If you’ve ever suffered with stress/anxiety what helped or helps you?

[Starfishswimmer]

Going through a hard time right now
mainly due to my house being upside down and a mess due to an extension being done

found this far far more stressful then I thought I would

but I’ve got to the point where I’m struggling to sleep
can get off ok
bit I wake about 3 and can’t get back to sleep
ive also had a couple of nights where I’ve not slept at all
which I didn’t know was even possible

move been really struggling to eat
havjng to force food down
I lost weight

and there’s been a few time about 3 times where I’ve thrown up in the am
which. I think is from the stress of not sleeping, or eatting well
but it’s just been bile

also my body’s been aching all over
guess that could just be tension in my body and I was wondering would a massage help ?

Or to anyone out there that’s struggled in this way what did you do to help yourself

The best thing you can do is visit your GP and tell them what you just posted.

In terms of relaxing I find reading really absorbs me so I spend less time stressing so feel more relaxed

Medication 💊

Try setraline and exercise- less coffee- get out in the fresh air. Distraction works for me- art painting colouring

@Starfishswimmer oh you ♥️

this is a difficult time for you and I hope you have someone who can help you with accessing referrals, help etc?

also from experience the thing that causes the episode can seem small but can either be masking other stresses or just another thing to be stressed about in a catalogue of things, so don’t be hard on yourself.

Hello I'm on day 2 of trying Magnesium Gluconate , it apparently helps you sleep and can also help with anxiety . I slept ok last night but obviously too early to tell you whether it's going to work.

The headspace app and learning proper breathing.
No caffeine or alcohol.
Removing the stressor.
Comforting TV

1. Stints of mindful breathing down into my belly, not shallow breaths, 2. Yoga class, 3. Switching off from what's around and reading a novel, 4. Dog ownership (might not be currently for you!), 5. Listing three things that are going well.

The novels I would read are fiction (anything from Mansfield Park to a Richard Osman) but one book that has really helped about ten years of anxiety is The Compassionate Mind by Someone Gilbert. Hugely helpful and an intelligent read.

Magnesium is really good for sleep and anxiety. I take Magnesium citrate. Saw a difference after a few days.

Oh and an eye mask really helps me stay asleep. When anxious I often wake around 3am but haven't for ages. It's not a special eye mask - just a freebie Clinique one.

Also, dog ownership has ensured a daily walk in nature. I am semi-rural, so lucky in that respect.

Weirdly, I've enjoyed growing tomatoes and pruning them this year too.

Delicious Sertraline and stress naps.

Sounds very familiar except I'm opposite with eating ... Don't feel like food but comfort eat too much bad stuff.
I do improve when have routine eating well, water and exercise need to walk every day but a big run can help me for a few days.
Take care, good luck

Sorry you're struggling like this OP! I have chronic anxiety (diagnosed generalised anxiety disorder) and have done since childhood, so I really sympathise. If your situation was chronic I'd suggest GP for medication, but since it (sounds like?) is temporary, maybe there are other things you can do, as antidepressants can be difficult to stop taking.

Things you could try:

• CBD oil (I use this every night, really helps to calm and help with sleep)
• Reading before bed, especially good escapist fiction
• Going for walks/getting fresh air every day, ideally in nature
• Try to be kind to yourself and accept that this will pass
• Try mindfulness videos. Also ASMR videos, some people don't get on with them but I find them very calming

I’m a bit worried to see the gp as we might be past the worse of the extension in couple of weeks
and I kinda wanted to see how I am then

I guess I’m hoping I go back to usual

i suppose I’m worried if they put me straight on anti depressants
maybe I should just try and hang on another couple of weeks

i did ask for advice on Holland and Barrett
nearly started crying in there ffs

the girl reccomnded HTP 5
but when I read up on it
peopel saying these are not properly tested etc
mit scared me off

is the magnesium just a vitamin/mineral

ive also removed caffeine and alcohol as been havjgn a racing heart at times too

Many many thanks to you all, so kind of you to take your time to try and help me

I've suffered with depression and anxiety - two things that help me is 1. Make sure you are getting enough sleep! Tiredness can make your moods even worse! 2. Exercise - even if it's just go for a walk, get some fresh air or do a 20 minute work out at home. You will feel so glad you've done it after and it almost feels like some kind of weight is lifted off your shoulder! Getting medication may help, my friend was on sertraline and it massively helped her within a few weeks and she feels brand new, whereas it didn't work for me. But I still gave it a go and it's worth the go because it might do you wonders ❤️

I never thought I'd say this but CBD oil. I was sent a sample to review, and honestly I've always thought it's complete guff for the gullible, but within two doses I felt more peaceful than I had done in months, I've been taking it a few months now and it works for me a lot better than the tablets the gp gave me which just turned me into a gormless zombie (granted not an anxious one, but I couldn't focus on anything). I wouldn't be without it now.

Mindfulness apps (Calm, Headspace were fantastic). Also remembering that the past and future don’t actually exist - only the present moment does, so I make sure to be fully present (grounding techniques help).

I had this EXACT situation. What helped me was:

1. making one room (my bedroom) clean and tidy and totally in order so I had somewhere to retreat away from the chaos.

2. going for a walk when I felt overwhelmed and picturing what it would look like when finished, and rationally going through what was worrying me I.e. sick of eating my dinner in my bedroom but at the end of day it was temporary and not physically harming me. Nowhere to dry laundry, had to run it to my parents so it didn’t get covered in dust, again annoying but short term for the greater good.

3. make time to relax, have a bath, get out and do some exercise, helps you to keep perspective.

Know that it’s temporary and let other people help you with whatever is bothering you the most. Eat what you fancy and get through each day until it’s over, be selfish when you need to be. I regularly read myself to sleep when I’m stressed, works nearly every time.

Journaling, quiet alone time, exercise, minimal if any caffeine, mindfulness / meditation on YouTube and therapy if you can get it. Look at coming off any hormonal birth control. Read up on compassionate / critical internal dialogues, it’s really been eye opening for me!

sorry you’re going through that, it won’t fix overnight but you can definitely fix it. And in my experience without medication

I had the same symptoms OP that were on & off for a while but didn’t seem to properly lift. I did end up getting diagnosed with depression & Sertraline has been very helpful for me. I have always been an anxious person but this was on another level. I would keep an eye & if it doesn’t lift then speak to your GP. The things that typically help me are yoga with Adriene (YouTube) & getting out in to nature- walking in the countryside rather than hitting the gym. But in my case i needed the medication to get the benefit of the the self-care tips.

I think it’s the lack of sleep that’s the biggest key problem, I don’t know if it’s that what’s making my whole body ache

im going to try all the suggestions for the next couple of weeks
bit If I’m still on this mess in a fortnight
ill
have to see my gp
as Im scared I might have some sort of breakdown and the lack of sleep is making me go towards being unable to function
so I will keep a close eye on it

I don’t read enough so o think this could help
just need to find a couple of books to order on Amazon
any recommendations welcome

Hi OP

Yes, the magnesium is just a vitamin/mineral supplement. I take Novomins Magnesium Gummies which you can get on Amazon.

CBT
Mindfulness
Yoga
Hypnotherapy
Walking
Meditation

thanks i will
try the magnesium

im also going to try reading
and if I wake just read

it tempted to try the cba oil

I will make sure I’m moving my body enough on power walks in nature

I’m going to try to be kind to myself