Extremely anxious out in the woods with predators outside please help me calm down

[spiralspiralspiral]

In a property belonging to my in-laws at the moment, out in the woods, it's very wild where we are. We've had an awful week and a loss in the family. I am very tired, which obviously does not help anxiety in any way.

Normally I have a couple of drinks at night to sleep when we're out here (we don't spend much time here, usually) to block out the fear. I am terrified of the coyotes and bears and mountain lions, despite knowing logically they are not going to break into the house. Probably.

I can't describe how anxious I am just knowing they're out there. Despite knowing they don't want anything to do with us.

I can't have a glass of wine now tonight because I took naproxen for awful period pain. I took a beta blocker earlier, but now it's dark and night is coming.

How can I stay calm and sensible? I really need to sleep and I just can't bring myself to think of turning the light off and lying down later, will probably end up watching tv all night which does me no favours for tomorrow!

@itwasntaparty

Yes they do they're protected in that area.

They're protected all over but they'd generally be relocated for their own safety.

Even where they are protected animals will still be relocated or even killed if they develop behaviours that make them over confident (and therefore pot dangerous) around humans @itwasntaparty Often they are transquilised and moved to the back country.

Yes they do they're protected in that area

They don't let them do it. They will be tranquilized and moved and if they keep coming back then they will be euthanized unfortunately.

for example

They do not want bears to become accustomed to seeing humans and their dwellings as a food source, it's extremely dangerous and people encouraging this by feeding them will be fined.

Glad you weren't eaten, OP

I'm glad you are OK, spiral.

I wouldn't like to stay somewhere that was so remote so understand why you were frightened. Don't stay there again!

Don't stay there again!

It's quite important to manage uncomfortable feelings by sitting with them. Nothing will happen to OP, nothing at all. And next time it will be easier. Until eventually she's not worried at all. Or she can become avoidant and just avoid everything even slightly uncomfortable. That way lies phobia and a pretty boring life.

@Porcupineintherough

Even where they are protected animals will still be relocated or even killed if they develop behaviours that make them over confident (and therefore pot dangerous) around humans *@itwasntaparty* Often they are transquilised and moved to the back country.

This is accurate.

It's the same in Australia. Most of our native wildlife is protected, but where I live there are a lot of HUGE saltwater crocodiles, and if they wander out onto the land whilst humans are around and show signs of interest in eating them, they will be captured and either taken to a wildlife sanctuary or humanely killed.

Protected doesn't mean that they get to wander around eating people and we all just shrug our shoulders and leave them to it.