Advice on this Journey to being anxiety free

[hippieebbbz09]

Hi!

I was curious if anyone else felt this often or even once.

As I was doing my calm breathing exercises in the shower, felt like a throbbing or pulsating sensation in my head, above my ear. It was simultaneous with my fast HR. I was trying to calm myself down a bit. Had a busy errand day. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone else had felt this kind of throbbing sensation or pulsating sensation before. Is it because I’m like hyper-aware of everything ? Is it the fast HR being felt up there? Idk. I’m going to try not to overthink it , because nothing else at all, bothers me , and this isn’t a lingering issue. It came with me feeling all panicky and no, I don’t feel this way now. (thankfully! :)) so yeah, just wanted some advice.

ALSO, anyone else having this obsession with checking your BP often. I found my mom’s old one, and have checked it daily. It’s pretty normal ,at rest, for the most part , but I focus on other readings after that. It sucks. I don’t want to go down some downward spiral.

Then, my sleep schedule completely reversed . I now sleep during the day, for about 7-8 hours, but it’s during the day lol.

I’m trying to get better guys. I am. Had such a rough ass year , and it will only get better for my mental health. I know I have to do the work but things creep up often for me. It’s rough to stay focused .

[Agora1]

Hi hippie, it is very common to experience what you had regarding fast h/r and feeling

it in the ear, head and/or neck. The subconscious mind is always working overtime

causing us to focus on symptoms. If we didn't, the symptoms would leave so much faster and not cause more symptoms.

I use to be guilty in taking my pressure multiple times a day. It just proved what I already

knew and that was, our pressure changes from time to time according to what we are doing

and thinking.

As for sleeping in the day 7-8 hours, that's going to be a more difficult issue to reverse.

Any reason that you first started doing that. Is there something about evening that

doesn't allow you to relax and sleep? xx

[hippieebbbz09 in reply to Agora1]

Grief. I lost my mom earlier this past year. Prior , I didn’t have THAT much of an issue sleeping at night. It was comfort knowing all was well. Things were familiar....like my family house, her and my family being there.

I’ve moved with my bf , to his family house this past July. At first, I adjusted because I got a break from it all. She had gotten a lovely service . I handled her estate , and now I was to focus on me. So, the first couple of months, I slept like a baby. I had a consistent sleep schedule.

Recently , I’ve had a scattered schedule. Things that have changed: I let go of alcohol , like 2 months ago. I am often on my phone , or iPad. I kind of don’t have a consistent time I drink chamomile. I drink it in the mornings to chill me out , but find myself napping sometimes. I’m one of those where chamomile has sedative effects on. I’m always at my house though , when I drink it. Hmm, oh! Intrusive thoughts stay in my mind.

So it’ll go like this. I’ll want to sleep at 12a , let’s say.

I’ll be in bed , at 10:30, lights may or may not be on. TV is still on.. but recently I’ve turned it off. But I’m attached to my phone , and iPad. I’ll have had 1 chamomile tea around dinner , and will sip on that , around that time. But, the distractions are still there. I view the distractions, as something keeping me company . My thoughts consist of something health anxiety related or figuring out what I wanna do with myself. My mom really made a platform for me to succeed. But, I have such an unconventional career field I want to pursue, but I’m thinking I should just also have a career that looks good on paper. I get these sad spells . I don’t want to disappoint anyone , or her . Don’t want her thinking anything she provided me with was in vain.

So, these thoughts circle me nightly , most nights, unless I drink chamomile tea and have my weighted blanket, but then the burping tic had bothered me. Yet, your comment, may have just been the key to inspire me to keep moving forward and heal! I thought I was harming myself letting the burp sit, thinking it would harm me , and go elsewhere other than my stomach. I feel more relaxed as I write , because I am doing the exercise. I feel relaxed. Lol.

But undoing what I’ve done, in regards to sleep, I don’t want to be sad all over again. Lol. Soooo....I’ve been watching YouTube, and any Sleep Dr’s talking , I’m trying to see some advice. Lately , any melatonin rich foods have helped. I eat a cherry - almond mix as a nightly dessert. I don’t do the juice . Very sugary.

[Agora1 in reply to hippieebbbz09]

hippie, I am so truly sorry about the loss of your mother. I can now understand

how this loss is attributing to your issues right now. You are doing the right things

but it's going to take time since you are in a grieving period.

Your escape right now seems to be in sleeping/napping as well as using the ipad/cell

at night.

I have a daughter that does the same, playing games on her cell hoping she will get eventually fall asleep. Once you pass that natural sleep hour while on the phone, your body gets confused and thinks it's time to wake up. Before long, you are up all night, sleeping on and off during the day and not going into a deep REM sleep. The sleep

most needed to repair the mind and body from stress.

Maybe you can try reducing the time you are on your social media during the evening.

The Chamomile tea is a great idea but you have to help it along by going with the flow xx

[hippieebbbz09 in reply to Agora1]

Ok, thanks so much with the advice!

And I do appreciate you for the kind words. She’s always with me in spirit. And knowing what she’d say , she’d want me to look after myself much better.

It’ll be a bit of a journey to wean off the phone , but I know it’ll benefit me greatly. I see the pattern now, and I do agree.

Thanks! The tea is so amazing. I also have turmeric / ginger tea, beet juice, cherries , as well. But, I have to also set up the environment to promote better sleep.

[hippieebbbz09 in reply to Agora1]

Hey! Just wanted to update. I was able to get sleep much earlier . It was still morning , technically, but late ...before the sun came . It was like 4. Not super ideal but ....it’s in the right direction. Not during the full on morning . Still did my morning routine and all! Off to pick up my puppy lol. Now that’s gonna discipline me - for sure lol. ( w: sleep and all)

[Agora1 in reply to hippieebbbz09]

Happy Monday hippie xx