As you guys may know I've been having a dodgy couple of weeks. Well today it dawned on me why, its to much free time, The problems started when I got my annual leave from work a few weeks ago, then last weekend had more problems, had an excellent week and even today got up at 5.30am just full of excitement that I was off work, but an hour latter BAM!! anxious, bored, depressed, frustrated!!!
Its really annoying that I can't relax without getting anxious and depressed, are any of you guys like this?
To Much Free Time Is The Cause Of My Anxiety!!
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Guest
Yes! I'm a college student, and summer vacation has been a rollercoaster. The first few weeks before my summer job started were very hard (at this time I hadn't figured out anxiety was my problem). Now, when I have work during the week I'm most content, because at the end of 8 hours I'm tired and can relax at night.
But now it's Saturday morning and this is when I wake up feeling edgy for no reason at all--simply because I know I'll have no distractions from my anxiety. I know precisely how you feel. Though I'm listening to the first session CD for the 2nd time, did the relaxation CD, and am feeling much more at ease. I'm hopeful about the program and that has helped.
I totally feel for you! Try to take comfort in the thought that you're not alone.
But now it's Saturday morning and this is when I wake up feeling edgy for no reason at all--simply because I know I'll have no distractions from my anxiety. I know precisely how you feel. Though I'm listening to the first session CD for the 2nd time, did the relaxation CD, and am feeling much more at ease. I'm hopeful about the program and that has helped.
I totally feel for you! Try to take comfort in the thought that you're not alone.
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Guest
I know exactly what you mean. My anxiety was no where to be found until I was in between jobs and spent a LOT of time in the house with a LOT of time to think. So yes...when I have nothing to do for a while, my mind will go, and that lovely thing called anxiety (along with obsessive thinking) will show it's ugly face again.
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Guest
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Guest
Im the same way, though maybe even more so. Work is stressful, but when Im there at least Im occupied. When I come home at the end of the day I am exhausted, I do what needs to be done (exercise, eat, clean, whatever), but I find myself being anxious. Weekends, when most people are happy, are diffucult for me. The reason is I really dont know what to do without being occupied by work. I mean on weekdays, when I come home I know Im going to work the next day, but on weekends I dont know what to pass the time with.
Ive began to think that my lack of direction and feeling of purpose in life is the major driving force of my anxiety and depression. I dont have any goals for or aspirations of what to do with my life. A real lack of meaning.
Ive began to think that my lack of direction and feeling of purpose in life is the major driving force of my anxiety and depression. I dont have any goals for or aspirations of what to do with my life. A real lack of meaning.
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Guest
I am exactly the same in regards to goals etc, I just sort of float along the river of life with no real direction.Originally posted by AnthonyJM:
Im the same way, though maybe even more so. Work is stressful, but when Im there at least Im occupied. When I come home at the end of the day I am exhausted, I do what needs to be done (exercise, eat, clean, whatever), but I find myself being anxious. Weekends, when most people are happy, are diffucult for me. The reason is I really dont know what to do without being occupied by work. I mean on weekdays, when I come home I know Im going to work the next day, but on weekends I dont know what to pass the time with.
Ive began to think that my lack of direction and feeling of purpose in life is the major driving force of my anxiety and depression. I dont have any goals for or aspirations of what to do with my life. A real lack of meaning.
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Guest
AnthonyJM, I recommend you read "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl. The Logotherapy part of the book is very powerful and will help you find meaning in your life.Originally posted by AnthonyJM:
Im the same way, though maybe even more so. Work is stressful, but when Im there at least Im occupied. When I come home at the end of the day I am exhausted, I do what needs to be done (exercise, eat, clean, whatever), but I find myself being anxious. Weekends, when most people are happy, are diffucult for me. The reason is I really dont know what to do without being occupied by work. I mean on weekdays, when I come home I know Im going to work the next day, but on weekends I dont know what to pass the time with.
Ive began to think that my lack of direction and feeling of purpose in life is the major driving force of my anxiety and depression. I dont have any goals for or aspirations of what to do with my life. A real lack of meaning.
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Guest
Hey Celeron,
I can completely relate to your struggles with free time. At the turn of the year I left my former occupation to do stay-at-home work. One would think that the ideal lifestyle but it was hardly so. I found myself anxiety-stricken and really self-absorbed. While I am gainfully employed again I find my free time to be good but I also feel the 'pull' to sit & dwell inside myself and that is when I get anxious the most. I also feel a lack of direction as if I 'should' be doing something but can barely define what that would be. I don't feel completely involved in my own life and for that I think I suffer. Maybe instead of sitting & dwelling in my free time I could get up and do something to occupy my time? But I so often feel 'stuck' inside and it is hard to break that cycle.
I can completely relate to your struggles with free time. At the turn of the year I left my former occupation to do stay-at-home work. One would think that the ideal lifestyle but it was hardly so. I found myself anxiety-stricken and really self-absorbed. While I am gainfully employed again I find my free time to be good but I also feel the 'pull' to sit & dwell inside myself and that is when I get anxious the most. I also feel a lack of direction as if I 'should' be doing something but can barely define what that would be. I don't feel completely involved in my own life and for that I think I suffer. Maybe instead of sitting & dwelling in my free time I could get up and do something to occupy my time? But I so often feel 'stuck' inside and it is hard to break that cycle.
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Guest
my thoughts exactly!! When I became a stay-at-home mom once again, I found myself "idle". I know it sounds contradictory..being a full time mom of twins and sitting "idle", but I find myself "in my head" way too much.(I need some stimulating conversation..LOL..Old mcdonald had a farm just doesn't quite cut it..) I find it difficult to "be in the moment" as lucinda states. As long as I stay busy and force myself to be in that moment, the anxiousness lifts. We are naturally very energetic people and need to find ways to keep busy. The trick is to use our anxious energy for something constructive and positive. On a positive note,,we are FAR from being lazy 
..floating with the uncomfortable "feelings" and symptoms is what I struggle with the most. It's not the anxiety itself that I 'fear", it's the symptoms..but that's what the program tells us anyways.
Take care and God bless you All
Robin
TAke care and God bless
..floating with the uncomfortable "feelings" and symptoms is what I struggle with the most. It's not the anxiety itself that I 'fear", it's the symptoms..but that's what the program tells us anyways.Take care and God bless you All
Robin
TAke care and God bless
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Guest
Yes, I too understand what you mean. I recently semi-retired and am working 10 hours a week at home. I can easily let work morph into my whole life and put in many more than 10 hours (don't get paid overtime). Lucinda's tapes have certainly helped and I also now schedule activities and/or get togethers with friends, or outings with my husband who is also retired.
If I have committment to do something with someone else this seems to help. I am also doing better at taking time each day for exercise, and daily meditation/ spiritual readings and prayer, and have to take one day at a time with this. I find reading novels and other interesting books to help also. Take care.
If I have committment to do something with someone else this seems to help. I am also doing better at taking time each day for exercise, and daily meditation/ spiritual readings and prayer, and have to take one day at a time with this. I find reading novels and other interesting books to help also. Take care.