Brain Overload
photo by gibson claire mcguire regester
You think you can do whatever to your brain and it’ll just take it. You’d be wrong. I found out the hard way.
I’m no stranger to headaches. I get my constant brain tremors from my mother (thanks, mom) who is also dear, close friends with Excedrin. And yes I called them brain tremors. It’s the most honest description I’ve got, mkay?
But on Wednesday I was assaulted somewhere between my hypothalamus and medulla oblongata. (And, yes, I did just want to write medulla oblongata. It’s got to the best body part.) My brain was revolting. Bigtime.
To be honest, I kind of deserved it. I have been staring at a lit-up screen for 11 hours a day—long enough for my ears to forget the machine even made a hum. It was like air: unnoticeable until it was gone.
So my brain put it’s metaphorical foot down. Though it didn’t feel metaphorical. It felt like it stomped its foot right into my grey matter. I could barely open my eyes, but if I did—to, you know, avoid walking into walls—I was pierced with a million little knives. Straight through the eyes.
I’m not sure if it was a normal migraine (mine are usually more like mini strokes) or just a massive, awful, killer headache, but it was bad. And it hung on Thursday, too.
Then I did something so unlike me. I took a sick day. I never take a sick day. I’ll pretty much go to work no matter how deathly I feel because of the massive guilt I get from taking a sick day. (I did, however, take off back in 2008 when I puked in a box in The Man’s car on the way to work. Sorry for that image.)
You know what? It’s just what I needed: A day away from the computer and the eye strain that comes with it. A day to sleep in and let my eyes rest. A day to force my head to stop pounding and pounding and pounding.
Which leads me to a Yoda-like tip as you head out on your weekend:
Overloaded, most of our brains are.
May you enjoy a weekend of brain rest and relaxation. Do something outside. Read a book. Visit with friends. We spend so much of our lives perched in front of the computer, why not take a break?
I’m doing just that. The Man and I have a fun weekend planned. Expect a recap next week. Until then, over and out.
What are your weekend plans?
20 comments
You know, I actually don’t have any plans yet for the weekend… That’s so unlike me. Maybe I’ll be crazy and actually be spontaneous this weekend!
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Every time I hear the word “medulla oblongata” I think of the movie “Water Boy”
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Tracey Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Me too, which is why I wanted to work it into my post. I like to play games with myself like that because I’m a dweeb.
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This reminds me I need to relax… but exams are right around the corner and I have been procrastinating for the last two weeks. I am so behind on my studying… on one side I know I need to relax, but on the other hand it’s totally CRUNCH TIME! I guess I have to make a plan now… sigh.
Wei-Wei
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We are hitting the road. I usually try to avoid crowds and such, but apparently I had a mini-storke of my own when I made our travel plans, because it completely slipped my mind that it would be Memorial Day weekend. Oh, well. At least we’re going to our lakehouse where it is guaranteed quiet for at least the next 7 days.
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Everyone need a sick day now and then! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!!
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I am making it a “goal” to have 1-2 days computer-free a week. I am going to take it one week at a time…one day…then the next week 2 days, etc…then I think over time I will be away from the computer and not care (its hard now cause my job search and stuff all requires the computer)…but going Cold-turkey will be big. The computer really gets on my nerves sometimes!
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Tracey Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 10:08 am
If my Internet connection timed out every five minutes, I’d be annoyed, too. I’m surprised you haven’t thrown your computer across the room yet.
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Relax and take it easy are on our agendas for this weekend too! Have a great one.
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AGREED.
People need to get AWAY from the computer. They think it’s a “good” thing in their life…it’s NOT. And many times it’s the thing that’s holding them back from that thing called life and living.
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I am heading north to run a marathon. Enjoy your weekend!
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Tracey Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Good luck!!
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i’m the same way about sick days. i always feel guilty taking them, but they are there for a reason!
enjoy your fun weekend! we’re going camping & i can’t wait to get out in the woods!
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I am sorry to hear you had a wicked headache! That is no fun!
I actually had my headaches go away when I paid attention to how much water I was consuming a day! Dehydration was so the cause for me!
I used to feel the same way about sick days when I had a j.ob….now I just answer to myself if I feel the guilt!
But remember your body is telling you to slow down….so enjoy the day off. Your allowed.
XXOO
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That picture at the top of your post made me smile.
There are few things better than reading outside like that on a warm summer afternoon!
Hope you feel better soon!
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I’m sorry to hear youre not feeling well. I hope it gets better soon.
I can’t take days away from the computer at this point in my life (as much as I would like to take a break from my hours of research) but I’m trying to limit the amount of time I spend just staring at the screen, doing nothing productive…reading blogs or wasting time. It gives me headaches sometimes too. Or I just get headaches from life in general. One of the two.
Try to enjoy your weekend. I think its a long one for you, so I hope that gives you time to rest up.
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Oh you are kidding. I have a piercing headache in the exact same spot right now. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a headache like this before. I am going to a bachelorette party this weekend!
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give your brain a rest! I hope you put some cucumbers on your eyes, prop your feet up, and take a deep breath!
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That’s awesome that you listened to your body- it’s strange how HARD it can be to take a sick day and truly REST!
I hope you had a really great weekend (headache-free!)
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Oh dear. The brain tremors sounded awful, just awful. I’m so thankful that I don’t experience migraines. I’m sorry to hear that it knocked you sideways like that. You definitely deserved a day off. Sometimes that is the only medicine that really kicks it- rest and TLC.
I have just been doing work and going to the movies this weekend- nothing too crazy. Hope you enjoyed yourself, Tracey. You deserve it!
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