Stress and FND: Permission to be Selfish?

STRESS… My trigger. Obviously, there are the big stressors – health, relationship, and financial stress. But I also frequently overlooked the little stressors – getting to work or kids to school, children and husband talking at the same time, clutter on the kitchen bench (again!), unexpected phone calls or visits from friends or family. All of these innocent life activities puts a strain on my mind. However, noticing how my body reacts is the secret to managing and living with FND.

(Photo by Pedro Figueras: https://www.pexels.com/photo/stress-handwritten-text-on-white-printer-paper-626165/)

These daily nuances, affectionally called life drain my inner battery. I need to be aware before I commit to SOMETHING or SOMEONE else, that this will end up “costing” me. And for this reason, I need to be self-aware and selfish! Even if you don’t have FND, life is hectic and as a mamma (or a pappa) you need to recharge your battery before it is completely flat!

Recharging my battery can take just 5 minutes, obviously not a full recharge but a little “top-up” to keep me going. But some days, recharging can mean, saying no to invitations because I need some serious recharge time.  Now I have learnt to determine if I have the capacity to take the phone call, or say yes to Sunday breakfast because future me, might just need a little quiet time. Taking the time to plan the day or week helps me to know what my schedule is and the likelihood of needing more recharge time.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating being late for work or school, antisocial behaviours or living in squalor but what I am saying that in this day and age, where chronic illnesses and burnout seems to be on the rise, we need to be aware of our internal batteries and not say yes to everything. Give yourself the permission to say “NO” or at least “not at this moment”.

This is where sometimes I think FND can be a blessing – I have to be aware of that close relationship between mind and body. I am more aware of stressors, because my body definitely tells me – well actually it shouts at me and if I don’t listen… oh boy!! My body tells me when my battery is depleting, and I need to recharge – and that is ok. Life’s little stressors are now my reason to be a little selfish, it helps me to remember that I am only human after all, I cannot do everything at once, and if it is urgent, then we can prioritise.