Told to rest but can't relax

[Exhaustedmum01]

As per the title.

Literally on doctors orders I've been told to rest so I've taken a day off from life and am meant to be doing nothing but just resting as trying to come down from the cortisol and adrenaline but I can't.

Am alternating between napping and crying and am now exhausted and jittery .

Feel so ungrateful that I've got this day that I obviously need and I can't make the most of it.

I just want to go back to sleep.

I think I prefer being busy and stressed tbh!

Could you watch something distracting on Netflix or similar, or listen to a podcast/audiobook?
I find that I can fall asleep better with the radio on than in silence.

This sounds so familiar. Recently I've found a couple of things that help.
Calm app - you can download a free version. I've used a couple of breathing/grounding sessions that have really helped me soothe the jitteriness.
YouTube yoga with Adrienne - I've done shorter, gentler sessions. As well as the breathing being soothing, I feel like I've accomplished something which helps me with those "must make the most of this precious time!" thoughts.

I've just done some gentle baking for when the DC get home and felt my heart start to slow a little. Debating having a cup of tea in the garden I haven't been outside yet today. Counting down the hours until everyone is back and I'm I'm my usual busy routine again and hopefully the anxiety will go. Feel like I've wasted the day. I was taken by surprise with how exhausted I am but also the relief that there's no demands on me today but equally that felt overwhelming

Long bath with lavender oil, soft music.A soothing cup of tea. Vigorous exercise until your muscles ache and you collapse exhausted. I know how you feel OP. At times, the only way to wind down is to work out really really hard. I hope you find the magic destressor

I think the fact you feel that you've wasted your day, by allowing yourself to nap and cry, is a sign that you need more than a days rest.

See if you can get outside and feel the fresh air. A little walk, pulling up weeds, or just sitting. And if it feels wasteful, remember that you've been fitting in more into your days, than a person should and that you are just claiming that time back now.

I am a convert to non sleep deep rest. Lots on YouTube. Takes 10 minutes.

Counting down the hours until everyone is back and I'm I'm my usual busy routine again and hopefully the anxiety will go. This sounds unhealthy. If you use busyness to distract from anxiety, the anxiety is left unresolved. It is healthier to try to reduce the anxiety.

Definitely @OhYouBadBadKitten I've got almost a decade of broken nights sleep to catch up on!

Going to try and do this again one day next week. Today has flown by.