Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,547
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Sept 9, 2022 15:41:36 GMT
thanks for responding, everyone. I had a crazy day yesterday and haven't had a chance to get back to this. I will read and respond some more!
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,547
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Sept 9, 2022 15:45:09 GMT
Yoga - even just a restorative practice really focusing on the breath - is helpful for me. I really want to do yoga. I have tried a few times on my own, but I never stick with it. I think I need to start out with classes to get into it. I belong to Club Fitness, and they do classes a couple of times a week, and I have been trying to talk myself into going. There is also a yoga place not far from me, but it's so expensive. I've been thinking of doing classes at Club Fitness for a while, and if I love it, joining the yoga place. In the last few years, I realized I was a very anxious child, but I kept it hidden. Looking back, and now knowing what anxiety is, I am pretty sure I've had it my entire life and didn't know it.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,547
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Sept 9, 2022 15:50:56 GMT
I might have to get an eye mask and try something like that. One thing a past counselor suggested is something I do occasionally; not for anxiety, exactly, but to help relax- laying down on the FLOOR. She said that even if you lay on the bed, etc., that gravity is still 'pulling' on you so being directly on the floor is better because you're more 'connected' if that makes any sense. I don't know exactly how/why, but I do know that I can relax my entire body better on the floor (as long as the dogs aren't around, that is- lol). I have heard that before but I've never tried it. I will try that, as it seems like an easy thing to try. Although getting back up might not be so easy... I have severe anxiety and I do take meds for it but honestly smoking pot is what helps the most. I smoke before bed and it calms the squirrels in my head so I don't stay up thinking all night. I once at a pot gummy, and oooh boy. First of all, the person who gave it to me gave me something that was probably way too much for me. LOL It did NOT help...in fact, it made my anxiety about a million times worse. It's a story for a different time, but I was in Vegas with some family, and it was horrible, and my brother had to escort me in an Uber back to where I was staying and even walk me up to my room. Funny story now almost 3 years later, but it was HORRIBLE at the time. LOL I love to cook and bake and I especially love making homemade bread. But I am mostly home alone now, and don't cook much. And I sure don't need to eat a whole loaf of bread. LOL I do bare feet on the floor and breath deep while I concentrate on feeling my feet against the cold floor. Sometimes I do this on hardwood, sometimes I do it on the ceramic tile in my kitchen. If my anxiety is very bad or I feel a manic episode coming on, I do blind yoga. Basically, I put on my bluetooth eye mask and listen to reiki music while I stretch. It helps not being able to see anything and just concentrating on the sensations in my body. I love both of those ideas. A few years ago, I started meditating, and it did help, but I've gotten away from it. I need to start again.
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Post by bc2ca on Sept 9, 2022 19:51:32 GMT
My best tips have already been mentioned (meditation, yoga and walking). Another technique for me is to get to the beach and just listen to the waves. For others maybe listening to a waterfall or any moving water will have the same calming effect. Or into the woods/local park/gardens for a nature bath. One more that I haven't seen mentioned is a lavender bath. I suggested this to DD(25) a few months ago and it was really helpful for her to have a lavender bath before bed. No, I don't sell, use or promote any MLM essential oil brands. I told her to go to the baby aisle at the drug store and get whatever lavender bath product they have there and give it a try.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Sept 10, 2022 1:16:51 GMT
I exercise until I'm worn out and try to stay busy and active. Podcasts help because I'm listening to someone else's words instead of my thoughts. Cutting back on caffeine and sugar helps, too. I think what helps the most is journaling if anxiety is caused by worry or fear of some possible situation. If you start writing and keep writing you can get all those anxious thoughts out and then reread them and then decide which thoughts are reasonable and which ones aren't. It's really hard but in the moment it will help if you can identify which thoughts are setting you off. Ask yourself if they're true or if you're catastrophizing. Even if the thoughts are true ask yourself if you benefit by dwelling on them if it's something you can't control. If it's possible that it's due to a hormonal imbalance then hopefully your doctor can help you. I was doing this too until I couldn’t walk to the bathroom. My anxiety was pretty controlled then but I don’t have the motivation and GP kiboshed the 13,000 steps and said 5000 max and maybe less. Still the anti anxiety after a long, fast walk in our nature sanctuary is exhausting and an hour long if you walk fast. It helped my serotonin levels amazingly.
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Post by travelsoul on Sept 21, 2022 3:32:56 GMT
Yep. I had my first anxiety attack that sent me to the ER (didn’t know what was wrong with me) when I was 29. I’ve gone to the ER a couple times in my 30s and 40s for what I was told were good old anxiety attacks. Before resorting to Xanax, I try listening to music or crafting if I’m home and able to do that. I have a playlist of my most favorite songs associated with my most favorite memories in life and usually that does the trick.
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,762
Jun 19, 2022 16:48:04 GMT
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Post by pantsonfire on Sept 21, 2022 13:23:03 GMT
UGH Is there anything you do when you have an anxiety attack that helps calm your heart and mind? I play with the dogs, snuggle them, pet them, have them on my lap, and take them for a good walk. I do mixed media art. I just grab supplies and go at it. I put a cold wash cloth or small ice pack on my neck. Prep food - the rhythm of the cutting helps calm me as well as the smells. Talk with dh. Call my mom. Go for a photo walk. Slowing down and taking my time to capture a good shot as well as being outside helps. Baking. Again, focus on that. Anxiety sucks. I agree. My dd and I have different ways to help ourselves. I hope one of these suggestions can help you.
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834
Location: NW PA
Jun 25, 2014 23:50:38 GMT
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Post by Judy26 on Sept 21, 2022 14:41:25 GMT
Oh boy, do I! One thing that has helped greatly is an acupressure mat. They are inexpensive on Amazon. The pressure from the “needles” relax me and calm my anxiety better than anything else I’ve tried. It was a bit uncomfortable the first couple of times I used it but now I fall asleep. It was a Pea recommendation a few years ago and one of the reasons I’m so thankful for this group.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,547
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Sept 21, 2022 14:46:04 GMT
Thank you so much to everyone who has responded. I appreciate it so much. I'm sorry if I have missed replying to someone's post or liking something. But I am thankful to everyone who responded. The past 2-3 weeks have been some of the worst I've ever had anxiety wise. I was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago, after several really bad months of wondering what the HELL was wrong with me. I went 5 months back then. Thankfully, I know now what is wrong, but the past few weeks have been just as bad as it was back then, and I have really been struggling to even function some days. Mostly in the mornings. For some reason, they are the worst. Thankfully, I have a fantastic, supportive boss, and I can be open with her, and take a sick day if I need to. Part of my problem 3 years ago was I despised my boss. She was part of what ramped up the anxiety, and I didn't want her to know what was going on, so I kept it all to myself. It's been so helpful this time to be able to be honest with my coworkers and boss. But still, the past weeks have been absolutely AWFUL. All my usual tricks haven't been working. Yesterday and today so far have been better, so hopefully I am on the downside of it. For those of you on Instagram, I accidentally stumbled upon this account this morning, and I can't stop reading! I thought I knew all there was to know about anxiety, but reading some of her stuff has been eye opening. Like trouble swallowing. I had NO idea. More than once the past couple of weeks, I have wondered what the heck was happening as I sometimes felt like I was going to choke when I tried to swallow something. Anyway...maybe some of you will find this helpful: www.instagram.com/healingtheanxiousmind/
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,547
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Sept 21, 2022 14:51:21 GMT
Oh boy, do I! One thing that has helped greatly is an acupressure mat. They are inexpensive on Amazon. The pressure from the “needles” relax me and calm my anxiety better than anything else I’ve tried. It was a bit uncomfortable the first couple of times I used it but now I fall asleep. It was a Pea recommendation a few years ago and one of the reasons I’m so thankful for this group. The gal on IG that I just posted has something like that, but I wasn't clear what it is. I will check that out!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Sept 21, 2022 15:17:42 GMT
For those of you on Instagram, I accidentally stumbled upon this account this morning, and I can't stop reading! I thought I knew all there was to know about anxiety, but reading some of her stuff has been eye opening. Like trouble swallowing. I had NO idea. More than once the past couple of weeks, I have wondered what the heck was happening as I sometimes felt like I was going to choke when I tried to swallow something. ^^^ wow! I thought anxiety was just having a 'panic attack' but the stuff on this instagram account makes it even more clear to me that I have always had ongoing anxiety issues that have never really gone away. I am always realizing my muscles are tensed up, etc. and never knew that kind of thing is a symptom of anxiety. I will DEF be talking to my doctor about this when I finally have my yearly check up next month (unless they reschedule it again, ugh).
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,547
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Sept 21, 2022 15:25:21 GMT
wow! I thought anxiety was just having a 'panic attack' but the stuff on this instagram account makes it even more clear to me that I have always had ongoing anxiety issues that have never really gone away. I am always realizing my muscles are tensed up, etc. and never knew that kind of thing is a symptom of anxiety. I will DEF be talking to my doctor about this when I finally have my yearly check up next month (unless they reschedule it again, ugh). that is exactly how I felt when I was diagnosed. My thought had always been that anxiety meant you just worried too much. I have learned so much over the past few years. It's been very enlightening. I am quite sure I have had low grade anxiety my entire life. Something I read on her page this morning said something about rehearsing conversations in your head before they happen. I have literally done that my entire life, and I just thought everyone does that. I also didn't realize until recently that always thinking the absolute worst is going to happen is also common. I have always done that. Always. I could go on and on, but I won't. LOL I'll just say again how much anxiety sucks. Especially when it's extreme like mine has been lately. It's truly debilitating at times. I'm sorry that you deal with it, too!
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,547
Jun 26, 2014 1:20:09 GMT
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Post by Just T on Sept 21, 2022 15:29:20 GMT
My dd and I have different ways to help ourselves. I hope one of these suggestions can help you. Thank you so much. Some of those things have always helped me in the past. Especially the cooking/chopping part. LOL I haven't even been able to do that lately, though. First of all, I am mostly here by myself. Second, I have had absolutely ZERO appetite. I could probably list every thing I have eaten in the past 2 weeks because it's been so little. We will have a busy, stressful week at my office next week (getting ready for a HUGE event) and I decided this morning I am going to make a big pot of veggie soup and homemade bread to take on Monday. So Sunday will find me chopping and kneading. LOL I'm really looking forward to that. And so are my coworkers. LOL
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Sept 21, 2022 19:22:10 GMT
I chew my fingers until they bleed...that's how I manage, or don't, my anxiety. I also exercise a ton and I have to have either an audibook, podcast, or television show on at all times when I'm alone other wise my thoughts send me into panic mode. I've never been diagnosed, but when I was in therapy the psychiatrist I was seeing said he could tell I was an anxious person just by my body language. I've also had it since I was very young. I probably should've been medicated at a young age, but we didn't do that back in the 70s. I remember freaking out at night time that there was going to be a nuclear war or the night stalker (California in the 80s...iykyk) was going to sneak into my room and kill me....I was 8!!!!
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Post by KiwiJo on Sept 21, 2022 19:50:00 GMT
Yes I too have anxiety problems, particularly social anxiety. I just loved our covid lockdowns where we all had to stay home and not be with people. An anxious introvert’s dream come true! I have found Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to be useful - there’s lots of resources and free worksheets online. One of the parts of this that is particularly valuable to me is where you’re asked to come up with various scenarios or outcomes that might happen, and to examine what evidence there is for each. So mostly when I am feeling anxious I write down various things that might happen, or that people may think or did think, then I write down what evidence there is for them. Usually of course there is no evidence, it’s just my anxious imagination coming up with the scenarios - and that helps me see that I could also imagine good outcomes as well as negative ones. It puts things into perspective for me.
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Post by lbp on Sept 22, 2022 13:57:35 GMT
Most of my anxiety attacks happen at night. I am fine during the day and can rationalize and control things. However as soon as I lie down to go to sleep then everything that I did all day and things that I did 40 years ago start running through my brain until it feels like I have bees under my skin and they are buzzing.
I have to get up and read something very soothing (not my usual scary books), warm milk, maybe tv and if that doesn't work I take 1/2 a Xanax.
I also have this "thing" that happens either night or day that none of the doctors I have seen know exactly what is happening. I will get a "wave" of fear and despair that will last about a minute, then it goes away. Within another minute I get a major hot flash and break out into a cold sweat. I know when this happens and can tell myself this is only lasting a couple of minutes but it is so weird.
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Post by mcjunkin on Sept 22, 2022 14:08:36 GMT
Most of my anxiety attacks happen at night. I am fine during the day and can rationalize and control things. However as soon as I lie down to go to sleep then everything that I did all day and things that I did 40 years ago start running through my brain until it feels like I have bees under my skin and they are buzzing. It is because of this I have learned to sleep with a headphone in. I used to get up and watch TV until I fell back asleep, but now I pop a headphone in one side and listen to a podcast. Helps tremendously! I follow along with what I am listening to instead of the racing thoughts, and usually fall asleep nicely. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I start another episode and I go back to sleep so much easier. ETA: If I lived/slept alone, I would just play the podcast on speaker instead of a headphone. My husband is not keen on hearing what I am listening to when he is also trying to sleep, LOL.
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Post by peace on Sept 22, 2022 14:30:34 GMT
yoga meditation writing 3 pages every morning (like The Artist's Way) These 3 things have helped at different points. I just started the yoga about 6-8 weeks ago. It has really helped. I wish I could take classes more often. Reconnecting with nature in any way is also very helpful. Thanks for asking this- I am very interested to hear what other people do. It's such a personal place to be in. I'm certainly glad we can talk about it- and it isn't considered hysteria anymore
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dontsitstill
Junior Member
New Pea #151
Posts: 81
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:51 GMT
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Post by dontsitstill on Sept 22, 2022 23:03:49 GMT
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Post by peasapie on Sept 23, 2022 13:01:46 GMT
I watch rom coms, especially holiday movies. For a couple of hours, I forget what I was worrying about. Another thing I do is to remind myself that after a couple of nights sleeping, I won’t be so irrationally anxious about whatever it is I’ve been thinking about. Just that knowledge alone, the fact that this won’t last forever, it really helps me.
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