Overcoming anxiety

[Rach2512]

I’m new here and not sure what to say . . . . about to go out and run Week 2 Run 3.

Decided to start running because of my high anxiety levels and heard so much about how running can help.

Any good advice or experiences on this please share! 👍🏻

Have a great day! ☺️

[Mrswoolley Graduate]

Well done Rach2512 for keeping going and I think you will be so surprised at how well you do.

I try and look around me as I run and take in sounds and look at the sky etc and it seems to help me when it gets difficult. I also listen to the radio as that is also a distraction.

I also had a look at japanese slow jogging that has been recommended by more experienced runners on here - that has also helped and got me into a rhythmn when running.

I hope you do well and be proud that you have started on this journey - I am only on Week 3 and just done run 2 it was tough but want to keep going.

Take care.

[Rach2512 in reply to Mrswoolley]

Thank you!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Rach2512 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Ah thank you! I will read that! ☺️

[Hidden]

Do you get help with your anxiety?

I got anxiety at the end of my schoolyears, during my last exams. Something must have knacked in me or so, anyhow, the anxiety was real. After years and years of going from one therapist to another psychologist, I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder. My last therapist found out that nothing of talking or so could help me and he guided me to a psychiatrist. She gave me some meds with the message that if these don't help, we can try loads others.

I was apprehensive about taking meds after I tried some meds at the beginning of my anxiety. Those were addictive and did not help at all. But the meds this psychiatrist prescribed were just the thing I needed. Not addictive, your body does not grow used to it, you don't need more after a while and they help! I am not fully without anxiety, I regularly get short panic attacks still. But I can live again. I had not lived for 12 years due to the anxiety.

So I just want to say, I hope you do have help and the right kind of help. I passed a LOT of therapists and psychologists who did nothing for me except take my money. You have to find the right person for you and if medication does get talked about, think about it. If you have to take medication, follow it up closely. Make sure it's not addictive, that you don't need more after a while, etc. But don't write off meds totally, if needed, it's needed.

As to anxiety and running, I can't say much about it. I have my meds who help me. And I have had short panic attacks while running. But I am weird that way. I can suddenly be afraid that I won't know anything to think about while running and get a panic attack because of that thought. Weird, I know...

Good luck!

[Rach2512]

Thank you for your honest reply. I really appreciate that. Oh gosh it’s to really helpful to hear that there’s others out there that have similar experiences.

I’m 54 and spent most of my life pleasing and doing what everyone else wants me to do and getting myself into relationships that are no good me - this is what I’ve just realised (with the help of counselling) and it’s huge emotionally. So now taking some time for self care ☺️

Thanks again for taking the time to reply so honestly.

[Hidden in reply to Rach2512]

There is an anxiety forum on here you can look into..

The running might be a great help for you so I hope you do well at it and keep going.

Take care.

[Rach2512 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jimtom. How do I find that? Not that I want to wallow in my anxiety but it is reassuring that you’re not on your own!

[Hidden in reply to Rach2512]

healthunlocked.com/anxiety-...

Here you go...

[Rach2512 in reply to Hidden]

Got it! 👍🏻

[Hidden in reply to Rach2512]

Good 👍

[H4CS]

Hello i dont have advice but i do know how debilitating anxiety and panic attacks can be, I had a virus 13 years ago which left me breathless, the doctors told me it was panic attacks and To use a paper bag.. it was actually that i had been left asthmatic and couldnt breathe and was then panicking but it took a year to be diagnosed, anyway.. what i like about this running is the routine, the planning, and it generally takes up a bit of thought processes, and when i ran a full twenty minutes i cried 🤣 couldnt believe i managed to achieve something, i am on week 6 and run 3 and i looked back at week 1 and 2 diary entries and it is amazing how far you come in such a short time, this is a very welcoming forum and feel free to post anytime and you will have someone cheering you on and wishing you the best 🎉