I don't know how severe I have this thing called anxiety...I sometimes find myself constantly thinking about how fast my heart is beating, are my hands shaking, do I have chest pain? It is stupid things like this where I tell myself I'm fine and there is nothing wrong but I continue to think about these things. I sometimes avoid working out or doing things that make my heart race. I also sometimes find myself dazing off and checking my pulse. Eventually after a while of thinking about this I sometimes have a panic attack/anxiety attack.
I seem fine when I'm really busy and have things going on, but when I’m just sitting around I feel like I need to get up and do something. I never used to be like this and it just started in my early 20's.
I guess I want to make sure that I’m not alone and to see if anyone has any suggestions. I think a lot of it is mental! And the symptoms come hand in hand. for ex. I don’t eat as much when I have anxiety, which leads to my hands shaking and not having a lot of energy. Any suggestions are welcome, and like I mentioned I think I just need to know I’m not alone to kick these little spells that I have every other week or so.
mild form of anxiety?
You sound a lot like me. As for the eating I used to lose a bunch of weight when I'd go through one of my rough times because I don't want to eat when I'm anxious. But, not eating keeps your blood sugar off whack and that actually makes it worse. Try to get yourself to eat a little snack if you don't want to eat a whole meal. A handful of nuts or a bit of cheese will help a lot.
I also feel better if I'm busy. I have a hard time slowing down. I sometimes have more anxiety on a weekend away or on vacation because my mind wants to go go go.
I have been making progress lately though and forcing myself to slow down and relax. It felt weird at first but I'm getting to enjoy it.
One of the biggest things I've learned this year is redirecting my thoughts and something called ragdoll breathing. If you start to feel anxious, you breath in through your nose. Hold it and count to four, then slowly breath out your mouth and at the same time make your body like a ragdoll and relax those muscles and think of something pleasant. I even think "stop" and try to picture something calming. This doesn't need to be a big deal. I do it at stop lights, and several times throughout the day. I also mentally scan my body for tension (mine is usually in my shoulders or in my hands) and just close my eyes and sort of wiggle it away.
When I have panic attacks I feel sort of all jittery inside like jello, sometimes for the rest of the day. But, I try to ignore those symptoms rather than focus on them, and remind myself it's just the after-effects of adrenaline and that it can't hurt me.
By the way, I think a lot of it, if not almost ALL of it, is mental. Learn positive skills and you'll feel so much better! (the dazing off is common too)
Blessings,
I also feel better if I'm busy. I have a hard time slowing down. I sometimes have more anxiety on a weekend away or on vacation because my mind wants to go go go.
I have been making progress lately though and forcing myself to slow down and relax. It felt weird at first but I'm getting to enjoy it.
One of the biggest things I've learned this year is redirecting my thoughts and something called ragdoll breathing. If you start to feel anxious, you breath in through your nose. Hold it and count to four, then slowly breath out your mouth and at the same time make your body like a ragdoll and relax those muscles and think of something pleasant. I even think "stop" and try to picture something calming. This doesn't need to be a big deal. I do it at stop lights, and several times throughout the day. I also mentally scan my body for tension (mine is usually in my shoulders or in my hands) and just close my eyes and sort of wiggle it away.
When I have panic attacks I feel sort of all jittery inside like jello, sometimes for the rest of the day. But, I try to ignore those symptoms rather than focus on them, and remind myself it's just the after-effects of adrenaline and that it can't hurt me.
By the way, I think a lot of it, if not almost ALL of it, is mental. Learn positive skills and you'll feel so much better! (the dazing off is common too)
Blessings,
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
~~ Ronald Reagan
~~ Ronald Reagan
Thanks for the post. I’m getting better at managing it, I think just because it is so mental you can tell yourself you have been here before and you are fine. When your symptoms first start you are lost and have no clue what is going on. It is very scary! I also feel tension or tightness in my shoulders and throat when I have an attack, also on the weekends when I have down time...this anxiety stuff is more common than I thought. It is good to know I’m not alone!
I will try that breathing technique. My father is on medication for anxiety and I don’t want to go that route because mine is not that bad yet. I just have to stay busy and stay positive!
Thanks!
I will try that breathing technique. My father is on medication for anxiety and I don’t want to go that route because mine is not that bad yet. I just have to stay busy and stay positive!
Thanks!