In our personal and professional lives, we are constantly hit with one adversity after the other, most of which we have no control over. But the four things we have total control over is how we react, how we adapt, how we breathe, and how we take action.
Diamond Dallas Page
Recently I wrote a post about having to get stuck into some physical activity outside as I was struggling with some emotional stuff at the time that needed an outlet. In that post I mentioned that I had injured my jaw and had taken painkillers, something I very rarely do.
Well I solved the jaw injury today. No, I didn't go to a doctor, I used my trusty detective skills.
For most of my childhood I seemed to sleep like the dead. Thunderstorms and lightning very very frightening? No - not for me. I'd sleep through ANYTHING. I do have some weird questions about this that will probably never actually be answered - I was talking to my sister about this a few days ago and it was that conversation linked with another one that lead me to discovering that on-top of my insomnia, I've now developed sleep Bruxism - which has turned into a very painful jaw experience for almost the last week.
The Trifecta
There's a possible 40% - 60% chance that I either have or will develop obstructive sleep apnea (where you stop breathing during sleep due to your airway relaxing abnormally and essentially closing in on itself - fun times right?) It is believed to be hereditary and I know that one of my forepeople had it. This is why I found the quote ironic. Sometimes we don't have control over our breathing.
Restless leg syndrome - tick. This one is probably the absolute worst for me. Luckily it doesn't seem to happen too often, but it is one of the most irritating things to have to deal with when you are trying to sleep. This is why I found the quote ironic. Sometimes we don't have control over our actions.
So "how to do you fux with the brux?" you ask. Good question!
Today I took action to address at least one of the underlying causes of it. It was not a heroic action, it was not my most shining hour - far from it, but I had to implement change.
Sometimes when you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, the only thing that you can try do is move. Choose a direction, take the reigns and action it or you will remain wedged in. I've been having to do this a lot recently and while many of these actions are by no means easy decisions and I find myself muddling for days to ascertain which is the lesser of two or more evils, ultimately something needs to be actioned to affect change.
Tomorrow I will need to wake up and live with my choices - live with my actions - all of them. It's called taking responsibility and ownership. It's called being an adult. I will do so, some of them will make me proud, most of them probably won't... but stagnate? - I will not.
Lift Heavy Shit
— Galenkp
I shovelled shit today - literally and figuratively - because someone has to do it and that someone is me.
Taking affirmative action for oneself is often a double edged sword as it can often mean something, or someone, is disadvantaged. I get the impression it is so in this case of yours. Here's the thing though, you're important. You know? Without you there's...Well, for you without you there's nothing. And so some care must be taken, some evaluations, decisions and actions. Clearly you get it, I'm just reiterating.
I looked up bruxism and see that sleep patterns must be established, stress must be reduced, calm must be maintained prior to sleep and other such things...It makes sense. I've operated on little sleep in the past through necessity but one never operates at optimal performance in that sleep-deprived state so...I hope this difficult thing, the issue you addressed, has an impact positively, even though it seems it'll have a negative one also.
Hi Galen. Thanks for the comment. Indeed a double edged sword is a good descriptor.
I've never been the person to run from the hard stuff in life and this was a necessary decision.
Being sleep deprived is so bad for ones overall well-being, there doesn't seem to be a facet of a person that it doesn't negatively affect and I didn't realize how quickly it could create secondary issues like this as well as the obvious ones like slowed reaction times etc which can be life threatening while driving for example. I have to take my daughter's well being into consideration as a priority.
I was speaking to my sister today and strangely she suffers from bruxism too, it used to be so bad that she had to sleep with a dental guard, but she has managed to deal with some of her sleep issues with melatonin as it helps to regulate circadian rhythms. I think I have some in my first aid tote, so I might give that a try too.
Shield maiden.
It's interesting to hear about your sister and I wonder if this thing is hereditary? Maybe it's just coincidence though. It's good that she offered you some insight into what worked for her and I hope it works for you. You have your daughter to care for and for that you need to be on your A-game...But you also have you to worry about and care for so I'm glad you've gotten some answers and are working towards a resolution.
Diamond Dallas Page, shovels shit and borderline mute. You must have dudes lined up outside.
💖
Hey @dandays Hmmm yes I can see them outside lined up in droves drooling over my shit shovelling posts and jaw ruminating lol.
Your sarcasm and sense of humour is always appreciated 😊
Have a good day.
Heart emoji, really. Most everyone else makes me wait a couple years for their acceptance. ;-/
I think bruxism is a hard nut to crack, but you are such a can-do kind of gal, I have no doubts that you will kick this bad boy to the curb. All the natural ways to do it, including exercise, to relax you, meditation, music, I have no doubts that you have used them along the way.
Breathe deeply. You do know that stress is the major cause of it? Yeah, I know you know. I almost never get on the computer or devices before bed (bad juju all the way around) even television. These moments are all about you, girl. Leave the trash to the sidelines for a moment or three. A hot shower/bath... relax. (If only, right?)
You are on top of it, and for people who don't know what it is, it is what a dentist calls grinding your teeth at night. It is something less than 10% of the population has, but many don't know it. Have you ever addressed this with a dentist? Amazingly, sometimes a night guard can help with the headaches and I am not sure if you have had any oral deterioration with this problem?
Hypnosis is another thing that works as a behavioral approach to teeth grinding. Basically, by training your brain while you are awake, you can train it to not grind at night. I'm not sure what you have tried, or how old this is to you, but, it isn't one of those things you want hanging out with you.
And less alcohol and caffeine! (of course, taking all the fun away is my job!
I know none of this is going to help tonight, but, just know that I'm here, thinking about you, hoping that helps, even if only a little. Be well, my friend. And check out a dentist if you haven't already.
Hi Denise.
Thank you so much for your message, it is greatly appreciated, you know a lot about it. It sucks doesn't it!
It's pretty new for me, well at least to the degree that I have an injured jaw at least and it is most definitely stress induced, that is for sure.
Yes, the caffeine is a problem - it's my favourite vice 😔 I don't drink alcohol so that's not a contributing factor, but there were definitely others that I have now started tackling. I love your suggestions though and think I will need to implement more of a wind down routine for myself, just generally all round in fact.
Thanks a stack for the moral support, it means a lot. Many of us seems to struggle with sleep issues, let's hope for all of us to get better sleep tonight.
Have a lovely evening Denise 🌹
I'm so glad you didn't take it the wrong way. I have a very good friend with TMJ and it can be a lifewrecker. A wind-down will be an amazing start. I wasn't kidding about the dentist though. A mouthguard can be a game-changer.
In the meantime, massage your jaw, hot bath, and some herbal tea. Or not, but, try to really cut down on the caffeine.
I lost train of thought and forget to tell you what a kick-ass shot that is of you! I love it!
Hi Andy, sorry to hear about these problems you're facing. The term bruxism is new to me, but my dentist always observe my habit of grinding my teeth (due to an overbite, or constantly shifting of my teeth)
My dentist offered me a mouth guard to sleep with. I never got around to it though.
The less stressed I am the less I grind my teeth, so I hope you find a way to balance things, as your problem (restless leg syndrome and bruxism) seems drastic and difficult to cope with. I do hope you regain your healthy sleep patterns, as sleep is essential. I've never been a sound sleeper, but I perform way better when I get a good night's rest.
I have no doubt you'll continue to do your own research to see the best way to self-help the conditions, as much as possible.
These problems sound trivial, but they're all nerve related, so it affects different parts of the body in substantial ways.
All good wishes xx
Hey Miilly. So nice hearing from you.
It seems this issue has affected quite a few of us, I'm glad you've been able to find natural ways to deal with it. I think a big part is being able to identify the environmental stressors and work on reducing those as they are probably the quickest options to tackle.
You are absolutely spot on that they are nervous system related. I hate to admit it but my caffeine intake is probably also a major contributing factor and while I do drink quite a bit of decaf, it's just never the same as a full roast cuppa Joe ya know?
I hope you are well, I didn't pick up if you guys were able to do the video stream on 3speak after we last chatted??
Kind regards
Andy
For sure! We apply different coping mechanisms automatically, that sometimes we don't even get the chance to really focus or pinpoint the source of our stress.
It sounds cliche, and like a simple matter, but try focusing on your breathing. I have an inclination to taking shallow breaths. When I addressed that problem, I saw "breathe of life" with a new meaning.
No, we didn't get around to another livestream, but we're well on our way to Leicester, where we'll meet family. Tomorrow morning we take on a flight of locks, an amazing operation of ascending (which I hope to see volunteers assisting) to different levels. Hopefully the weather will be mild:)
Hi Milly
Ooh I've always wanted to see how those locks work, I find that kind of thing fascinating - I'm just so weird like that. I will be holding thumbs for you (wishing you luck) that you get the good weather for it.
I took Melatonin last night before bed and I think it helped (or possibly just the changes implemented have already had an impact) but I slept through the night last night for the first time in probably weeks and it was good quality sleep too. I felt like a different person this morning and my jaw was far less painful.
The breathing - I am the same as you - my breathing definitely is an aspect that changes depending on the circumstances and stressors. I have a sneaky suspicion that this is also tied to elevated levels of preparedness as in my body and mind preparing for fight or flight response.
A few years ago I did some training for the work I was doing at the time (it was linked to anti-poaching) and we were doing threat awareness training and environmental surveillance. My instructor said that he could see I am always in what he called "active yellow" mode. It was a compliment at the time because I aced the training in the top 3 of the class in both theory, practice and fire arm handling - but in reality, being on alert constantly is actually very bad for your nervous system and learning to find some "at rest green" is going to be a priority for me.
Sorry about the long comments, I really need to work on not writing novels when replying lol.
Have a super day and hope you enjoy the lock ascending :)
Hi Andy, I'm glad you found some Melatonin. I remembered it after I responded yesterday. I took it nightly for 3 months in the Philippines and saw much improvement in my sleep. I felt rested even after short hours of sleep. I guess it helps you to get deeper sleep. I was worried and warned that I might become dependent on it, but when I arrived UK, I slept perfectly fine without the need for it. It's all natural, so I think that's a great option.
I totally get being alert and in "active yellow" mode. I'm like that naturally, and I think you need to be, depending on your environment basically.
I became conscious of this after living in Holland for a year. I didn't understand a new feeling that came over me. It was the first time I ever let my guard down and relax.
Now, I think I've found a balance:)
It's a beautiful morning here, and doing the flight of locks was pleasant with a fresh breeze.
That's ok with the long comments. Sometimes mine gets out of hand, and other times it's just a short line; with no real reason. I guess it's just the mood and the topic, maybe :)
Hey Milly.
So delighted to read that you enjoyed the flight of locks. I know that there's a big one out close to Leicester (Foxton locks) which I wouldn't mind going through just for the experience you know?
This I can imagine would be a really strange phenomenon - would love to welcome that feeling to be honest! It's good that you've now found that balance!
I had the most stunning cup of coffee two days ago at a little place close by here which I think deserves a mention in 3Cs, will put it together soon :)
Hope the rest of your day is wonderful.
Enjoy
Yes, Foxton Locks is beautiful. We will take on that set probably tomorrow, and moor up there for a few days, so friends can pop up to see us for the day, before we get into Leicester.
Cameron and I used to visit it and dream about owning a boat many years ago. The locks are different and you need to follow the correct sequence.
The volunteers say:
"Red before white, and you'll be all right; white before red, and you wish you were dead."
They need say no more, for me to get the idea😆
Yes, please! I hope you get the chance to write about your coffee experience:)
Yep, bruxism here too, and also every time I am angry, I clinch the jaws, and my 2 daughters have sleep apnea and bruxism, so it's my gene for sure, it also means they snore like crazy 😁.
Let me guess, you're the hyperactive type?