Stress Center Peer Support

I'm new to this and kind of shy. Anyway I find that when I listen to the relaxation tape my mind just keeps going with all my worries and thoughts. I try to focus on the tape but my mind won't shut off! I'm in my first week of the program so I hope this will stop. I also wanted to know why is it on some days when I'm lucky enough not to have too much anxiety I make myself more anxious by thinking about when its going to get worse again?

Hello Mikki1968,
Welcome to the program! I'm so excited for you. I to couldn't relax during the relaxation cd but that only lasted for about a week. When I now listen to it it puts me in a calming relaxed mode. Thoughts are always going to be racing through your mind but the exciting part of this program is that you will learn how to cope with it. I am in my 4th week and today I actually handled some issues before I even realized it and I stayed calm. What an awesome accomplishment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! take your time enjoy the program. All you have to lose is your anxiety and depression. Praise Jesus! God Bless and good luck

i am exactly the same way. i went to see a hypnotherapist last week and i was lying on his couch and as he was talking with his soothing voice (exactly like a relaxation tape) i couldnt turn my thoughts or worries off. afterwards he asked if i struggled and i said yes and he said he could tell and that a lot of people struggle in the begining and will learn how to relax better with practice. And what you seem to have is anticipatory anxiety.thats exactly what i get too. when im happy or content ill think about it and than let myself get down again. i guess we have to do positive self talk while feeling that way. know we can get better and replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. youre so not alone

I too have trouble relaxing. Racing thoughts and all. It's just hard for me to visualize. I relax much more and the thoughts go away when I get engrossed in a movie or sitcom. Reading is harder, but works if I can concentrate. Both are great distractions for me.

Hi, I was just in a waiting room reading some women's magazine and they detailed a way to relax with a racing mind. They said to do a breathing exercise by counting to ten and then from ten back to one. So, you would say to yourself "one" while breathing in for three seconds and then say "relax" while breathing out for three seconds. Just normal breaths. Then "two", while breathing in for three seconds and "relax" while breathing out. Count up to ten and then back to one. They said that your mind gets distracted from its racing thoughts when you have to concentrate on the numbers. Worth a shot. Maybe it would get your thoughts tamped down and then you could start the tape. Good luck!

I would also recommend going for a long walk to help get rid of some of your stress. Helps me.