Anxiety of heat!

[Minnie238]

How do I calm my anxiety about the heat wave coming again? Help!!!

[Mary-intussuception]

How hot is it expected to be?

All I could suggest is to take the necessary precautions then rest :

Check the Air Conditioning is functioning ok (if you have this);

Place bottles of water in the fridge or containers of tap water. Make sure to have ice-cubes in the freezer.

Close blinds & / or curtains ;

Wear something cool & loose made of cotton or linen if possible.

Sick back and relax with feet raised if able.

Drink extra water frequently throughout the day.

Eat healthy meals - even if you don't feel hungry - small meals & fresh or tinned fruit.

Avoid coffee, fizzy drinks, any drinks containing caffeine. Only drink decaf tea or coffee.

Place wet face cloths across forehead or back of the neck if you feel excessively hot.

Sleep when it's cool and rest as much as you can when it's too hot to do anything.

[Minnie238 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

It is my air conditioner that gives me anxiety. It kicks on and off really quickly bc we don’t have very good insulation. How do I control my thought of being afraid? I have no clue why I am afraid either of the ac. Help!!

[Agora1 in reply to Minnie238]

You know Minnie, I can understand you getting startled in the way the A/C

kicks in abruptly. Our nervous system is over sensitized to begin with, so it

doesn't take much to activate that startled effect. A phone ring, doorbell even

when on TV can give you that same rush of adrenaline. It's how we perceive

the threat of those sounds. It doesn't have to make sense, it just is for the

anxious person. I would start practicing some relaxation techniques and deep

breathing. Preparing yourself for these upcoming fears. When you feel unsettled,

use your tools to get you through. Eventually, you won't even have to think about

it. Your body will automatically respond in a more positive way both mentally and

physically. xx

[Minnie238 in reply to Agora1]

Hi,

Thank you for the support! I am trying! The breathing helps. Right now I just need to stop hyping myself up first. That is where is get worse. I am constantly tracking the temperatures. I need to stop with that. I am getting OCD with it. I purchased two sets of noise cancelling headphones so I can have my ears covered at all times. I have many different chargers for my phone to constantly keep my music or other things running for sounds. I have earplugs on top of that so I can really shut all sounds out! I am trying all sorts of alternative to make it work until I can get out of this death hole with my children. I sorry for venting! I just need to! It is helping with my anxiety!

[Ubud2021 in reply to Minnie238]

Hey (:

If you have the means to get a window cooler, that might help. You can prepare yourself before turning it on. And start by turning it on low so the sound isn’t quite as over stimulating. Over even putting in headphones listening to music while you turn it on.

Just throwing an alternative out there for ya.

Hope things get better 💕

[Minnie238 in reply to Ubud2021]

Thank you! Things won’t get better with him. I have to learn different methods to handle my anxiety. I have told him it gives me anxiety. He laughed and said “That is your problem! You should leave!!!”

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Minnie238]

You didn't mention this.

How hot is it expected to become? What temperature is it now?

Would you be able to turn off the air conditioning?

Are you able to organise the other practicalities?

We don't have air conditioning . When the sun burns on the living room from late morning/midday throughout the afternoon we close the curtains, which helps.

Which room is the coolest? Do you have a garden? If you do , could you sit out in a shaded area at peak times?

For me past triggers have been : the phone ringing unexpectedly, a knock at the door, the sound of mail being pushed into the letter box; and during the night when trying to get the sleep - the sound of the gas boiler coming on which triggers the fans in the roof to come on followed by the loud banging noise as they go off - then come on again.

Hope you are able to prepare, and get through this.

Edit: ps

Another thing you could do is post on here as soon as the air conditioning comes on. Or make an arrangement now, with someone to private message them so you can chat through it when it occurs, get help with distraction.

x

[Minnie238]

It will be in the 100 next week. We are in the high 80’s. The house get so hot bc there is not insulation. I am trying to meditate. I wear noise canceling headphones when we have to turn it on. I even have to sleep with them with earplugs. I spend a hour or more in the garden daily.i am trying my best. I feel like the house is a death trap! It is causing me to have anxiety.