Anxiety problem

[kateba]

I have fought anxiety for 40 years. It's been bad again lately. I have always been concerned about my health and right now I'm dealing with a health problem. I'm having trouble relaxing even with medication. It doesn't help it's winter, 5 degrees right now. Wish I could think about the future and feel excited about it but I'm just stuck in a rut right now.

[MMoth]

I ordered a “happy lamp” for days like this. Not sure if it is making a difference yet, but I am willing to try anything.

[kateba in reply to MMoth]

I heard about them years ago and they do work. They project light that is just like natural sunlight. Do give it a try.

[MMoth in reply to kateba]

Thanks! I have taken up embroidery this winter. I don’t have free time every day, but I have come to look forward to time I do have to enjoy this new hobby. With the negative 30-40 degree wind chills, going outside isn’t an option. Using my hands and focusing on each tiny stitch has been therapeutic. Have you tried a new hobby? I understand that with anxiety and depression, it can be difficult to find the motivation to do anything, but I pushed myself and it worked (this time).

[kateba in reply to MMoth]

That's one problem I have had for years. I always played ball in my free time. Since I got older and stopped playing I have just never found something that really interests me. The last 20 years I've racked my brain for ideas but nothing catches my interest. I do enjoy traveling but that takes money and I'm on a limited budget plus right now I wouldn't have the confidence to go. I keep thinking about it though.

[MMoth]

I hope you find something to interest you. Don’t stop trying. 😁. What kind of ball did you play?

Personally, I do fairly well in the spring, summer, and early fall. Gardening, small construction projects, landscaping, walking, reading in my hammock, grilling dinner, hosting picnics, and swimming are my favorites. Even when I have “bad” days, I can find something to look forward to. I really struggle during winter and rainy/cold spells. My asthma is worsened by cold air, and that just adds to the anxiety. My husband says that when we retire, we will go south after Christmas through end of March. However, that is many years away still.

[kateba in reply to MMoth]

I played many different sports but volleyball was number 1 for me. I like going for walks at the local park and even in winter I walk if it's not too cold, like today. Never found much else except golf in the summer, although hard to find someone to go with. I live alone and have no family anywhere near so that makes it tough.

[JkBrauer]

Sometimes when I feel anxious or down I put some uplifting music on and play it all day. I am a housewife right now and I have my husbands' radio in the house ( he bought brand new to listen to while he was out on the jobs at work and then someone else brought theirs, so he brought his home and was going to use in the garage, it never made it in there! I brought it inside and have been using it ever since, haha!) I turn the radio after I have my morning devotions first thing. It stays on all day and It does not get turned off until after dinner at night. I also have a radio in the bathroom so, I have the Christian radio station on, all day long. This helps me keep focused on comfort and peace throughout the day.

[jennicole31]

Hi friend, I am so sorry that you're going through this. Have you tried to seek any spiritual guidance from a local christian church? I believe that it will help to be around a group of supportive people who can pray and walk you through this. I believe that Jesus can heal you. So, I am praying for this storm to pass in His Name. I also pray that you are able to experience joy for the future soon. All things are possible with God. You will overcome this!