My anxiety is much worse

[Shutterbug65]

Is anyone feeling more overwhelmed or finding it harder to cope due to everything that’s happening? My anxiety is getting worse, I don’t sleep well, I’m always tired in the morning because of a lack of sleep. I wake up at 3:30 or 4:00 am struggling to calm my thoughts and rising anxiety but it doesn’t work. Much of my worry is because I’m alone with no family or friends near by if I need help. My mornings have always been difficult (morning anxiety) but lately because of the very stressful times where in I’m really struggling. Especially when it comes to getting enough sleep.

Does anyone else feel this way?

Thank you and I hope everyone here is safe and healthy.

[GeGe2002]

i can identify with that i am going through all that ive been doing stuff in the house to keep busy listening to music, cleaning i also have a my fur baby that keeps me company, im learning to work with meditation which helps i was skeptical in the beging but found out it truly works... hope things get better soon.... GeGe2002

[Shutterbug65 in reply to GeGe2002]

Thank you. I’ve heard some very good things about meditation. But how do you keep the intrusive worrisome thoughts at bay? Whenever I try to relax and clear my mind it never works. I gotta get up and pace around. Focusing on anything is not easy.

[blackcat64013 in reply to Shutterbug65]

About those thoughts that keep bugging us ... I have worked hard on awareness of and surfing the feeling. It works like this as best as I can describe it. The anxious thought pops into your head. You say to yourself, " hello anxiety is visiting me again. I know that this is like a wave which builds to its biggest point before it crashes down and rolls calmly into the beach. I see myself being the surfer who has ridden the wave successfully to the sand. I pat myself on the back for a ride well done 🏄 This means the feeling will pass and I am good to move on. Like meditation this may not be right for you but give it a try. It more immediate and takes only a minute or two.

[grace414b]

Hey there,

I’m so sorry you’re having such a rough time. I’ve been having similar struggles during all of this. I’ve had to make some adjustments to my daily schedule, and maybe it’s something that could work for you. I also have trouble sleeping at night but find that I rest much better during the daylight. So, I’ll go ahead and get up at 4 or 5 in the morning, read a good book, enjoy a devotional, or watch a movie. Anything that gets my mind off the things that stress me out seems to be really helpful. And later, I indulge in a 2-3 hour nap! It’s not everyone’s normal, but it is working to help me stay a little calmer.

You mentioned that you don’t have friends or family nearby. I’m sure that does add to your anxiety. Are you able to call or text with them on a regular basis? Support groups like this are helpful for me when I’m feeling lonely. It helps to know that other people are going through the same thing, and we can all kind of lean on each other. I’ll be praying that your anxiety eases and that you are able to find some peace. Keep in touch if you’d like.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to grace414b]

Thanks and please pardon my late reply I tend to do this from time to time. I simply feel overwhelmed by my problems and I’m always believing the worst things are gonna happen. It seems even small problems are difficult for me to deal with nowadays and I feel so alone. And many times I put things off until they inevitably become worse. I just want to find some happiness and peace and be able to relax. People tell me worrying is a waste of time, that it doesn’t solve anything and they are right. But if I lay down during the day my mind won’t let me rest. At night before bed I do drink a couple of beers and it helps me unwind a bit. Sometimes I think it makes my morning anxiety worse. What do you think?

And yes not having friends or close family relationships does make me feel very uneasy. We all need somebody to lean on. Right?

Thank you again.

[grace414b in reply to Shutterbug65]

Hey Shutterbug!

I know that feeling so well. People used to tell me I was too negative because I always imagined the worst possible scenarios. I hated that because I really didn’t want to be that person! I can’t say for sure, but drinking may make it worse. I do know that alcohol is a depressant. I used to drink pretty heavily because it was the only time I felt free and happy. But like you, I always felt worse the next morning.

And of course, we all need someone to lean on! What really helped me begin to cope with my anxiety was my faith. Once I realized that I didn’t have to carry those burdens alone, I literally began to feel freer and more at peace. I still have my days when I feel alone and anxiety overcomes me, but those days are fewer and farther between now. And it has been really nice when my family says that I’m a different person now than I used to be.

This feeling won’t last forever. I’m always here if you need to talk. Still praying for you, friend.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to grace414b]

Thank you. I wish I knew how to speak to god. I often hear many people talk about their faith and how it helps them. Sometimes I pray in the morning mostly for the people I’ve lost through the years. But I don’t know if god listens, I just don’t feel anything. I was raised Catholic and used to go to church every Sunday with my grandmother, who along with my grandfather raised me. I miss so many people who used to be in my life. But I remember as a kid I was always anxious if I wasn’t with my grandparents, I was always afraid something would happen to them. I wish I could talk to them again.

Thanks for your prayers and for caring about me.

[grace414b in reply to Shutterbug65]

Hey Shutterbug,

He’s always listening. I used to think that prayer had to be some eloquently constructed speech in order for it to be effective. I was wrong! God is our heavenly Father and he loves us unconditionally, flaws and all. I have two sons who I love more than anything and it is hard to fathom that God actually loves me even more than that, but He does. And He doesn’t care if I stumble over my words or don’t know what to say. He just wants to hear from me, very much like I want to talk to my sons every day. It was kind of hard to understand before I became a mother, but now it’s crystal clear.

One of the hardest things for me to figure out was that sometimes my prayers weren’t answered because He was protecting me from something I couldn’t see. I used to get frustrated and felt like He didn’t hear me. But just like a parent, God will often say “No” or “Not right now” in response to my prayers. I get it now. He knows better than I do what the future holds and even if something may benefit me now, it could lead to something bad later. Learning to trust and give up that instinct to be in control was hard but when I did, it brought me so much peace.

I’d be happy to share some of my favorite verses that help me when I’m feeling down and lonely. Just send me a message if you want them, or even if you just need to talk!

[Shutterbug65 in reply to grace414b]

I admire your faith. I’m just a very lonely sad and negative person. I worry constantly and I’m afraid of being alone as I get older. I wish I had the same relationship with god that you do. But the times I went to church or prayed, I didn’t feel anything. If there is a god he’s far to busy with what’s happening in the world to care about me. This is just what I think and I know I’m probably wrong. I guess I need to open my heart and mind to let god in. But I don’t know how to do that. My own negative thoughts always get in the way.

Have a Happy Mother’s Day.

[grace414b in reply to Shutterbug65]

I’ve been told many times that I’m a negative person, too. I don’t really see it as negative; just that I am more realistic and don’t buy into the sunshine and rainbows stuff. Even Scripture says that we will face challenges and trials.

I promise you that God isn’t too busy to care about you. He knows you right down to the number of hairs on your head. For a long time, I felt the same way. I prayed and nothing happened. As I began to grow though, I realized that some of those unanswered prayers were actually to protect me from something I never saw coming. And I also realized that He isn’t going to force me to be in relationship with Him. It was up to me to seek Him continually and to learn to trust and listen. God’s voice doesn’t always come in a loud booming thunder; sometimes He whispers, and we only hear if we are truly seeking Him.

I’m always around if you need to talk.

[Sabio77]

Shutterbug65 yes these are very trying times we live in. morning anxiety happens because our level of brain chemicals that we need to stay strong and positive are low. some people take meds at night before bed to help thru the evening/morning hours.

[leftbehind]

I also have a ton of anxiety and a very busy mind. I have been playing meditation music for sleep. I just Google YouTube sleep music. They have free music that will play for hours. I put it on softly all night and that keeps my mind from wandering into anxiety. Then in the morning when I wake up I YouTube again some empowering video on my phone. Then I say okay do this day. Sometimes my curiosity is so intense I have to watch the news which is a big mistake to start the day with!

Here in Washington State Covid-19 is spreading again whereas we entered Phase 2, opening stores and restaurants with spacing for outdoor dining. This is not working because people will not wear their masks nor will they observe social distancing.I went out to a little town yesterday where a lot of Tourists visit... The residents were wearing their masks and respecting distancing, but the visitors were cramming together at outdoor tables, walking down the crowded sidewalks without a care, without a mask, and didn't care anything. I was so disgusted I wanted to yell at them that they should go back where they came from. All of this in spite of the governor announcing that Friday it was mandated that people wear masks in public and social distance. No comprende!!! That gives me anxiety. Breathe deep and pray. 🤪🤔