Give me healthy advice-the klonopin use is increasing

Hello Everyone,

I need some quick fixes. My job is so stressful that I have begun adding an extra klonopin tablet (0.5) to my afternoons. I already take two at night and one in the morning. I don't want my functional life to be dependent upon benzos, so I need some quick calming suggestions to get me through the day.

Here is what I deal with daily. I have a class of fifth graders (10-12 yrs.) who are from very low socioeconomic means. Eighty percent of my class are on free or reduced lunch. I deal with a population who, without intervention, may become gang members-9 Hispanic, 8 African American, and 3 Caucasion. All of these things against them, does not mean that they do not have much love at home, these parents just need help in keeping them on the right path.

Back to me and benzos. I feel so stressed daily to help my kids succeed academically and socially. It is such a stressful situation that I find that the morning klonopin is not enough. After lunch, I have been taking another dose.

What I am asking for is suggestions for natural quick ways that may relieve my stress instead of depending on afternoon drugs. I know that there are several of you who are able to depend on natural resources to be healthy.

Thanks,
Bluemountains

My T told me to breath in and focus on how the air "feels" going into your lungs.. I thought he was nuts .. But I trust him completly and tried it .. It works with in a breathe or two... It took me about 10 breathes the first few tries to focus and bam! my anxiety level dropped within seconds.

Sounds looney , I know , But worth a try

I think your students are so lucky to have you

I like Christina's advice, I've been using it and it helps. Also some quick yoga that gets me deep breathing seems to help. I wonder if you could get the kids to do yoga or breathing or meditation with you as part of afternoon routine. Some teachers I've found do that here. Coping with stress and inward reflection should be part of public education , I wish... Hope you find a good way without increasing benzos, good for you

I third the breathing suggestion. There is an Aneroid app called pranayama lite. I find that the type of breathing on it really helps when I have anxiety.

Thanks, friends! Breathing exercises are something I always forget. I get too caught up in the quick pace of work. Too much to cover, too little time!
The thing I notice with klonopin is that I feel extra anxious when it wears off. I think that this must be the draw for benzos, the relaxed feeling followed by the stress inside.
I am going to check out the app, too, gaia.
Personally, I do my best breathing when I am outside, walking, but our weather is so awful that I can't enjoy this experience. It is not supposed to be below freezing and always rainy at this time of year in the south!
Bluemountains

Mindfulness Blue, staying in the now and only right now...each second. It is an ecellent way to not become stressed, anxious, depressed or otherwise. It can also include the breathing which is excellent. More oxygen and blood flow, and bringing your attention to now is no wonder why it works. And we do forget about the breath because we don't have to think about breathing or pay it attention, which is natural but it is so important. I have learned to check in on the breath especially when I start feeling stressed and see what it is up to, usually it is also going a little haywire, same as the mind..where is it? What is it gettong up to? And where do I want it? It can really help to make a practise of just checking in to see what these two are doing.

What I found most helpful was learning to use mindfulness all the the not just when I was having stress or just during a time of meditation. If you keep practicing being mindful throught the day it becomes a new way of approaching life.

I hope that might help..if you want Jon Kabat Zinn has really good videos on youtube that can help a lot. Its something we can do anytime.

With the breath too it is helpful to just sit or lay comfortably and just drop in on the breathing. Focus on the in and out breath and the feeling of the chest rising wnd falling but without manipulating or controlling the breathing. Just paying attention, your body does the rest. Try that for five min, when you mind wanders off just bring it back to the breath. It's very calming and bring your focus to the each moment.

There are so many good breathing exersices..pranayama if you google that you will find a lot of helpful exersices to try and see what works for you. I am going to check out that app as well..sounds good. Also check you tube. I find watching someone else do it really helps where as if I read the steps it can be a bit confusing.

Also there are a lot of easy yoga postures that do not take a lot of time and can quickly calm you and relieve stress. Here is a link that also has pictures and explanations if you want to give it a shot. Honestly you can even go to an empty space or drop and do a quick posture even at school to help calm you when the kids are on recess or your lunch break. It really does help. http://halogentv.com/articles/10-yoga-poses-to-fight-depression-and-anxiety/ qgain if you try the poses make sure you are breathing, if breathing becomes hard then back off a little to wear the breathing is comfortable.

Another one is makeing each breath slower..so inhale and exhale 3 seconds, next breath 4 seconds, 5 seconds etc. That is a good way to bring the breath back to a relaxed state if you notice the breath is too fast.

I hope you find some ways that help to relieve your stress.
Just fourthing all the great suggestions

Hello Bluemountains

It sounds as though you are a very dedicated teacher. Throughout my teaching career I dealt with my special education students and obviously found it very challenging, stressful, and rewarding. I am on Klonopin and struggled with the same problem. Some suggestions: take a brisk walk when ever you get a break, take a moment to pause and think what you are doing, and most of constantly remind yourself that you are not the factor in your students' lives and making yourself more stressed is not helping you. Teaching is a for very noble and dedicated individuals

Thanks, Anika! I know how experienced you are with yoga, and I appreciate the site you listed. I will also check out the you tube videos.
Even though it is Saturday, I have been practicing with focus on my breathing all day. I took a walk along a stream, and I feel like I am getting centered again.
Bluemountains