cookies no wonder you have neck pain. I carry my stress in my neck and it can really paralyze me.
You have a ton on your plate and I wish I knew how to help you.
Just know that stress wrecks havoc with our immune system. Being a nurse you have seen blood pressure raise when an injection was going to be administered. You know stress alters our bodies.
Here is an easy breathing exercise -
/vimeo.com/105271298Another technique I use is singing or humming. It is extremely hard to be uptight, angry or cry when you are humming or singing. It can also distract you from pain. When I am in traffic and some turkey butt does something stupid, I sing. Sometimes the only songs that come to mind are silly or strange, but that deep breath and belt out a song sure helps get me into another place.
I also give you permission to not be wonderwoman! It is okay to not do it all and to take a break.
I had a hard time with this. Type A, perfectionist and a neat freak. I had to let go and love my health more than all of the other "stuff." And, it is just stuff. I had to learn to say NO also. No, I can't go to your birthday drinking party. No, I cannot cook a dish for the luncheon. No, I cannot help on your fund raiser for the fire fighters. For my own health I had to change my ways.