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Original poster

Anxiety all time high today... any self care tips greatly appreciated.

21 replies

redhatwhitebeard · 03/12/2023 11:09

This weekend my anxiety has taken hold. It's been made worse by eating bad food and drinking lots of caffeine and sugary drinks. About to go for a long walk in the cold to shake it off. Any other self care tips to tame the beast...!

OP posts:
Minimum85percentCocoa · 03/12/2023 11:10

Nice big bubble bath with a podcast on/book in the bath to help distract from the anxious thoughts?

LadyBird1973 · 03/12/2023 11:14

How old are you? My anxiety went through the roof when I started perimenopause and I didn't realise it was a symptom for ages - didn't even realise my levels of anxiety were abnormal because I was so in the middle of it.

Maybe see the GP?

In the meantime just do whatever normally gives you the most relaxation.

Minimum85percentCocoa · 03/12/2023 12:40

Agree re peri. I’ve always suffered with anxiety and am on citalopram for it, but at certain times of the month recently I get crippling thoughts and an horrific sense of impending doom. I have enough ‘tools’ from anxiety treatment in the past to help me recognise it for what it is but it’s an awful few days to get through the other side.

purplehue · 03/12/2023 12:55

Go for a walk. Spend wine looking and listening to what's around you.

Come back and bake a cake. Following a recipe makes you concentrate and takes your mind away from how you're feeling. The smells when baking are comforting and eating thethe freshly baked cake is good for the soul.

Pippylongstock · 03/12/2023 12:58

Drink lots of water and caffeine free tea. If there are specific things you are fixated on can you journal/write them down. Clean sheets to help at bed time.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 03/12/2023 13:04

Go for a walk. Spend wine looking and listening to what's around you

Fabulous Freudian typo there

PTSDBarbiegirl · 03/12/2023 13:08

Try to keep doing things, you'll get the positive feedback after and it will help. Do something absorbing, watch a series, read a book, listen to a podcast in the bath! A simple thing that helps me is washing my face with freezing water, using a lovely smelling soap or lotion on hands, dry with a warm clean towel, it just shocks me into distraction. Make soup oralittle ginger cake that will make your house smell good. 💐

WavingCatsandDogs · 03/12/2023 13:59

Tapping therapy, it's marvellous!

Startingagainandagain · 03/12/2023 14:11

I have had issues with anxiety and stress for a long time (I am autistic and have a history of depression) and what has helped me includes:

  • listening to/doing a guided meditation first thing in the morning and before bed. I just use YouTube guided meditations.
  • Eating well
  • doing some exercise. I started Pilates last year and find it really relaxing
  • go for a walk
  • avoid listening to the news too much
  • playing some relaxing sounds in the background (birds, sea, forest) again just from YouTube.

If issues get on top of you though and stops you from functioning you might want to speak to your GP. HRT, anti-depressants and therapy can also help long term if you can't manage your anxiety in other ways. Don't hesitate to get help and support for it.

Original poster
redhatwhitebeard · 03/12/2023 14:19

Thanks lovely ladies! Amazing suggestions. Actually paid £15 and booked two hours in a spa (just swam and relaxed)! I've always suffered from horrendous anxiety but have cut out booze and stopped smoking and it has really helped! I'm a single mum who works full time and some work stress trigged this off on Friday. I am also 41, so could be perimenopause too!I am constantly worried about making a mistake at work that will bring the whole business down (I'm in a mid level position) and when I do make a
Mistake I fixate on it for days. Loads of fabulous suggestions. I really appreciate you advice and kind words of help xxx

OP posts:
DingDongMerrilyWithPie · 03/12/2023 14:22

Wishing you all the best OP. I tried CBT, Paul Mckenna hypnotherapy, exercise, walking in nature and added to cutting out caffeine, alcohol and eating better, I got better. Also taking Vitamin D and B

LadyBird1973 · 03/12/2023 17:13

HRT patches have really helped my anxiety - might be worth looking into

Hattie1970abc · 03/12/2023 17:17

7/11 breathing. Recently taught technique. Breath in slowly for 7 seconds. Pause. Exhale slowly for 11 seconds. Pause before starting again. If you do this when you feel anxious and also throughout the day. Also, watch something funny so that it distracts you from the anxious thought cycle. Hope these help.

Minimum85percentCocoa · 03/12/2023 22:04

Well thank you for starting this thread. It’s easy to feel alone with anxiety but hearing from others and reading these suggestions has helped me too.

I totally get the worrying about work thing. I presented in a meeting a couple of weeks ago and spent the whole night afterwards worried that I’d talked too much and come across really awfully. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and my thoughts just spiralled into how I was letting people down at work and I wasn’t as good as I thought I was. Only for my boss to compliment me the next day saying I was really confident and knew my stuff and said exactly what was needed (!). I try and remember moments like this when I get anxious and sometimes it helps; it’s like ‘oh my brain’s doing that thing again that it does when I’m anxious’ rather than believing the negative self-talk.

Minimum85percentCocoa · 03/12/2023 22:08

WavingCatsandDogs · 03/12/2023 13:59

Tapping therapy, it's marvellous!

Please do you have any links for a good way to start learning about this? I’ve heard it mentioned before but don’t really know much about it.

Squiggles23 · 03/12/2023 23:12

You can just YouTube it @Minimum85percentCocoa

Alternate nostril breathing is also meant to be good.

Nomorecoconutboosts · 03/12/2023 23:15

I was about to suggest swimming and then saw you had been.
I go 2/3 times a week.
Try to swim under the water for a bit, the pressure is very good for stress. I find also I can reflect on things but in a positive and realistic rather than anxious way. Usually go in the morning on day off (work shifts) but evening is also good. I am very fortunate I pay a gym membership so use the sauna etc as well. The heat is mentally and physically therapeutic.

Copperoliverbear · 03/12/2023 23:35

Obviously stay away from any caffeine,sugar drinks, chocolate as much as possible.
If you can stand it try St John Walt tea or take kalms either are good but can't be taken together. X

WavingCatsandDogs · 07/12/2023 00:19

@Minimum85percentCocoa I use an app called the Tapping Solution. Some of it is free, otherwise paid but frankly I've spent a lot of money on therapy and this is worth the money.

Also look at You Tube.

LongAndWindingRoads · 07/12/2023 00:31

What l have learnt is that life has a way of working out no matter what.
When l feel myself becoming anxious l just tell myself "It doesn't matter." I don't dwell on it. I find listening to some music and having a good old dance can work miracles, move your body, move your mind. Writing it out also helps.

Pelham678 · 07/12/2023 07:50

WavingCatsandDogs · 07/12/2023 00:19

@Minimum85percentCocoa I use an app called the Tapping Solution. Some of it is free, otherwise paid but frankly I've spent a lot of money on therapy and this is worth the money.

Also look at You Tube.

Brad Yates is very good. He has a tapping routine for almost any scenario - confidence, anger, low self esteem etc. Loads of different scripts on YouTube and much cheaper than signing up for something subscription based.

Also Paige Pradko is very good on anxiety and has lots of tips on YouTube.

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