Anxiety 😬 Would love to know how other people manage their anxiety.

[Samuraivest]

After a couple of stressful years (illness, bereavement & associated crap) I seem to feel anxious much of the time and the everyday stresses and strains I used to take in my stride feel almost overwhelming. Obviously life is full of ups and downs - that’s not going to change - but it would be great not to go in to panic mode every time a stressful situation comes along.

Anyone want to share what they do to relieve anxious feelings?

Sertraline. I must have suffered from low level anxiety all my life. It has helped with the “big” anxiety that I sought help for, but I now also don’t get sweaty hands when I drive on the motorway any more, for example.

Also sertraline. It’s been amazing. I can’t imagine life without it

Exercise, cut out alcohol and caffeine, online CBT, hypnosis mediations, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation. I stopped ruminating and replaced negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

Build in proper breaks and watch your feelings and thoughts and then balance your thoughts and challenge negative thoughts processes

If menopausal consider HRT. Meds work well too as previous posters indicate

I take Sertraline , but only a very small dose and HRT. The HRT has helped more than anything although I do wonder if it loses it's effectiveness over time.

💐 OP - anxiety is horrible

Big change in thought process brought about by CBT.

Which was:

is this a real worry about something that is actually happening. Ie I have lost my house keys.

or is it a hypothetical worry?
I might do x which may mean I lose my house keys.

understanding the difference between the two, has improved my general levels of anxiety.

I come from a family prone to anxiety, but peri-menopause has definitely made it worse for me.

The menopause made me more anxious which is why I sought help.

Propanol, saying no to things I don’t want to do without any qualms.

5-4-3-2-1 technique really calms me

find five things you can see,
four things you can touch,
three things you can hear,
two things you can smell, and
one thing you can taste

A combination of therapy and sertraline in all honesty. If you are struggling you can self refer I believe, but waiting lists might be an issue. Personally when I was at a very low point, the nhs cbt I had was excellent and helped me get things under control.

If you have the funds, find a good cbt practitioner to start with and then see how you go. I need medication and have accepted it as part of my recovery. I also avoid caffeine and alcohol.

I hope things improve for you. Prolonged anxiety issues are debilitating and I urge you to do whatever you can to find what works for you. You don't deserve to suffer indefinitely.

Plus I also second being mindful of hormonal changes. My Dr said it's a common issue with the peri menopause / menopause.

Another vote for sertraline. Wish I'd gone on it 20 years ago! I also try and live a simple content life.

Yes @MontyCCU ,

That was what prompted me with CBT. Up to that point, I’d just accepted it.

I had a bit of a meltdown about something that really shouldn’t have caused one and THAT was the thing that made me think, ‘this stops here’.

Reminding myself "It doesn't matter" just show up and do my best, what will be will be.
To be aware of my over thinking.
Try to visualise best case scenario.
Eat and sleep well.
Dance to favourite songs.
Learn better understanding of self, show myself compassion, celebrate the victories, focus on what's going right.

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I have just started HRT & am hoping that helps a bit. Will also look in to CBT.

@Drummode I am also saying no to stuff I don’t want to do - quite a revelation 🙂

Tapping
Sounds bonkers but it really does help stop me going into a downward spiral when I'm feeling really anxious
Only needs to take 5 minutes and is easy to do

www.thetappingsolution.com/

Medication - for me citalopram and propanolol
Counselling - I pay for private because NHS is useless

Other things I do are:
Talk to my family/friends about how I'm feeling
Spend time with my pets
Get out in nature/go for walks
Watch favourite TV shows/movies for comfort
Read books (I like fantasy and things that give me escapism)
Take naps

If all else fails have a good cry

I think getting out in nature is really important

Therapy and stopping working as I was retired through ill health so received my pension. Anxiety was not my only illness.

Walk for an hour a day and rarely touch alcohol only very special occasions such as weddings.

Say no to doing things sometimes.

Game on my console, do gardening.

Also I found with my anxiety that my life had narrowed so that I was focusing on work, not exercising, not keeping up with friends, not switching off. Putting self-care and more balanced thoughts in place was a start to righting my mood.

Setraline and tapping therapy like @mulesrules.

I have shifted some deep seated stuff with it.

It saved me during some very intense grief as well.

Following as I too have crippling anxiety.
Hugs op . It’s horrible.

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned breathing exercises.

When becoming anxious take a deep slow breath in then breath it all out like you are blowing up a balloon. It lowers your cortisol levels and relieves some of the anxiety build up.

Also, when becoming anxious you might not realise it, but you are probably not breathing properly. Your breathing could be shallower or you might even notice that you are holding your breath.

So, become mindful of your breathing. Focus on breathing in and breathing out. This will be physically helpful for your body and your brain and will make sure you have enough oxygen. Also, focussing on your breathing brings you into the present moment.

Sometimes we can have so many thoughts running through our head that we lose touch with just being in the present moment. It can be very grounding and calming.

That was meant to say: Focusing on the present moment such as your breathing can be grounding and calming.