Always 'in my head'

[sherrystrull]

Over the last year I feel like I've become more and more 'in my head'. My internal thoughts are meaning I find it hard to listen to and concentrate on what other's are saying as my mind wanders and I retreat into my head.

Has anyone else suffered from this? I'm not sure how to stop it happening. It's started to impact on my presence in family life.

My DH has this. What's helped him is giving up caffeine and alcohol and working out. Every other day he works out quite hard. Other helpful tactics include repetitive crafts like cross stitch or colouring in. Are you getting enough exercise and eating well and drinking plenty of water?

Thank you for your reply. I'm glad to hear your DH improved.

I'm absolutely not. I mainly do work or housework. I was wondering if doing more positive things might help.

Yes it definitely would. What sort of things have you enjoyed in the past? Any artistic stuff?

This is happening to me too. I just drift off and don't listen or stare blankly at people. I try to remind repeatedly to listen but I don't and so I end up just replying with a 'hmmm' in the general tone I think fits. I thought I was being selfish and also heightened stress maybe. Didn't even think it could be caffeine related but I drink and excessive amount

Sorry to hear that. It definitely seems like stress has a part to play. Do you manage to have down time?

That sounds really hard and to be honest very similar. I agree that stress seems to play an active part xxx

Absolutely will.

Sit yourself down daily with paper and pen, alone, no distractions.

Set timer for 5 minutes.

Don't worry about WHAT you're actually writing down...just let anything flow out spontaneously.

Even if just a bullet point list of random feelings. Or a particular phrase that's been going round and round in your head.

Helps externalise. I find it frees up a bit of 'clearer' headspace and I can focus a bit better on other people's chat!

(Typing or texting doesn't seem to work the same way. Longhand helps with the processing more).
I think 14 months of lockdowns and general Covid stress is causing (or magnifying) this to happen for many people.