Not Sleeping

[Cross-stitch gal]

I've been having a horrible time getting enough sleep lately because of stress at work. There is so much doom and gloom because our store sales haven't done well for a long time and management constantly reminds us of it every day which doesn't help any of us employees. Sad part is that they hired a bunch of seasonal workers even though supposedly we don't have the hours to give anyone and it's effecting everyone physically and mentally.

It's been so bad too that my hours have been the bare minimum that I've been worried about getting enough hours for my health insurance. Plus, there have been nights this past week that I've had stomach pain from all that stress. I come home very wound up and have a horrible time settling down. I'm just so exhausted. :ybatty:

Here's hoping things are better for the rest of you.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Ugh sorry. Would a heated blanket at night help ease the pain and assist you in sleeping? Have you tried melatonin or essential oils like lavender to help? When im very anxious I pop a klonopin to goto bed.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Thanks. Thankfully the pain goes away by the time I get home and just seems to happen at work. I've tried melatonin once and it did the opposite effect on me, I'm afraid. I have taken a sleep aid or nyquil before. However, the nights when it's been so bad at work neither seem to have any effect on me.

Found this great stuff by earththeraputics. It's called: Elixir of Dreams Pillow Mist and has lavender in it. You can see what it is better on www.earththerapeutics.com. Sometimes this stuff helps me a bit...

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Hi Cross-stitch, I'm so sorry to hear that you're so stressed! You work in retail, right? That's got to be sort of awful during the holidays even during the best of times. Hopefully things get a little easier once the holidays are over with. As for sleeping and stress-relief, have you tried things like meditation or gentle yoga? You don't need to work up a sweat or anything, but doing something like that to consciously relax your body could help. Even just doing some deep breathing exercises can really help me sometimes. Hang in there, hopefully things will get better at work soon! Big hugs!

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Yup, good old fashioned retail! I've tried transferring, but haven't gotten any bites. However, I know people elsewhere who would love to swipe me up. Just have to wait till the new year for that to happen because they don't have any openings until then. So, am holding on the best I can till the time comes.

Done lots of cuddling with my husband lately and that helps with some of the destressing.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I hope the new year brings some good changes for you! The people looking to scoop you up into new job openings, are those all retail jobs as well? Whatever you end up doing, I hope you enjoy it and have less stress.

(My hubby works retail as well so I have some second-hand understanding of how frustrating and stressful that line of work can be! But, he works in a small independent shop rather than a big corporate store, so besides the boss/owner he is the only employee and he actually really likes his job - so if you can find a job in a smaller independent or locally-owned type of store, that might be a good transition for you. Just another thought!)

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Yeah cross, I've had the same problem with melatonin but I assumed I was an anomaly. It sounds like you have a few tricks up your sleeve though. Also if you have a anxiety medication like a benzo can help calm the nervous system and make for better sleep.

 

[FrozenGirl]

Aww I'm sorry. I work in retail and fully know the pain of cutting hours when newbies are hired. My manager says it is because people took to much time off but then those of us who didn't ask for time off ( I asked for one day in December for my remicade) still get hours slashed. Just when you really need the money too being constantly sleep deprived sucks. When I was first diagnosed and any time I am on school plus working I end up being so grumpy and I just want to cry all the time. No real advice, just sympathy and understanding.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Thanks guy & gals! It's always so comforting being able to come on here and talk with everyone!!! :ghug: Thankfully, now I'm officially on my weekend! :ybiggrin:

Cat, yes this other place is also a retail place. But, it's more of a higher end establishment, people have to have membership to shop there and it's got a union. Some of my former coworkers work there as well and they seem so much happier! I am glad though that your hubby seems to enjoy where he's at for the most part! Oh the stories we could swap!!!

No, noguts you're not alone with the melatonin. I do think anxiety meds would be a last resort for me though. I'd rather not take more meds than I have to!

Frozen, I sure do hope you're getting the hours you're needing. I understand wanting to cry. At one point this last week I admitted at one point that I wasn't sure which would take less energy, passing out or crying!!! So, I definitely know where you're coming from!

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Thankfully, I've been sleeping again the last few nights. However, now I find myself extremely tired all the time. Yesterday I was told by my manager that hours are so bad at work that there will be times that I won't be able to even get 24 hours a week. What I need for my medical insurance is 25 each week or 100 hours a month.

What makes me so frusterated about this is that I'm seniority over everyone on the closing shift and she hasn't gotten rid of any of the seasonal employees yet. Plus, if we're so short on hours I figure we shouldn't have even hired the seasonal ones in the first place. So, I'm hoping to talk to another HR on my weekend to see what help I can get. In the meantime, I'm on flare watch. :ybatty:

 

[FrozenGirl]

Oh good sleep is important and make for a happier time. Retail is so frustrating. Where I work we hire people but not seasonally then after the holidays we have way too many people and then my manager gives hours to new people so they don't quit. Totally forget retaining senior employees. Grr

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Yeah, that sounds about right Frozen. After months of dealing with this, I finally got some sort of truth from my manager. Sounds like all of our stores are down on sales, but our store is the worst. I just wish if they can't get me enough hours for my medical that they'd transfer me to a different store in the area rather than just letting me hang.

 

[FrozenGirl]

aww. Well maybe they will soon. Or give you the hours you need.

 

[my little penguin]

Few things
Melatonin is not reccomended for anyone with crohns since It boost the immune system.
Magnesium has a relaxing effect and can sometimes help with sleep.
Ds takes chelated magnesium ( for migraine prevention) so it does not irrate his Gi tract .
Benzo -anti anxiety meds can be very addictive ( a week or more of use ).

Visualization if your favorite things ( places smells people etc) plus muscle relaxation techniques can help - easier to practice those throughout the day so they are easier to jump into at night
Good luck