Stress Center Peer Support

I've made a connection lately now that it's hot down here in Texas. . . it seems like I tend to be more susceptible to anxiety when I get overheated. I'm trying not to associate it because I want to be able to do things outdoors during the summer. . . but I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this.

The other thing is that water is not my favorite thing and my family tends to want to go to the pool a lot. I don't want to be a downer or be left out, but I'd much rather sit and read than play in the pool. I keep trying to convince myself to gt in and play but I just really don't enjoy it so much.

Any feedback on this?

Hi Chris,

I don't think your family would mind if you got a lounge chair and just relaxed by the pool somewhere, (hopefully where you can find some shade) and read an enjoyable book. At least you'll be making the effort to be out with your family, even if you choose not to get in the pool. Good luck!

Your friend, Dee

Chris I think Dee has a good idea. I think that your family just wants your presence there.
Just keep telling yourself positive things.
What if I go and I have a good time. I am sure that after it gets to hot you might get in the pool for a few minutes and love it.
We are going to get this out of our lives and think positive one day at a time.

Originally posted by DPantoja:
Hi Chris,

I don't think your family would mind if you got a lounge chair and just relaxed by the pool somewhere, (hopefully where you can find some shade) and read an enjoyable book. At least you'll be making the effort to be out with your family, even if you choose not to get in the pool. Good luck!

Your friend, Dee

Well actually that's not true. Whenever I sit by the pool, my husband and my daughter at always make a point of mentioning it and trying to urge me to get in and swim and play.

I used to have this problem before I learned to control my anxiety so I assume it was my thoughts in regards to my body's reaction to the heat that caused my problems. I'll still get the sensations but I quickly counter the thoughts in a tea form and always feel fine now.

Originally posted by MargieP:
I'll still get the sensations but I quickly counter the thoughts in a tea form and always feel fine now.

That's reassuring. What do you mean "in a tea form" though?

Hi Chris I'm glad my note was encouraging. After I finished Lucinda's program I joined a cbt program based on the TEA form exercise in Sam Obitz's cbt book. It's a simple thought countering exercise where you find the errors in your thoughts that cause your anxiety and then fix the thought to be more realistic and less reactionary, they are real comforting once you get the hang of them.

hey chris when they urge you to get in and play tell them to get out and read.

hahahah
you dont have to have all the same likes its ok for everyone to do thier own thing together.

as for the heat YES the warmer I get the worse I feel...I never leave my house even to the backyard without ice water and I bring a spray bottle with me if Im going to be outside a longtime when I get hot I mist myself down.
try it you can get a cheap spray thingy at the store for like a dollar

they sell those things for you neck too you soak them in water till they expand to activate them then you just keep them in the fidge all season....they stay nice and cool you tie them loosly around your neck and they keep you cool for a long long time.

Summers here I love it but I have to keep cool!
LOL
Dodger

Originally posted by Dodger:
hey chris when they urge you to get in and play tell them to get out and read.

hahahah
you dont have to have all the same likes its ok for everyone to do thier own thing together.
Dodger

Good point. I have a habit of taking it as a personal attack when they say it. I probably need to stop that. I'm not sure if that's the way they mean it or not... but for example my daughter will tell me how fun her Daddy is because he'll play in the water and then a while later will ask me why I just sit by side the whole time. It makes me feel like a loser. . . and I feel I need to get myself motivated to do it which makes me feel manipulated. . . and who wants to feel like that? That's something I'm working on in my life right now. I feel manipulated a LOT and I'm trying distinguish between my own thoughts and the intentions of the person saying stuff; know what I mean?

My husband will make a little comment about the laundry not being put away for example and I'll take it so seriously I get very upset. And he's saying he's just playing around. Still haven't figured that one out yet.

Absolutely the heat and humidity for me in the summer really plays havoc with my anxiety. I think especially the humidity. I had A/C installed in my house to keep it cool during the summer. I think the humidity makes it hard to breathe and then not being able to take nice long breaths makes me anxious. I am also like Dodger. I always have ice water with me if I go outside in the summer. Take care, Rob.