overthehildablog@gmail.com

Over The Hilda

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Style & Beauty
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

How Work Stress made me Sick and Complementary Medicine Helped me Recover

0
Hilda
Monday, 12 August 2019 / Published in Health & Wellbeing, Home, Lifestyle & Leisure, News

How Work Stress made me Sick and Complementary Medicine Helped me Recover

Stress is one of the biggest problems in today’s world. Of course, we all have to deal with stressful situations at various times in our lives, but continuous stress can impact hugely on our health, as I found out to my cost in 2010.

BACKGROUND

I taught English very happily for 34 years and even though teaching has become more stressful in recent years, I rarely found the classroom stressful.

Yes, preparation and corrections were always time-consuming and I always put myself under pressure to get corrected work back to the pupils as soon as possible. But I loved the actual time in the classroom.

But I took on an extra role of Academic Head and the stress of that eventually made me very ill. I was a perfectionist in my work life and when I had the dual roles, I often worked 12-hour days. I left the house at 6.40 every morning and was home about 7.30pm most days. One day a week I did not get home until 11.00pm.

ILLNESS

Within a few years in my new role, I had reached rock bottom. Though I fell into bed exhausted, I found myself pacing the floor at 2.00am with heart palpitations. Bursting into tears or just crying silently for hours became the norm when I got home from school.

When sores appeared on my thighs and I lost feeling in my legs between my ankles and knees, I headed to the doctor, though I continued to go to school. Blood tests indicated a very low white blood cell count and low neutrophils. My doctor sent me to various consultants. Eventually, I collapsed and could not get out of bed.

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES

While waiting for a lumbar puncture (which I never had), I went to Lisa Cassidy, an acupuncturist/complementary practitioner, and cried my way through my appointment.

Lisa told me I had adrenal fatigue, that I was literally running on empty and my lymphatic system was not working properly.  She sent me to Andrew Smith at ‘The Willows Clinic’, who used The Perrin Technique (for people with ME) to help me recover.

I also went to Roisin O’Kelly, naturopath at ‘Breath of Life’, who made me a herbal tonic and immune booster, to aid my recovery.

Following weeks of lymphatic drainage massage, acupuncture and cupping (all part of Lisa’s treatment), the feeling started to return to my legs and I began to feel a little better. Slowly, I started to recover.

LEGACY

Even though I gave up that administrative role and returned to purely teaching, I found the exhaustion was never far away. I needed lots of sleep and rest and frequently went to bed when I got home from school to unwind. It was one of the reasons I took early retirement. I was fortunate in that I realised that the job was literally killing me.

My white blood cell count still remains very low.

Even though I’m retired, I still have bouts of utter exhaustion. I recognise the signs now and seek help before I reach the lows of 2010.

WHAT I LEARNED

  • There is no such person as SUPERWOMAN.
  • I was trying to be all things to all people.
  • Don’t be a ‘PEOPLE PLEASER’.
  • Seek help early.
  • Say NO.

SOME SIGNS OF EXTREME STRESS

1  Disturbed sleep

2  Being over-emotional e.g. crying for no reason

3  Physical signs e.g. headaches/ low energy/ rapid heartbeat

4  Feeling overwhelmed/ depressed

5  Rashes or skin problems

SELF-CARE

My doctor wanted to put me on anti-depressants, but I knew that I did not need them. Conventional medicine did not help me and I was fortunate that I found both the right people and the right treatments in complementary medicine that did.

It has taken me four years of writing the blog before I felt ready to share this. I have been feeling below par recently again and while I am nowhere nearly as bad as before, I have been very tired and realise that I need to take stock and practise SELF-CARE.

So while I was at a lovely lunch (courtesy of Longines) at last Thursday’s Dublin Horse Show (see photo above) I came home early (missing another function) and went to bed. Yes, I am getting sensible in my middle age!

Thanks for reading. I hope sharing my story might help other others to recognise if they are heading down that road and to look for answers from complementary as well as conventional medicine.

Hilda

 

 

 

 

 

Tagged under: acupuncture, adrenal fatigue, Andrew Smith, Breath of Life, complementary medicine, lisa cassidy, naturopath, self-care, self-love, signs of stress, stress, The Perrin Technique, Willows Clinic, work life balance

What you can read next

Wrinkles, wrinkles everywhere and not a cure in sight!
The Coffee Fix
Drink Lemon, Water and Ginger to stay Healthy

29 Comments to “ How Work Stress made me Sick and Complementary Medicine Helped me Recover”

  1. Nancy says :Reply
    August 12, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    Oh I’m so sorry you had to go through that. It’s awful, I know. I lived on stress hormones for years until I couldn’t go on anymore. I’m so glad that you learned to stop on time now.

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 13, 2019 at 6:11 pm

      You have a lot to contend with Nancy. You take care too. x

  2. Jackie Greene says :Reply
    August 12, 2019 at 8:52 pm

    Hilda, at least you have learned to STOP! My issue with this is thyroid related and I call it ‘flat-batteried’. I start to feel exhausted, slow up and know it’s time for a few days doing precious little. Lots of sleep and a good book and daytime rubbish on the telly until my energy levels right themselves with the pills again. No one thanks you for overdoing things for them! Look after yourself, as that ad says, ‘because you’re worth it’!

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 13, 2019 at 6:09 pm

      Jackie I would imagine you are pulled in many directions in your busy life. Take care x

  3. Marita says :Reply
    August 13, 2019 at 8:53 am

    Remember the ‘work life balance’ wall!

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 13, 2019 at 6:07 pm

      Yes..but deed not heed it then… x

  4. Grace Liang says :Reply
    August 13, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this post! Self care is SO important!

    https://colorandgrace.com

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 13, 2019 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks Grace. I know you have been through a lot of stress in recent years and it is great to see you doing so well.

  5. Christina Daggett says :Reply
    August 13, 2019 at 6:01 pm

    It’s great when you recognize now, when you need to relax, slow down and practice self care. My husband and I retired early and now travel as a lifestyle. We’ve never had any regrets. Middle age must help us all recognize what’s important in life. Thanks for sharing, Hilda.

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 13, 2019 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks for commenting Christina. So glad that you and your husband are enjoying life.

  6. Gail says :Reply
    August 14, 2019 at 3:28 pm

    It sounds very scary and debilitating Hilda. I recently had a few months where I felt very stressed, for the first time in my career, because I was in a relatively new job and some of the people I was working with didn’t seem to value my contributions. I was having trouble sleeping, heart racing, over eating through stress. Fortunately I managed to get some changes at work and feel a lot better now. It’s good advice to take care of ourselves. So glad you came over to link up at #WowOnWednesday!

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 14, 2019 at 8:12 pm

      I am glad you got some changes.. your symptoms were classic. I always forget to do the link ups. I need to be more organised. Also going to copy your idea of putting up the bloggers with whom I link up. My blogging etiquette is poor. I just have to work out how to do it…. xxx

  7. Tina Tuszynski says :Reply
    August 14, 2019 at 7:43 pm

    Such a great post, Hilda! I am sorry you had to go thru this, but totally love that your healing involved complementary and alternative medicine. I am a total believer in it as it addresses the cause, not symptoms. Doctors are so quick to prescribe pills, which don’t take care of the cause and have a host of other side effects. My husband had a similar experience as yours several years ago; alternative medicine healed him when traditional medicine did not. And take care of yourself – rest is so important.

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 14, 2019 at 8:06 pm

      Thanks Tina.. I am glad your hubby good too. Yes I go to Lisa every 4 to 6 weeks now for massage and acupuncture. She had been in hospital and I had not seen her for 3 months and I reckon she would have picked up the signs.. she always knows when I am below par.. before I do….

  8. Shannon @ Skip to My Life says :Reply
    August 14, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    Thanks so much for being brave enough to share and to guide the rest of us!

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 14, 2019 at 8:01 pm

      Thanks so much Shannon appreciate you commenting x

  9. Kristine says :Reply
    August 14, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    Wow, what a story you have! Thanks for sharing. You’re right. There’s no such thing as “Super Woman.” That’s a purely fictional character. And it IS okay to say “No.” That’s a perfectly valid response. Incidentally, I LOVE English teachers. They were always my favorites. 🙂

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 17, 2019 at 11:14 am

      Thanks Kristine.. xx

  10. Valerie Hansen says :Reply
    August 15, 2019 at 4:31 am

    Thanks for sharing Hilda and being brave..I wish I could be more raw on my blog..I just have a hard time getting to that place. Anyway too am in the teaching profession. I quit my job last Dec as a reading teacher/tutor after 18 years…it was a very toxicl and stressful atmosphere. I still need to work but taking a very needed break…

    Glad you got relief and you are able to rest now…xo

    Take care!

    Valerie ( The Other Hilda)

  11. Michelle Hickey says :Reply
    August 15, 2019 at 11:50 am

    Hilda this is one of your best blogs and so honest. You are such an outgoing person, a real people person, that I find it hard to believe that you have been going through this. It seems that you know now how to manage this and thankfully you didn’t resort to medication. Mind yourself Hilda and thanks for sharing.xx

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 17, 2019 at 11:15 am

      Michelle thank you. I recognise the signs now and get help. xxx

  12. ROBIN LAMONTE says :Reply
    August 16, 2019 at 10:55 pm

    Hilda,

    Stress causes depression, heart attaches and so many other illnesses that I’m so sorry that you had to go through with it but happy you now recognize your health is more important than keeping up with a career.
    I am happy you decided on a more holistic approach to your health than taking ant depressants.
    We are not SUPER WOMEN, but we need to have the courage to ask for help when we can’t do everything.
    When we make it look easy people tend to forget the hard word behind it.

    Hugs my sweet friend,
    Robin

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 17, 2019 at 11:11 am

      Thank you Robin. It took me a while to admit I was not Superwoman!

  13. Marijke says :Reply
    August 17, 2019 at 4:43 am

    An amazing story and even more courageous that you put it to paper. To me it shows how important it is to look for the cause rather than take the symptoms away. Good on you that you said no to anti- depressants. Keep on making time for self care and listen to your gut feeling😍

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      August 17, 2019 at 11:10 am

      Thanks Marijke. It took a while to get the courage to do it xx

  14. Sharon says :Reply
    August 17, 2019 at 10:16 am

    I said I would come over to read. It seems we’ve both been sharing important stories this week,Hilda.

    Like you I’ve learned to recognise the signs of when I need to retreat for a little while.

    It surrounds horrendous what you went through with your symptoms. A good friend of mine, since school, is a head teacher. She loves her job but is always ill.

    It’s good that we share our stories. Helping others helps us. Sharon xo

  15. Hilda says :Reply
    August 17, 2019 at 11:09 am

    Thanks Sharon. Yes we need to take stock and look after our health. Do what we can to keep well. Thanks for commenting. x

  16. Alacoque Halpin says :Reply
    September 15, 2019 at 5:47 am

    Thank you Hilda for being so candid, one never knows what another is going through and you are always in such great form, well done to you. Wishing you the best health from now on, Alacoque

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      September 15, 2019 at 10:38 am

      Ah Alacoque you are so kind. I really appreciate your comment xxx

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sign up here to receive updates straight to your mailbox
Loading

DELIGHTED TO BE IN THE TOP 15!

Fashion Over 50

overthehilda

overthehilda
Forgot to post this pic from a few months ago, tak Forgot to post this pic from a few months ago, taken when we could go further than 5k. Wearing all Zara except for old @carl_scarpa boots. How are you coping with the present lockdown? I am reading lots and watching telly and walking. I sympathise with those of you who are homeschooling and trying to work. Not easy. But we are nearly there. Stay strong.

#easydressing #patternmixing #mystyle
#outfitinspirations #casualstyle #colour
#staypositive #cardigan #over60blogger 
#over60style #overthehilda
New Year Resolutions are not for me. I just love New Year Resolutions are not for me.
 I just love the life I live. Of course I am worried about the Pandemic. Who isn't? 
But even though I cannot meet friends, eat out or do many of the 'normal' activities I used to do, I can still walk and enjoy the lovely place I live. Pop over to the blog to see my farewell to 2020.

 'Life is not measured by 
the number of breaths we take, but
the moments that take our breaths away.'

Maya Angelou.

#staypositive #wintersea #seascene #waves #whitehorses #wintersky #lovethelifeyoulive #cloudscene #lookforward #overthehilda
Happy New Year from Graham and me. A different New Happy New Year from Graham and me. A different New Year's Eve for certain. We are sitting at home watching the telly. But welcoming in 2021 with open arms and hoping that in a few months we can return to a more normal life. 

While 2020 was tough, it also made me appreciate (even more) the beautiful place where I live. 

2020 also had its highlights: our third grandson arrived a few weeks ago!

Stay positive my friends. Stay safe and
 thank you for your support. 
#over60blogger
#newyearseve
#staypositive
#hopeful
#bestrong💪
#selfie
Back view yesterday. Front view today on a sunny d Back view yesterday. Front view today on a sunny day. What I did not tell you is that the coat is reversible but I pefer the faux fur in the inside. All deets on previous post. You can see the rest of the 'Style Not Age' gang on stories or on the blog. And @mummabstylish @annasislandstyle @thestylesplash  and @is_this_mutton_  look fabulous when they are out and about. Hop over to stories.

#outandabout #sharedootdinspirations #stylenotage #casualstyle #coatseason 
#walkingoutfit #affordablefashion #agelessstyle #mystyle #mystyleessential
It is the last 'Style Not Age' of the year and we It is the last 'Style Not Age' of the year and we are out and about. Warm outerwear has never been more important, as we meet up with friends for socially distanced coffee outdoors.

 The coat from @primark has kept me cosy during these difficult Covid times.  This pic was taken down a country lane a few weeks ago when I was visiting my parents.

And I have lived in these camo leggings from @fandfclothing for the past few months.  Walking boots and hat are old. Pop over to stories for more pics.

Go check out my friends @annasislandstyle @mummabstylish @is_this_mutton_ @thestylesplash to see what they wear when they are out and about.
#stylenotage #outandabout #stayingwarm #over50blogger #casualstyle #walking #warmcoat #outdoorsstyle #cosystyle #over60style#
Writing about the importance of supplementing with Writing about the importance of supplementing with Vitamin C (particularly at the moment) on the blog. Liposomal Vitamin C is all the rage becuse it promises optimal absorption. It is all quite scientific. But what you need to know is that taking it will benefit your immune system, your energy and your skin. Did I mention this Somega is delicious? More on the blog.

#gosomega #irishbusiness #immunehealth #naturalsupplements #boostyourimmunity #irishvitamins #discoverhealth #liposomal #vitc #immuneboost #somega #vitaminc
From the archives. Remember when we tried on dress From the archives. Remember when we tried on dresses etc in changing rooms? And browsed in shops?
This is one that got away. Kind of wish I had bought it now @lkbennettlondon 
I am not so good at online shopping. Bought runners online in the size I normally get in that brand and they had to go back. Anyone else with the same problem?

#shoppingfun #dresslover #shoppingday 
#dressingup #over50style #stylishoutfit #stayingstylish over60style #styleover50
My birthday was extra special this year because of My birthday was extra special this year because of the arrival of this little man. Thank you @courtneysmithstyle and @mfnewman for the gift of a third grandson. My house will be wrecked but my heart is full. Welcome Zen to our world.  What a wonderful name. 

#grandsonlove #bestbirthday
#newbabyboy #grandson #myfamilymylife
Showing you my boots from our latest Style Not Age Showing you my boots from our latest Style Not Age 'A touch of Sparkle' challenge. These are very old. Maybe you can tell😛 They are no longer comfortable enough to walk far in them, but I don't want to get rid of them. The sparkly bag is from @shopfolkster
You can check out the entire outfit in stories along with the fabulous outfits from @annasislandstyle
@mummabstylish @is_this_mutton_ and @thestylesplash. 
#over50style #bootup #sparklesparkle #stylishoutfit #stylishatanyage #over60blogger #stylenotage #outfitideas #irishover60blogger #stayingstylish #fashionforall #maturestyle #over50fashion
🪥 My new stylish electric toothbrush (gifted) h 🪥 My new stylish electric toothbrush (gifted) has Ionic Brushing Superpowers! 

🪥Sounds impressive? It is!

🪥But do not ask me to explain it.Check out @ion.sei for all the science stuff. And learn about the innovative technology used in this German manufactured and Japanese inspired toothbrush. 

🪥It has to do with a UV LED light, a titanium bar and negative ions. But it is rather complicated and I am not a science geek.

🪥What I know is that my teeth  and gums feel cleaner and are cleaner. Because it actually prevents plaque from forming.

🪥Easy to use (there are 3 brushing modes) and gentle on gums, it turns off after 2 minutes. And delivers minimum 36,000 strokes in that time!!

#ionicbrusing #dentalcare #oralhygiene #electrictoothbrush #teethgoals #smile #ionic #dentalhygiene #besttoothbrushever #teeth #gifted
Back to golf yesterday. It was a beautiful day @ma Back to golf yesterday. It was a beautiful day @malahidegc1892. Unfortunately my golf was not so beautiful. But it is good to be back. 
#backtogolf #golfcourses #winterday #bluesky #over60blogger #scenic #reflections #bullrushes #lookaround
This month on 'Style Not Age' our theme is 'A Touc This month on 'Style Not Age' our theme is 'A Touch of Sparkle'. Unfortunately I am unable to post on the blog because of technical issues, so for the moment you will have to check out my friends: @annasislandstyle @is_this_mutton_  @mummabstylish @thestylesplash on my stories. 
I am wearing a skirt from @fandfclothing and a jumper from @thebiascutboutique (a few years old) and very old boots.

#atouchofsparkle #over50style #nevertooold #over50blogger #sparklesisters #stylishatanyage #staypositive #dressupathome #overthehilda #over60style #stylenotage
Load More… Follow on Instagram
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Style & Beauty
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

Recent Posts

  • Reading books

    Best Books to Read from Autobiographies to Thrillers

    ‘Reading gives us some place to go when w...
  • Staged

    Binge Watch these Television Series

    We have watched a lot of telly recently. Yes, w...
  • Malahide Estuary

    Goodbye to 2020 and Look Forward

    Goodbye 2020 I believe that most of us (probabl...

OVER THE HILDA

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Style & Beauty
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

Copyright © 2021 overthehilda.ie | web by cloud nine

TOP
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.