Small steps support thread?

[Soddingepiphany]

I was thinking of making some small changes to try to get on top of my anxiety and wondered if anyone wanted to join me? Just recently my anxiety has gone through the roof and I have given myself gastritis with all the stressing, the anxiety is starting to feel overwhelming so I NEED to be proactive, not something that will come easily when I just want to curl up in a ball and hide from the world!

My plan for this morning is to actually eat even though I feel sick. Then I will get dressed and take my toddler and dog for a walk. My longer term plan is to get on my cross trainer regularly, do some of that mindful colouring (I thought it was a faddy thing but it does help me stop thinking for a while), and to take it one day at a time!

If anyone wants to join me please do.

Typically raining now so waterproofs on!! I love swimming too though I'm not the best! Sometimes I just count with each stroke a bit like a meditation. Or say calm. I hope you have a lovely lunch and well done on asking for help!

2am and the world is a very different place. So Fed up of waking full of anxiety. Fed up of not being able to eat properly. Though oddly I feel less weepy and the adrenaline rushes aren't as bad as they have been it's still so frustrating.

Joto thanks for the congratulations. Other person was extremely helpful and understanding. My thoughts are all over the place, but I did manage to have a lovely lunch and get what I needed to get done, done. Did you manage to get any sleep after you posted?

Swimming is meditative for me; walking is the same.

Hope you have a good Easter Monday everyone.

Good morning, how is everyone today?

I seem to have a better grip on the anxiety the last few days but almost let things slide yesterday morning by not eating and rushing around needlessly causing myself stress. I intend to slow myself down today and try to realise I don't have to be being productive all the time!

Morning all - yes I slept ok but kept waking up with adrenaline rushes which is horrible. Not eating doesn't help I know that one the hard way. It actually feeds the adrenaline because of low blood sugar which then increases anxious feelings and then the roundabout starts!!! I had a huge cry this morning and feel better now. Hope we all have a good day x

Better day today - ate Ok and had a nice day at the beach. A couple of anxious wobbles but i rode it out. Hope everyone else is ok 😊😊

Sorry for ranting but I'm so very fed up with this anxiety. Went to bed 9pm and listened to my audio book. Fell asleep feeling relaxed. 2am anxiety surges chest pains tingling arms and that's it for sleep of any quality. Odd thing is though I can turn over to try settle and it goes. For about 30 seconds! Off for a nice walk once ive managed to wake up xx

Joto no need to apologise! Anxiety is horrible. Hope your walk goes well. I'm doing something difficult today so need a hand hold. Trying to stay grounded but it isn't easy. Have already drunk two cups of camomile tea, still shaking! I'll be okay, it's a matter of getting through it.

Sodding how are you today?

Joto - I know that feeling. The adrenaline surges are horrible, I've tried to explain them to other people and they don't get it. They give advice on breathing and counting to relax and get to sleep, but I find the problem is that when you enter the relaxed state the body responds with the adrenaline again.

I didn't know about the low blood sugar, thanks for that info.

I'm going for my first appointment with a therapist later today - possibly for CBT but she does other techniques too.

Erinaceus - here to hold your hand. Do you want to talk about what it is you're doing?

Joto, don't apologise that's what this thread is for. I know it must be so frustrating but remember the positive steps you take during the day for your anxiety will have an effect on the night time, I know it's easy to say but don't be disheartened, you will figure this out.

Erin, we're here if you need to talk about anything.

NotJanine, I hope you find your appointment helpful, let us know how you get on.

I'm keeping busy but in a much more relaxed way than usual, actively making sure I don't rush about feeling like everything is getting on top of me, I call this my 'Give less of a shit method'. Surprisingly I am getting more done now that I've stopped worrying about everything that needs to get done!

Hi all!

Epiphany - Firstly I love the give less of a shit method! I even decided to start walking slower as im always dashing around so will now adopt this too. I suggest writing a book and making your fortune 😉😉😉 thanks for the supportive words. I always feel worse when not at work as that's where I do my best distraction . I need to look at why I've got into this state though.
Erin - likewise here if needrd
Janine - interested to know how it went? I can get to sleep no problem but it's staying asleep. Especially as someone snores and on holiday so I don't have a spare room!!!!

The walk was lovely. So proud of myself as I had a couple of wobbles but it was stunning scenery. My hips are complaining now though!!!!!

Hi guys just want to add I am familiar with the adrenaline surge night time / morning wake ups, they are horrible. I've had them less recently but quite worried about my upcoming work travel as jet lag makes it worse and so does waking up in a strange place. The blood sugar thing probably explains a lot. It helps to think there is a physical reason rather than your brain just being silly.

Joto I am glad you enjoyed your walk. I know what you mean about work being a good distraction - sometimes it's very disconcerting to actually relax / not have anything to do.

I've had to slow right down as pregnancy is making me very tired and I always feel dizzy after lunch. I have escaped morning sickness so far though! And I am feeling a bit less anxious about having an alien parasite controlling my body a lovely baby growing inside me. We told my mum and in laws. They are very excited. Which is nice.

I think I remember reading somewhere that a teaspoon of peanut butter before bed stops your blood sugar dropping in the night, I might actually give that a go to stop me going on nocturnal chocolate hunts! Joto, maybe look into foods that are good for stabilising your blood sugar through the night?

Having more anxiety now than I have the past week because my Fiancé is being odd, he is being very vauge about what is up, no idea if something is actually up or he is playing silly buggers because I am being more direct in asking him to do things. I guess we'll see.

I love peanut butter 😊😊😊😊 will definitely give that a try! Will have a look online too. Grumpy congratulations - the alien quote made me smile!!!

Morning all. A better nights sleep with less anxiety but feel really flat yet calm. From nowhere I've started thinking about the accident (my husband caused it) and also his infidelities. Since then he's been oh so wonderful but I can't help thinking that a lot of my problems are because of him. I looked at him this morning and actually thought I hate everything you did you're ok and I'm left a mess. I'm due to see a counsellor next week for EMDR/therapy and I think maybe not before time. I sometimes cry so hard about what he did I feel my chest will burst. His attitude is I need to stop thinking about it and focus on me but what if 'It' is the real problem. Anyway I'm off on the zipwires today I think 😊😊😊 hope you all have a good day x

Hi Joto

I'm going to be having EMDR too. At my appointment yesterday, she decided that it was the best treatment for me. I completed some questionnaires with her and came out very high in terms of trauma and also anxiety.

She said EMDR can get results very quickly, so fingers crossed for us both. I won't be starting mine for a few weeks, just due to availability.

Is that literal or metaphorical zipwires?

Literal!!!! Though it does look like rain so we'll potter there soon and see. It's only a mile from the holiday cottage. I hope it works for you too - a friend had it and she said she had trauma held she'd forgotten about but it really worked. It seems logical that my anxiety levels shot up after finding out about hubby and then the accident plus i was still reeling from the original affair. I wish I'd done what I was going to pre accident and get rid.

Joto - is it that headfirst really long zip wire?

Noooo not that one!!! You sit in a harness. It takes 2hrs though and can't leave dig for that long so it looks like a no go sadly. May go into the cavern instead x

Hi everyone,

Joto your adventures sound impressive. Not sure I like the sound of a head first zip wire I did not know that such a thing existed!

Thanks everyone for offers of hands to hold. They mean a lot to me. I made it through my small step yesterday 👍🏼 and today as well. Little by little...

Joto sorry you've had such a rough time. Both events must have been traumatic. You are still you, remember. Hope the EMDR helps.

I'm ok today except I'm getting eczema on my hands which is a physical sign of anxiety for me. I feel ok though. Very weird. Flying to the US in 5 days - feeling ok about it but a little apprehensive. Early night tonight snuggling my lovely DD. The best medicine.

How is everyone this morning?

I've got a stinking cold and my anxiety is starting to get out of hand again, going to try to have a relaxed day at home.

Grr just typed and internet died so lost it all!!! Unless it appearance twice 😁😁 morning epiphany - a bit down today. I had a couple of good days but yesterday was just full of anxiety as was sleep last night. Now I just feel flat again and a bit weepy. I just can't motivate myself. The weather is grey as well so that doesn't help. Sertraline sat in toileteries bag which I'm trying not to take as I don't want to feel any worse and taking any meds causes me anxiety. Im also conscious my period is a couple of weeks away and since starting with perimenopause my moods before during and after have declined. Hubby been supportive though and I felt a bit guilty about ranting about him though he bloody deserved it for what he did. Hopefully a nice bath will make me feel brighter 😊😊

And then didn't finish post!!! - cold always make me feel anxious and I put it down to difficulty breathing - hope you feel better soon xxx

Hope the bath made you feel better Joto. Being cold isn't good.

Hope you don't mind me asking, I don't know what your situation is, but have you had counselling with your DH?