To ask how being relaxed feels?

[TheoriginalLEM]

I don't think I can remember how it feels.

It's not that i don't get time to relax. I do. I work long hours but have no commute and I get a day off, although i use it to study.

I have anxiety and my mind is always racing. I find it impossible to stop worrying aboit things, either actual things or catastrophising over things that might happen. I spend ages replaying conversations in my head trying to figure out what i said wrong or similar.

But I do have times when im just thinking random shite, watching a sunset or a film. Walking in the woods either alone or with dp. Is that what it feels like?

This isn't self pity just wo deri g if i am relaxing without realising?

I rarely relax. I get bored doing just sitting. I can watch a tv programme and thats it. I can't just sit and have nothing going on around me.

I get bored lying in a bath. I get in, i shave and I get out!

It's taken me years to realise my relaxing is doing.

I'm just not a sit down and do nothing person, relaxing for me means baking, running, cleaning - and contentment is that satisfied feeling of achievement.

I find it impossible to stop worrying aboit things, either actual things or catastrophising over things that might happen. I spend ages replaying conversations in my head trying to figure out what i said wrong or similar.

Have you tried distraction - realise you are doing it then saying Stop and doing something engaging like watching tv. reading or heading out somewhere- or re-playing tunes or tv shows or films in your head?

Personally I find it's reading where I relax - something engaging but not taxing. I'm mentally occupied but physically resting.

Though I still need hot showers and baths to relax my body when I've been tense or getting someone to brush my hair that also seems to physically relax me or a vibrating cat.

vibrating cat

What's that?!

Haven’t a clue tbh.

I have adhd so don’t really ‘do’ relaxed in the normal sense. Like you my mind is always racing, usually in several directions at once. But I’m about as far from anxious as it’s possible to be without being in a coma. At the risk of contradicting myself I’m permanently wired but quite relaxed about life in general and definitely become calmer in myself the more chaotic or stressful the situation/ life is.

I’ve always assumed the common nt experience of feeling relaxed is how I’ve felt when on adhd meds. A kind of nothing going on and no impulse to do anything or think too much about it.

vibrating cat - a purring cat - means one of our cats has deemed me worthy of being an acceptable bed/seat - surpsingly restful till you have to think about moving.

Ill tell you when I find out 😂😂

I also have a very demanding job, lots of work after hours, constant stream of emails and Skype messages at all hours. Is it worth it for the money? Really? Plus severe anxiety and a very very complicated stressful teen.

I would love to remember what it's like to actually relax.

One word for you Sertraline. Total game changer for anxiety wish I'd started years ago

I find it really hard to relax. One thing for me is that being on your phone is definitely not relaxing. I find if I spend my commute/evenings on my phone, I'm just as wound up as I was at work. But if I read a book/put on earphones I'm much more relaxed or at least closer to what that is!

Agree being on my phone is not relaxing. I only realised this when I get off the phone and read an actual book.

And yes to pp, my relaxing is doing things like walking, painting, reading, tv, tidying, decluttering.