6 Signs of Stress

The other day I was panicked because I could not find my car keys. I always place them in the same spot & they were no where to be found. After tearing up my room I realized they were right where I left them earlier in the day. Have you ever had one of these moments? You know the kind of moment where you are looking for your phone only to have it in your hand or your sunglasses only to have them on your head. Please tell me I'm not the only one.  

Everyone is stressed these days. Gov't shutdowns, kids, family, work, money, the list goes on & on. Stress has a nasty way of creeping up on you. Stress can impact the body in very weird & visible ways.

According the AMJH physical symptoms can raise your emotional anxiety even more. For instance, hair loss due to stress, could throw you over the proverbial edge. If you don't break the cycle you can face serious issues such as obesity, depression or heart disease. Doctors suggest the best way to reduce overall stress is to get enough sleep, eat healthy food, exercise, phone a friend & focus on what you can control.  I'm stressed just typing that last sentence. Here are some red flags that your body may be trying to tell your something according to Women's Health:

Stomachaches:

The brain's nervous system is linked to the gut's, so mental stress can wreak havoc on your GI tract, says Bincy Abraham, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Baylor College of Medicine. Depending on your situation, your doctor may treat your tummy troubles with over-the-counter drugs (stool softeners), prescriptions (such as antinausea meds), or dietary changes (fiber can restore your gut's stress-ravaged helpful bacteria).

In the meantime, the best natural remedy for stress-caused constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting is. . .exercise. It may sound like the last thing you want to do when your stomach is aching, but heading out for a run can boost endorphins that make the mind and gut feel better.

Hair Loss:

Roughly three to six months after a majorly stressful event, like getting axed from a job or ending a big relationship, you might notice more hair on your brush or in the drain than usual (shedding around 100 strands a day is normal). Super-high levels of sex hormones called androgens, which zoom up during stress, could mess with hair follicles to prompt temporary hair loss, says Roberta Sengelmann, M.D., a dermatologist in Santa Barbara, California.

There's no one food or supplement that's proven to restore your locks, but eating a balanced diet can help cell growth and healing.

Eyelid Twitching:

These annoying muscle spasms typically occur around one eye and last for a few minutes. Stress is one of their most common causes, though doctors aren't quite sure why.

When a twitch strikes, close your eyes, try to relax, and breathe deeply. Inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, then exhale for eight seconds. Repeat this four times while using a fingertip to put mild pressure on the lid that's twitching.

Over-the-counter artificial tears can also help ease the spasms, which dry eyes can exacerbate, says Anne Sumers, M.D., of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. If the twitching spreads to other parts of your face, see a physician—it could be a more serious type of spasm.

Stress can short-circuit your immune system, causing dormant skin issues to act up.

Acne:

Just like your hair, your skin is sensitive to those higher-than-normal androgens, which can bring on breakouts, says Sengelmann. Talk to your dermatologist if your zits keep coming back—the chronic inflammation can lead to scarring. (As hard as it is, resist the urge to pop the suckers, which only adds to the inflammation. And you're more likely to end up with scarring when you're stressed and your body's ability to heal isn't at its peak.)

Oral and topical prescription meds, as well as certain soaps, can help unplug pores and wipe out the bacteria that cause acne. Your dermatologist might also suggest you go on birth control, or switch up what you're already on, to balance out your hormones. And be sure to stick to noncomedogenic (i.e., non-pore-clogging) makeup, moisturizers, and sunscreen.

Back Pain:

The hormones your body pumps out when you're stressed produce a fight-or-flight response, which—along with raising your blood pressure and heart rate—tightens up your muscles. "If you're trying to outrun a predator, that's good," says Joanne Borg-Stein, M.D., of Harvard's Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. "But if it's all the time, that sort of chronic stress response can lead to pain." Plus, muscle aches are par for the course if you're hunched over at your desk all day worrying about deadlines.

Movement is the best remedy, so if your back is in knots, stand up every hour and do some stretches, such as reaching your arms over your head, touching your toes, and rolling your neck and shoulders. Also try to get in a 10- to 15-minute walk around the office or outside once or twice a day.

Rashes:

Stress can bring on mysterious rashes or flare-ups of preexisting conditions. That's because it can throw your immune system—not to mention your skin's defenses—out of whack. When these are lowered, you could become susceptible to rash-causing skin infections caused by staph. On the flip side, if your immunity goes into overdrive, your skin will become more sensitive, making a dormant issue like eczema act up.

In either case, bland emollients, including gentle OTC moisturizers, can help you heal. "If that doesn't help, or if the rash is accompanied by a fever or other flu-like symptoms—chills, sweating—see your doctor right away," advises Sengelmann.

Ya right, I'm going to run when I have diarrhea?! These doctors are stressing me out! Remember to take time for yourself & relax. And if you see me with my eyelid twitching remind me that 4 Kids + Moving = Good Times. I love this vintage add I found about moving,  "Beer Belongs - Enjoy It".

xoxo,

Mrs. Montgomery

Staying Medicated & Happy Like...

Friending

Lifechurch has a new series. Before you stop reading this post because I mention church hear me out. While we may not agree on God, church, religion we can agree on friends, friendship friending. Go & watch the first segment of this series on line at this link - Friending.  I learned some things from this message.  Craig Groeschel points out that if you show him your friends, he'll show you your future. List your 5 closest friends. You are the average of these five. What do your friends bring into your life? Support, wisdom, joy or negative, drama, pain. A friend is someone who loves you at all times, through the good & bad they lift you up. They also love you enough to call you out on your crap.

Do you even have 5 close friends? The average person today has 1 or 2 close friends due to work hours, divorce rates & social media. Believe it or not all your Facebook friends are not close friends as it says. Social media should be supplementing your friendships not replacing them in your life.

We must rediscover the lost art of friendship. Did you know a new study shows that most people have a "phone phobia". Yes, that's what I thought. People don't want to answer the phone anymore due to not being able to control the conversation like in texting or email. People don't know the art of conversation anymore. They also don't know how to close out a call. Think about it.

We must be present, get open or transparent to our friends. Stop developing your on-line image & develop true friends. We may impress people with our strength, we connect through our weaknesses. Be real people.

We are not created to be alone. Go be a friend today. 

xoxo, Mrs. Montgomery Not Friending Like...

Back to School Checklist for Moms

Kids aren’t the only ones who have to adjust to heading back to school—moms have to adjust too. Check out a "checklist" I compiled from various sources so that you can help your child—and you—have a great school year.
Talk with your child about any anxieties they may have, how to make friends & goals for their school year. Here is some conversation starters for you & your kiddos.

Make a special treat for their lunchbox, after school or after dinner. Celebrate the new beginning. And while celebrating ask them about their day; did they make any new friends, how is their teacher, what was their favorite part of school? My favorite treat is a local cookie shop. They make cookies in the shape of our school mascot & other adorable shapes. So fun AND yummy!

Reach out to your children's teacher. Let them know the best way to reach you & that you are excited about the school year. A little first day treat never hurts either. A little kindness goes a long way.

Stop by 6 Happy Hearts  for a Mom's 1st Day of School Prayer. Here's to a wonderful school year for our children AND moms.
xoxo, Mrs. Montgomery Sending my kids off to school like...

Tips for Surviving a Family Vacation

So I'm planning a quick get away for the family. What happened to the days of throwing a bikini in a bag & hitting the road? Oh I know, 4 kids, a husband, a business & a dog made those days disappear.  I Googled tips on family vacation survival. Here is what I learned:
Take lots of food.   For when kids {and adults} get hungry they get cranky. It's called "hangry" people.

Take time to exercise.  Bwahahahahaha.

Recognize your child's limits.  Hey, forgot to add, "and your husband's limitations".

Take lots of pics of happy memories.

Yes, like this lovely example from last Christmas with my precious children. Such sweet memories.

Embrace technology.

We had to count cows on road trips when I was kid. I don't want to be without my technology on the road. Why not let the kids enjoy a movie, game, app or text while driving countless hours down the road.

Perhaps the most important tip for planning a family vacation is to remember to enjoy the moment. Especially given the technology today. It makes it hard to put down the phone to take a pic, which requires editing, before posting on the 5 different social media sites. Vacay means taking a break from our normal routine to have fun, relax, enjoy the moment. With that said, I need a vacay from my vacay.

xoxo, Mrs. Montgomery Summer Traveling Like...

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

As we prepare all our food, deserts, party favors & cute outfits let's remember what this holiday is all about. Sing along with me...

The Star-Spangled Banner

  by Francis Scott Key

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,   

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?   
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,   
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;   
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;   
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave   
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?   
   


On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,   
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,   
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?   
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,   
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;   
'Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!   

   
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore   
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion   
A home and a country should leave us no more?   
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. 
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,   
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave;   
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave   
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!   
   

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand 
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!   
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land,   
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.   
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.   
And this be our motto— "In God is our trust; " 
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave   
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

xoxo, Mrs. Montgomery Thanking our Military Men & Women Like...

Baseball Mom Life in Pictures

xoxo- Mrs. Montgomery Following Baseball Teams Like...

We Went Out Last (Friday) Night.

Seems like every time I get out I'm in the middle of a Kenny Chesney video.  There is a whole lot of weirdness going on out there.   And I love it.

Mrs. Albright, Mrs. Montgomery and I headed out with a gaggle of girlfriends to listen to one of our favorite bands and do a little boogie-ing.  I won't lie and pretend I wasn't looking for something to report.  As far as I am concerned, we found success. Here's a little recap. You just can't make this stuff up. 1.  I learned that Mrs. Montgomery likes the macho, gangsta look.  I personally thought the Beastie Boys pulled it off but it has been unpopular ever since.  Before you go thinking a married woman was chasing down young men on the dance floor, don't.  She was scoping out for a few of the single ladies with us. 2. I would like to personally thank the woman who followed me to the bathroom to ask my age.  Because of the language barrier it took some time to figure out what she wanted.  Alas, I am not up for entertaining her 20-something year old cousin who is coming to town soon.   True story. 3. If you have a stain on the crotch of your pants, please stand in front of the bathroom dryer until it goes away or go home and change.  If you do not, you will be have a new name - Captain Peepants.   4. If you are a true friend, you will NOT abandon your girlfriend on the dance floor with Captain Peepants.  It was a mass exodus.  I turned around and they were running.   Joke is on them because they missed some of the best dance floor laughs, including #10 on the list. 5. I do not understand these youngsters and their dance floor grinding trains.  It is wrong on so many levels.   Just say no. 6. The dance floor is a safety zone from all the wrongs in the world.  No fighting, please.  This is our happy place.

7. If I'm not at Chippendale's (and I'm never there), then I am not looking for a lap dance.  Same goes for Mrs. Albright who was offered one and never given the chance to say, "No, thank you."   8. If you are 50+ -- you are to old to offer up that lap dance.  I don't care how good you are at dancing or if you work out at the gym every day.   (Side note: that pillar by the dance floor is not a dancing pole) 9. I am in my 40s.  Why, oh WHY, would any 20-something think I need his full attention?  Just because I'm dancing doesn't make me a cougar.  And he already noted the wedding ring.  I've renamed Captain Peepants to YoYo.  He goes away, but he kept returning. 10. If someone rubs their butt against yours on the dance floor, you should always turn around and see who it is.  ALWAYS.  Guess what, Peepants/YoYo?  That wasn't me.  It was gracious of you to thank me for it, though.  If you had bothered to look, you would have seen a skinny 60-something white man shaking it for you. Does this sound like your average night out? Maybe you go to the wrong places. Or is that me?

*Mrs. Priss*



...who likes to get out and boogie.

Finding Your Mojo

With summer here I seem to have lost my spark, my inspiration, my motivation. Between the kids home from school, summer camps, poolside days  & patio nights I have no idea how to get back on track. After some extensive research {ie. Google} I thought I would share what I have learned.
Phone a friend - don't call Debbie Downer call Happy Hannah. Call that friend that will cheer you on, give you sage advice, someone who will get you going & pump you up. Hannah, I'm calling you after this post. 

Get Out - Do something physical. Dance, play tennis, walk, swim, whatever. Get up from your chair, couch, bed & go out. It's good for your stress, hormones, mood & life. 

Train Your Brain - Negative thoughts breed a negative life. When you mind goes down that rabbit hole you  have to capture those thoughts & replace them with positive ones as many times as needed. Read motivational quotes or books, watch uplifting movies, read the Bible, listen to great music - whatever you can do to retrain your brain.

Just Do It - If there is one thing you keep going back to or get stuck on, just do it. For me, I keep passing  this pile of giveaway clothes in the corner. It's time to put them in the car & deliver or put them out to be picked up. That pile is stuck energy & it must be moved! Enough if it's not your best work, just start the job & get it done. You will be able to move on & relieved it is over.

So what do you do when you're missing your mojo, in need of motivation or in a funk? I'm looking for "Happy Hannahs" to share their sage wisdom with me.
xoxo, Mrs. Montgomery Looking for my Mojo Like...