I just found this site yesterday, have been dealing with bad stress/anxiety for the last few weeks, I have started to talk to a therapist via telehealth and have picked up a book unwinding anxiety, watched a couple YouTube videos and all that has helped for the most part but Weekends this month have been horrible for me, during the week I can concentrate on work or other things going on which helps a lot, weekend I am just sitting here and the anxeity creeps up on me for no reason, I have tried to keep busy like going to go workout or do something thta helps at the moment but when im back home sitting here it comes roaring back, anxiety stress has been giving me headaches which I have seen a DR for but when that comes on it just take me down a rabbit hole thinking something is wrong and I go googling doom scenarios which makes it worse. Has anyone experienced this or have suggestions when this anxiety comes on?
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AFdale
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Hi AFdale, first it's best to start with what happened several weeks ago in allowing you to start spiraling down this rabbit hole? Something must have happened or is bothering you
that is making Anxiety take over your emotional welfare. The fact that when you keep your
mind busy you do better. However, come the weekend the mind is open to intrusive thoughts that lie to you and perpetuate the symptoms. Therapy is helpful but takes time. Medication can be used as well but there is an adjustment period to it's effects. We are not therapists but can help support you by telling our own journeys and how we handled it.
You did ask how to handle anxiety when it comes on. The answer is you must handle it before it happens. I use daily Meditation and Breathing exercises. It takes time to build up a reservoir of peace and calm in both your mind and body (even when nothing is happening. It's like having a bank account (savings) that you can draw from when the need arises. In other words practice makes perfect. As you interact with others on this safe site, you will see the answers to some of your questions. You just took an important step forward in finding a solution. xx
Gotta do the breathing exercises!!!! Gotta train the brain just like you'd train your body, workouts for the mind, meditation and breathing exercises tres bien!!
Hi Agora1, it was a combination of personal issues dealing with a sick parent, work stuff, that was about a month ago but the anxiety has stuck around and still creeps up. The therapy and reading things online has been helpful because a couple of weeks ago it was a daily thing all day pretty much, now it comes and go so I look at that as progress.
Thank you for the information on handling before it happens, I had been practicing and reading about breathing exercises but I have been doing it more when the anxiety comes and haven't really been successful with that, I guess I need to start doing that through out the day before anything is happening. Will also look into meditation.
Find things that work for you to cope. Meditate, relaxation therapy etc. I call it my toolbox. Hopefully you have someone that you can talk to and share with. I find that helps well too. Realize you are not alone, we are all here for the same reason to get support and help and others to share with. There is a lot out there on YouTube that will help you relax you have to find the right video or person who you connect with so keep looking for the right one. Stay strong and keep reaching out if you need support! 🙏💪❤️
Weekends are tough for me too. What works is to keep busy, distract myself with coping strategies as much as I can. Mine are walking, reading, doing crosswords. Sometimes they don't work, but I keep going, trying to just power through the anxiety. I'm also trying a free meditation app. Every time I get through ramped up anxiety, I feel empowered. I try to tell myself that it will get easier. You're not alone. There are literally millions of us dealing with anxiety. Fight for yourself. You're worth it.
It sounds like you're doing a lot of wonderful things for yourself. Working out will help get rid of some of that extra energy. But yes, I totally hear you. My therapist used to call it "Sunday syndrome" when I had nothing to do, my anxiety was through the roof!!! I don't work anymore, so life has changed (as it always does) but I've also learned to breathe and meditate. I use the Insight meditation app, it's free and has thousands of meditations you can search by symptom you're having. There's a journal feature too. And find a deep breathing technique you like, there's lots, and practice it 4-5 times a day so, like Agora1 said, it becomes a skill you can call on when panic hits. There's a form of yoga called yoga nidra that's a deep relaxation meditation that's nice. I like Ally Boothroyd's voice, it's soothing. Things like yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong are all body and mind meditations that help w anxiety and overall wellbeing. I like Qigong and I use Chris Shelton's 30 day Qigong challenge a lot. All things that help calm us down....
Absolutely! For me, downtime tends to bring on my anxiety. I am distracted while at work, but sometimes the weekends are rough. I try to schedule my time on the weekends and stick to it. I try to get away and do pleasurable things on the weekend. I know it is hard, but STAY AWAY from the computer unless you are disciplined enough to avoid reading things that bring on your anxiety. I agree with the others- practice meditation and breathing exercises and stay with them even if the anxiety passes.
Great advice, Yes I need to schedule my time on the weekends and that is great advice about the computer, that's where I got caught up this weekend going down the Dr. Google rabbit hole of issues and reading doom and gloom articles, that certainly didn't help any.
I am living alone on disability for mental illness. I suffer terrible anxiety everyday. I get some relief by going for walks and meditating. I go to online support groups at LiveWell. These groups are free and are saving my life. My worst enemy is my mind which is constantly negative and hateful. Mental Illness sucks. I survived to 62. But it's been so hard to fight this disease.
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xx
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