[Sunny]

Eating well is the first defence. If appetite is low, try soups, protein shakes, smoothies - prioritise protein and fruits and veg. I lost muscle through the MLC diet and still rebuilding now. Any weight lost will not just be fat.

Rest, rest, rest. I still need more sleep than prior MLC, though getting back to normal. If you're tired, rest. Delegate, prioritise. Don't be a hero, ask for help! If people offer, take them up on it. Often people do want to help but don't know what would be of most benefit to you. And yet we don't ask. Exhaustion is your body's way of saying stop, you're working too hard. Simplify your life where possible.

5htp is my go to supplement for sleep. Magnesium and vitamin D are important. I meditate, do yoga, and walk daily with the dog, usually in a park or nature reserve. I also don't watch much telly, especially not the news. I love myself and prioritise what makes me happy and healthy.

[in it]

SIMPLIFY is a biggie!! Saying no, setting clear boundaries, and asking for help put me out of my comfort zone.

But I'm learning.

SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU NEED TO.

[patience.of.a.saint]

Here's my list of things that help me:

Water...take body weight/2 and that number is the amount you should drink in ounces...add on if you drink caffeine. (I am trying not to drink the caffeine, but seem to need it once or twice a week.)

3 magnesium glycinate each night before bed...I sleep like a ROCK!

Homemade magnesium lotion...rubbed on my back, knees & elbows...wake up with no aches. Google the recipe...it's SUPER easy to make.

Coconut oil...use as face lotion...smells so good and makes your skin feel amazing!

Iron...get levels checked first

Sunshine...I try to sit in a sunny spot several times a day.

Vitex...just ordered this to balance hormones so not sure how it will be yet, but so far nothing bad has happened. lol I've only taken them a week.

I am also looking into adding iodine drops to my water, as I have read that can help the hormones also. I don't like to start more than one thing at a time though, so still researching that one.

Waiting for it to be nice outside so we can go hiking and for walks.

[MyBrainIsBroken]

Don't stay up until 2am reading THS like I am tonight.

5 grams of melatonin with a Xanax chaser worked pretty well last night. I take the Xanax every other night so that I don't build up a tolerance to it.

If you wake up during the night just lay there for a while. Sometimes you can fall back to sleep.

Don't marry somebody who will one day have an MLC.

[Picton]

Vitamin B complex (B12), St Johns Wart, the odd sleeping tablet (when things become unbearable)

When it comes to food I eat what I feel like at the time - I believe my body craves what I need. I also eat when I want - didn't get to hung up on set meal times.

Exercise is a must - but outside where possible. Rug up if weather isn't nice. I live near water and I find it to be soothing. Just sitting looking at the water is my form of meditation.

Every day I look for something naturally beautiful - take the time to appreciate what an amazing world we live in.

Kia Kaha - Stay Strong

[bookwrmmom]

Thanks so much everyone! I think these tips are awesome for those of us that have been at this a while, but more importantly for the newbies too. I almost got VERY sick in the days after BD (likely the same for my of us). I know  am prob eating a bit too much junk, and not enough protein. That is not a good habit for me to continue. It has been difficult on the days I work 14 hours because when I get home at 10 pm I want something, but not anything I have to work for. Plus it is not good to eat that late at night. I am not gaining weight, but haven't lost the 7-8 pounds I wanted to loose from the holidays & first of the year.
So many great ideas and I cannot wait to start using some of them!

[Seekingpatience]

I find that I have now become more able to say NO to things I don t want to do. After BD, I needed to prioritize. I didn't accept responsibilities or duties from family, extended family or friends that I could not handle. Or just did not feel  like doing.

It was hard at first because I had become the " she'll take care of it" person. I allowed this to happen. Now I find it liberating to say " Sorry, I need to do XX . How about ( a time more suited to my activities ) " also I have cut down on multi-tasking which left me distracted and having a constant heightened tension. One task at a time gave me a sense of accomplishment and feel less exhausted when trying to tackle the next thing.

This has allowed me to find the "me-time" needed to stare into space, listen to music and being mentally more relaxed.  That in turn helped me become more ohysically relaxed. I hadn't realized how close to my ears my shoulders had become. LOL!

[Thunder]

Piction, does St John's Wart really work?  My H bought some (he doesn't know I know) and some other kind of mood calming over the counter pill and I'm not sure but I THINK my X is better.  His depression seems to be better.  Not sure it's from the pills or not.  I never believed in those mood altering pills.

MyBrain, you made me laugh!  Don't marry someone who will one day have MLC.  LOL!!!  Too funny.

I guess what worked the best for me was walking outside every day. Vitamin B12 and D.
AND... a whole lot of time.

[Picton]

Hey Thunder - I found the compo of Vitamin B and St Johns Wart worked well. My Dr told me that Prozac was St Johns Wart with chemicals added to it. She said that it worked well for people that were depressed but their depression wasn't clinical. But I did wonder how much of it was a placebo "effect".
I was so desperate post BD - that I would have tried anything

The other thing that I think worked almost better than anything was weekly massages - soothing for both body and mind!

But you are so right - time has been the best cure for exhaustion. It still amazes me what our mind and body can tolerate and sustain. All kinds of crazzzzzy!

Kia  Kaha - Stay Strong

[bookwrmmom]

So yesterday I went and bought Magnesium Citrate, B12, and calcium. I should have been taking calcium all along since my surgery, but I slacked off. Same with the B12. Magnesium is a new one that I have had others recommend, and some that I know that use it. I took two yesterday since I bought them midday (calls for 3 a day with each meal). I slept really well last night. I am not sure that taking a small amount of these had a thing to do with it or that I was just tired. Doesn't matter though because it was a good sleep. I will keep everyone posted on how it goes adding theses to my daily vitamin regimen.