EXTREME stress

[camdenn]

Posting for traffic, has anyone gone through an incredibly stressful situation in life? How have you recovered and how long did it take you to feel normal?

I’m not going to bore you with my life but it’s a combination of bereavement of a parent involving police/court action, financial difficulties, weight gain, family issues etc. I feel like I’ll get through the worst of it in a month. But until then my heart is racing 24/7

A good grounding exercises to keep you "in your body" as PP put it, when your heart and mind is racing is;

Name
5 things you can see
4 things you can feel
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste (can keep mints, sweets, gum handy to help with this bit).

Also 7/11 breathing, so in for 7 and out for 11.

When I'm in the midst of a blind panic I literally have to take it second by second. Breathing apps and setting clear boundaries about what you can and can't achieve that day help.

If I'm generally feeling a bit frazzled I find a good uphill stompy walk helps burn off the nervous energy. Me huffing and puffing up the hill seems to eat into the anxious Adrenalin feeling. I quite like walking up to the trig point on a local hill and then looking at the view with the wind in my face. Reminds me that the world goes on despite what I'm battling against.

Thinking of you

Aww thank you all. Gonna read over all the posts now, really appreciate you posting and being here to listen to my 3am rant x

Yes I had a really stressful few years culminating in a serious mental health breakdown . I had issues with my dad being addicted to Valium and was scared of the medications prescribed. There were lots of issues involved and I felt I lost who I was. I certainly lost the plot . Didn’t sleep for weeks and had to be sectioned .
i did try to meditate and it didn’t really help at all so that’s interesting reading it can make problems worse .
Afterwards they told me it took years to get into that state as I was very wary of getting back into that state. I was literally in hell in my head and so understand why some people commit suicide.
Sorry if this sounds bleak so will mention what could help. As someone says the vagus nerve is the nerve that will relax you . So look up ways to relax it .
Promethazine is an over the counter sleeping pill that really helps with sleep and if you can sleep you will be able to cope better .
EFT Tapping is a natural way of relaxing your body and mind . Get referred for CBT . Exercise and getting out in fresh air and nature . Try not to focus on problems as it becomes self fulfilling . My severe stress coincided with the menopause so that is something else to consider .