Health Anxiety

Following the recent unexpected and premature delivery of my baby, I have developed high blood pressure, was put on medication for this and monitored in hospital a a result. Following my discharge I am required to monitor my blood pressure daily at home. I am under lots of daily pressure as my baby is on the neonatal unit in hospital still, and I’m visiting her every day. I am becoming highly anxious about taking my blood pressure, and as a result of being in an unregulated state, am getting very high readings.
I am asking for help for some more helpful thoughts around this as I feel very overwhelmed and unsure how to manage
I’ve had a go at an unintentional model but am struggling with the intentional one
C – i take my blood pressure
T – my blood pressure will be high. I will be readmitted to hospital.
A – heart rate increases, panic, thoughts spiral
R – my blood pressure is high
C – i take my blood pressure
T – my body is healing after having my baby
A – love and compassion towards myself, breathe relax release
R – my body will heal
Thank you

Answer:

Thank you for bringing this here.  Often when our intentional models feel unaccessible to us, it’s because it is too big of a leap to make from where we are. If having the thought, “My body is healing after having my baby” is the ultimate goal for how you’d like to think about taking your blood pressure, what are some thoughts that could help you get there? Try some of these on, and create some of your own that feel accessible to you…
“This is feedback.”
“It’s possible that this is temporary.”
“Of course I feel this way.”
“I can love myself even when…”
“I wonder…”
“I’m learning…”
“I am open to accepting…”
Notice whether any of these thoughts create relief, understanding, compassion, acceptance, love or any other good-feeling feeling in your body. In the mean time, please watch the Somatics with Victoria Albina webinar in the Bonuses section. She shares so many accessible tools to help regulate your nervous system.
Be gentle with yourself. Imagine the younger version of you feeling anxiety and struggling and how you would respond to her – allow yourself to feel that same love. We are sending you and your babe so much love. Come back when you’re ready for more coaching