hammock to get a bit of sun before it goes down. only problem is that it's 94 degrees out here and if there's not a breeze, you can get pretty hot pretty quickly.

[laralen02]

Eh, screw what the cost is. I need to realize that I'm no longer a poor college student and I actually make money now. So, money aside, what's good to help me out?

I would LOVE a hammock, but apartment living doesn't really allow for it. And I can't do the sunbathing thing--I have a skin condition called vitiligo that doesn't allow for that.

Hair styling--I'm kind of a minimalist when it comes to hair. I just wash it and go, never really styled. I only cut it about every 6 months. I don't think anyone would recognize me if I did style it!

I'm going to do the massage...everryone's recommending it.

[Kristie]

you won't be sorry with a good back/scalp massage!!