I can' t calm down - help

lisalee · Post by **lisalee** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:08 pm

I can not calm down. I can only stay busy so long. I need to relax! If anybody has any suggestions that would be wonderful. I can't stand this feeling. It is constant anxiety not just the panic attacks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:21 pm

It's the fear of anxiety that keeps you like this. Anxiety can not hurt you in any way. Accept that you're feeling anxious and do some deep sloow breathing. You're going to be fine

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:39 pm

Tommy boy is right but if you want to relax turn on some mellow music like jazz or sounds of nature slow your pace, warm you a hot cup of tea decaf. of course and fill the air with wonderful smells of scented candle or oils etc.......this is just in case you dont have the relaxtion tape by Lucinda.Good luck and stay strong keep your head up.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:37 pm

thank you both. i will give it all a try. it means a lot to have this input

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:43 pm

I know this feeling as well, it can be difficult I find exercise helps me. I'm usually pretty anxious when I start with it, and sometimes I want to stop but usually if I push through it, I feel better afterward. I do simple exercise like yoga or walking. Even a good 15 minute walk around the neighborhood does wonders for my anxiety.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:52 pm

I am having a hard time with exercising in the beginning but I try to keep doing it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:16 pm

I agree about the walk and the breathing. And then eventually I have to just make myself stop. . .maybe journal or read or something quiet. And realize that even if you stop and the anxiety increases for a bit. . . it won't hurt you. It's just adrenaline and eventually if you let it, it will wear off.

I'm feeling antsy myself right now because I just watched a scary show with my husband. I knew better and by the time it was over (Fringe) I was shaking and having scary thoughts. I know that if I just accept that anxiety, that in a matter of 30 minutes to an hour it will calm down and I'll be just fine.

It's easier said than done but this is the key to finally getting over letting this rule us. (IMHO)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:35 pm

I can relate to being anxious after watching a scary show. For me it's medical drama's ie greys anatomy, House.. Even though I love the shows if I'm having a lot of anxiety in my life, I need to steer clear from watching them. Otherwise it makes things worse.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:04 am

dragonfly: actually, I'd recommend you not steer clear of them. That would be avoidance and just feeds into them being dangerous. They aren't, they are just TV shows. I'd actually recommend that you keep watching them, when the feelings come on, just laugh that the show is giving you a good scare or a rush of adrenaline, and say "Bring it on".

Faith: funny you mention that as I watched Fringe last night too. I had the same feeling with last weeks show which caught me off guard. But I told myself that it is just a show and when the adrenaline or scare came, I didn't turn it into "oh no i'm going to panic", I just recognized the little bit of anxiety, did some deep breathing, and tried to laugh it off. No problem with last nights show.....it is a well written well acted show, kind of like the old X-files. The guy who plays the crazy doctor is hilarious and very good in his role. Look for reasons to enjoy it, not to be fearful of it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 1:31 pm

I'm not sure if I agree. I mean, certainly we don't want to start avoiding things. But, avoiding a TV show is not like not going out with friends or something. I consider it the same as a roller coaster ride. There's nothing saying you HAVE to ride a roller coaster (I used to but as I have gotten older I black out).

The preview of next week showed a guy predicting people dying, etc. . . this week freaked me out thinking about the serial killers.

Seems like I read somewhere that feeding our minds with negative scary creepy movies and TV shows is not healthy. Maybe I'm wrong.

The irony is I can watch true life stories about crime and it doesn't bother me, but I don't like things jumping out at me for example, and watching something that exciting right before bed means that I am up another hour or two calming down. It's just not worth it.

I CAN watch it if I choose to, but what's the point?

I talked to my psychologist about my issue of not liking to get overheated too. . .and he said that some people just aren't as comfortable in the heat as others, and me trying to force myself out in it when my body clearly doesn't handle it well is a little silly. (I'm talking Texas July heat 100 degrees or more)