Some strategies- one of my biggest struggles

[Kevin87]

Hi all!

I hope you’ve had a blessed and relaxing weekend!

One of my biggest struggles (and others on this board as well) is appreciating the moment.

What are some ways each of you appreciates the moment your in?

How do you tell anxiety to “give it a rest”, and appreciate what is in front of you. Meditation and prayer seem to help a lot. However I’ve gotten so used to feeling anxious or depressed through the years that it’s hard for me to shake. I’ve almost gotten used to feeling a certain way. So, when a nice moment or a moment of appreciation comes up, it almost feels uncomfortable.

I’m also here if anyone just wants to talk

Thank you all and I hope to hear from you soon

Best

Kevin

[tamka38]

I feel u, I have gotten use to feeling depressed and anxious too. And when

Is not brothing me. It seems like I make

It appear to go through the up and downs

Because to me is my normal. Is a cycle I

Must break so I can give my body and

mind some rest i definitely need it, am just taking baby steps and going with the flow

[Kevin87 in reply to tamka38]

That’s what I’m trying too. What sort of things are helping you break through it??

[Hidden]

I really understand what you mean as I’m exactly the same. Being anxious has become my default position and appreciating the moment and living now demands a lot of effort. I don’t always succeed which reinforces my anxiety. I just try to remind myself to focus on what I am currently doing and direct my mind away from the anxiety. Again, it doesn’t work all the time. I’m hoping with practice it becomes easier.

[Kevin87 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I’m experiencing the same. I started simple meditation techniques a few days ago and I’m finding that taking a few seconds to just breath deeply helps. Especially when an intrusive thought goes through my mind, I take a minute to breath and let it pass.

[Agora1 in reply to Kevin87]

Hi Kevin, for me meditation and deep breathing works best in getting me to

a calm and peaceful place. You can't do it too much, it's free and it's always

with you. Breathe x

[Kevin87 in reply to Agora1]

I actually just started meditating after (literally everyone) told me it would help. So far so good I would say! Do you have any techniques to keep yourself present through the day??

[Agora1 in reply to Kevin87]

The deep breathing is so automatic now that I use it throughout the day without

even thinking twice about it. It started back when I was Agoraphobic for 5 years.

I needed something to get me out of the house. I found that deep breathing did

just that. So continued it when driving, when shopping, when talking on the phone.

I was surprised at how much it helped. It lowered the anxious feeling in my stomach, allowed me not to get lightheaded and spacy and just let me feel like

myself once more.

Practice makes perfect Kevin. Good Luck on continuing meditation. Add in the

deep breathing and you will have it made.

[Kevin87 in reply to Agora1]

You’re hopefulness and story are inspiring thank gou

[Coot18 in reply to Kevin87]

Playing with grandkids

I go to my granddaughters kindergarten class once a week. Kids can help us live for the moment.

[Kevin87 in reply to Coot18]

That’s a very good point!

[Stm252]

Being in the moment is very hard when you are feeling anxious. It's the worst isn't it? I think looking at objects and naming them is a very useful technique for centering. I also think talking to someone instead of isolating about anything (eg a recipe, the news, your dog) reminds you of the something OTHER than your anxiety and allows you to shift.

[Kevin87 in reply to Stm252]

My dog and my belly should like that answer 😉 thanks so much

[Stm252 in reply to Kevin87]

You got it!!

[SirGrits]

Wow Kevin87 great post! It's so reassuring reading all the common experience. I don't have any really great strategies either. Sometimes if feels like I'm either a little anxious or I'm actively being not-anxious.

For me, the more engaging the moment the easier it is to engage in it. The best moments have been relational. I'm an introvert so this has been "a thing" but I've been trying to be a more intentional husband, father, friend etc. It's been a kind of positive snowball with the benefit of "forgetting to be anxious".

[Kevin87 in reply to SirGrits]

That’s a really great way to put it! I’m glad someone was able to gain something from all these responses.

[Flintridge]

Meditation is a great tool. I also used to sometimes watch youtube videos on massage, which may sound weird but I found it super relaxing. As for staying present, I think trying to take in present moment as much as possible and truly feel joy for whatever fun thing I'm experiencing. We only have the precious present moment, the past is done and the future hasn't happened yet.

[art62grammie]

I am an artist. I draw and paint for therapy. It is wonderful.

[Kevin87 in reply to art62grammie]

Isn’t it the best? I’m an illustrator so I get to make my own worlds in the images I create. I’m so glad to hear someone has used art as a means to heal themselves and make themselves happy. So many times when using it as a job or career you lose the fact that it can really heal you in an amazing way!

[art62grammie]

Thanks! Art is great! WE GOT IT!