I have been really struggling with anxiety. It’s winter, post holidays, a normally tough time for anxiety but with the world as it is right now it’s even harder to cope.
I was hoping other sufferers could share with me some of the things that are helping them get through these trying times, especially the things that come through personal experience.
Medications, mindfulness, self care, etc, sometimes is just not enough.
Strangely, doing a jigsaw puzzle and painting have really helped to occupy my mind. When we trigger a different part of our mind, we focus our energy on that one task. Also, the sense of accomplishment helps...rather than just sitting and stewing.
May I ask do you have a set time to do these activities or is it in reaction to an anxiety trigger? I played chess on my phone for a bit when I was having a spike in anxiety but it became a bit obsessive after a while. Painting sounds cool, any tips?
Usually it’s through an anxiety trigger...so I try to keep supplies on the ready. However, if I know I will be home alone on a weekend I try to plan ahead...get things set up so there is no prep work to hinder me. Having a puzzle already started, so I can just plop down when I’m feeling anxious, or having my painting supplies all set up ready to go. Also, the phone games can be quite addictive, so choosing one that limits your time is key...one I play only gives you so many points (or you’d have to buy more), so that helps! I’m not buying no stinking points (Haha!). 🤣
haha, that’s a good strategy for keeping the play time down. I will clean up my desk and leave a pen and pad there (and maybe a small pen and pad for my jacket too). I just need to get in the habit of switching from worry to being creative, easier said than done, thanks for all your advice!
I do try breathing exercises but agree with Lettielou000 that sometimes they just don't cut it. I've been off work the last week and have still been anxious about work plus the family stuff that feels worse this year cause there's really no other of life's usual distractions. I would recommend trying to do something that makes you happy or gives you some control in your life to help misdirected that energy into something else. I had my nephews spend the night this past week and had one friend over for new year's eve so I did some major cleaning cause my house had been a disaster. I should mention I hate cleaning, but I feel so much less anxiety now that my main living space at least is clean and tidy (it's a different story about the other rooms they didn't see but that's for another project). I'm having anxiety about going back to work on Monday to a job I hate and that stresses me out but I'm planning some painting projects to give me something fun and relaxing to look forward to after work (where I've been working at home this past year all alone). Maybe you can find some fun things to do to distract you from the stress, even if it's just coloring if you aren't big into art.
Exactly! Right now in therapy I’m learning about how to notice chain reactions but when some bad situation makes me stressed out I can’t just start making a chart on a chalkboard to deconstruct why I feel so overwhelmed.
The line where you wrote, “We are Legends” really made me think about anxiety in a better way. It gives character to the experience of dealing with all the crappy thoughts day after day. It might help to think of myself as some brave character in a book rather than a mental health sufferer. Thanks!
Thanks for your response! Most of the things that made me happy have been made harder to do because of the pandemic. I used to go to a cafe and journal. I feel more comfortable in a noisy room then at home in silence and since the pandemic I have not written much. I see that doing art has been helpful to both you and Lettie so perhaps I should get back into that or paint what so can’t write. I wish you the best at work. My doctor once told me when I told him how much I disliked going to my job that unfortunately the only reward for good work is more work. Not sure what it me got exactly but I took it to mean that sometimes work is just work and not to stress it but easier said then done.
Hello Tikirob,I too am tortured with anxiety most of my life, although medication has helped to manage most of the time, until a few weeks ago!! It’s so hard when we try all the suggested things to no avail. I honestly think this pandemic is our anxiety’s best friend! We have been halted in our day to day busy lifes and in more uncertainty than ever! I have tried my usual self help books, keeping a diary (so recommend) asmr with my headphones on which can help sleep, also had my dose of medication increased and have benzodiazepines which I really dont like taking. I’m afraid I’m stuck also and can only offer to listen to you and chat whenever you need. The great thing about this site is we all understand how extreme anxiety is and that helps, even to know you are not alone. X
Thank you, I really appreciate the support and sorry you are going through a tough time too. I have had ups and downs with meds myself - sometimes you can do everything and anxiety just has a better day than we do. The pandemic is totally anxieties best friend haha, two against one is not a fair fight. Not being alone is definitely a comfort.
Do you exercise? I find having a routine exercise plan helps me. If I miss my exercise it catches up with me. I become more anxious, distracted and emotional.
I do walk but have been letting the winter get in the way of that. It’s easy for me to say “it’s too cold out” and then my depression sets in. How do you get motivated to exercise in the cold?
It depends on how cold. If the sun is out I just bundle up and go.I'm very disciplined as the exercise makes me feel so much better.
There are also many you tube videos you could try.
I do yoga as well
Today I was up when the sun was just coming out and thought to walk but had breakfast instead, that was that, I have to work on my will power. That’s great you do yoga.
I get it. It's easy for me to say just do it :)It's part of my routine so it gets done.
I hope you find something that helps.
Take care
I have been journaling and writing things down and analyzing my dreams.
Wow. And Whoa! That’s a great idea.
Music..focusing on the words to bring the anxiety down.Crossword puzzles to refocus my brain to have to think n come up with an answer to distract n lower n stop the anxiety.All else fails..medical marijuana relaxes my brain n body n stops it immediately. But music n crossword puzzles r first.Medical marijuana is when its bad n its gonna trigger rise in pain or dystonic storm.Big hugs my friend...lets thank the world's issues right now for heightening all our anxiety.
Hi Tikirob,
One thing that helps me the most is having someone to call and just chat with for 30 or so minutes while doing another task. With the post holidays and longer days I’ve been getting really pad anxiety and panic attacks.
If i try to keep myself busy with cleaning the home/folding laundry I can usually cope really well! But when that is all done and only indoor activities are left is when it gets hard at night. That’s when i try calling around to talk with friend or family. I just say, “do you have time to just talk about anything? Not feeling great” and they get it. They come especially handy when I have to travel for work and stuck in a hotel room by myself.
But if you or someone doesn’t have someone willing to stop what their doing, I’ve found lately online video games with people to be a distraction. Some games have chat rooms over voice and just hearing other people talk can be a distraction for me. I play Destiny on PC but it is available on PS4/5 and the Xbox and free to play!
Hi and Thanks so much for your recommendations. I used to have more contacts for conversations but my mental health diagnosis effected my social life. I adjusted to that then the pandemic hit. So I am starting to feel like a hermit . I am lucky enough to still have a couple of friends and family members and places like HU and other anxiety groups but wish there were more. I totally hear you with the night time anxiety! I get through the day and then the night is like this overwhelming silence where I am so aware of my anxiety. I sometimes turn on the AM radio just to hear people talk.
It’s all good, thanks for your responses!
Hello everyone. I have been here for 1 year and this is my first time sharing. 
Who can I talk to that can help me through a tough time? I don't really have any close friends.
Just looking for some advice here. I have been going nuts trying to figure out what to do.
My anxiety is stopping me from doing something that will help me. How do I power on through this? 
My antidepressant medication Zoloft is not helping my anxiety what medications have helped others?
