Anxiety and low mood - Is there such a thing as a quick fix?

[Petalsoflove]

I am a lifelong over thinker, worrier and dweller. Thankfully I have a sense of humour so I can see the light mostly.

I used to think about things from childhood or that happened years ago and feel upset, like never properly getting over them. Makes it hard to be happy.

I know some of the happiest people just don't think. My partner for example is happy watching a film, falls asleep like a baby. Just doesn't worry or think.

I am the opposite. I have found myself in a cycle of negative health thoughts (triggered from health problems) but it leaves you not knowing what came first.

The thing is, I know I need to do relaxation And change my thoughts but it's the hard work this requires, the effort. When you've no energy you take the easy path. Do what you know. Stay the same.

Maybe that's why we all stay having anxiety.

Has anyone any tips on how they felt better?

It's very hard ATM with the situation we are all in.

Has anyone found exercise to significantly help them? I plan to start this when I can but i have so little energy that in-between looking after my baby I just want to sleep or lie down. It's like I'm exhausted. But I still don't know how much is my health problems and how much is perhaps low mood and anxiety related.

[Petalsoflove]

You say it and it sounds easy, perhaps if I didn't have a 10 month old demanding my attention every second. I think for some who are so not used to relaxing, it feels alien. I actually find it more anxiety provoking to concentrate on my breathing.

But then again, I haven't worked hard enough at it. As they say relaxation is a skill that must be learnt and practiced.

[Marysblue]

I've always been an over-thinker worrier too. I'm trying to learn self-compassion. This has been a tough year and you've got a lot going on with a small child. Go easy on yourself , we're all just doing the best we can.

[Petalsoflove in reply to Marysblue]

Thankyou, Yes that's a fair point about self compassion. Harder to do for yourself admittedly.

But we shall try.

☺️

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Petalsoflove]

Hi Petalsoflove and other friends. I’ve always thought of myself as thinking too much about the present and the past. But I’m slowly realizing that we “overthinkers” don’t have any more thoughts than the most easygoing people we know. Think of a stream and you’re a bear by the side of the stream. The fish swimming by are thoughts. The bear that lets the fish go by is the one unburdened by thoughts. People like us are the bears that incessantly grab as many fish as we can and eat them or obsess over them and in any case stop them from simply going downstream where they naturally would if we let them. So everyone is a bear with a stream full of fish (thoughts). What bears like us want to do is let more of the fish just swim by. In other words, thoughts come and go if we let them. That may be a silly analogy ( it actually IS a silly analogy) but the hope is that it illustrates a point. We can change the perspective of our inner bear but we can’t change the stream or the number of fish. It’s what we do (or don’t do) with the fish that can be the difference between peace of mind and unhappiness.

[Petalsoflove in reply to Catsamaze]

Very well said. I like the way of thinking about this

[Hidden in reply to Catsamaze]

I like this a lot.

[Petalsoflove]

Correct, but I find myself going back to bad habits during these times like doctor Google or wanting sleep.I think because I've tried in the past and seen no initial benefit I've given up and gone back to what I'd normally do.

But I will try, thankyou for the nudge.

[Petalsoflove]

Yeah being online too much definitely makes you feel worse.I'm sure you'll manage without it. Going to try have more phone free days, also terrible for posture/ neck.

[Bigbrighteyes96]

Hi Petalsoflove, I started doing run the month to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, and I have found it helps me focus and distract my mind. Other tips I can give are when you feel anxious to try counting down from 10-1 or going through the alphabet in your head. You can also distract yourself by thinking about what your going to eat for your next meal and what you need to do to prepare it. Just a few ideas I have picked up.

[Petalsoflove in reply to Bigbrighteyes96]

Thankyou Danny that's helpful. I think I am going to really try and exercise more, try to break the cycle of just lounging around/ thinking too much. The run the month sounds great.

[Aishu2]

But when yoy try to overcome your depression by changing thoughts and gaining positively, what if the outside situations attacks and situations attack you sequentialy?