Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Erica71 04/10/2012

I just wanted to make note of something that I have noticed oft times before but since it's fresh and happened today...I'll go ahead and share. First off...I'm a homemaker...and haven't worked outside the home in years. I have TONS of time to think and like they say....."an idle mind is the devil's workshop"....anyway.....I've been pretty consumed with anxiety lately...especially the last few weeks. Today....I went to my daughter's home game and got involved in the going's on there and my anxiety lifted. I got home last night and my nephew and his girlfriend needed to come over to use the computer for a bit....I enjoyed the visit and again..the anxiety lifted. I find that when I'm busy and engaging in something..anything....my anxiety tends to take a backseat. This is not new information....I'm sure you've all experienced it yourself. But...when it happens to me...it's a wonderful reminder that I just need more healthy stimulation and distraction in my life. The things I do as a housewife...such as ... laundry..dishes....cooking...etcc...they don't take any real mental energy or focus...they don't demand much concentration...I could pretty much do them all in my sleep (exaggeration of course..but you get what I mean.) When I get out of my "routine" and get "out of myself" it always makes me feel so much better...and it reminds me that I need to do it more often. You know, just get out of my own head and focus outward not inward. =)

deleted_user 04/10/2012

You might try some exercises that are called "Mindfulness" they're ways to take those mundane tasks and make them so engrossing that you kind of get out of your own head for a little bit with them too. It can be done with any task. I'd say it might be worth looking into for you.

I'm glad that you had some fun and were able to escape your anxiety for a while.

deleted_user 04/11/2012

i very much agree with you...i live in my head, as my therapist says and it is best to stay busy with things you enjoy....when i am with people my anxiety lifts...
i think mindfulness is a great tool.
read some of pema chodron --she is great.
cheers, H

deleted_user 04/11/2012

I know Erica.....I am a stay at home mom too and rarely go anywhere. That's one of the reasons I come here so much. Thinking about other people's anxiety takes me out of my head and puts my attention and focus on something besides myself. My kids are a great distraction, but they can't be my only distraction or I would lose my mind. So this site is one of my tools to not feel so isolated. Plus it helps re-enforce all that I have learned over the years and keep it sticking in my mind.

Its funny because the things that make me feel nervous, such as socializing and changing my routine, are always things that make me feel fantastic once I just suck it up and go do them.

I'm glad that you brought this up because its a really good point and I think if people try it, they will see what you mean.

Pollybizz 04/11/2012

You are so right! I started volunteering again helping to put together the 'meals on wheels'. Just seeing other people and helping out the elderly, the anxiety lifts for a while while I'm helping out.

i have to find more things that require brain power and not just be able to do it without thinking......Good LUck.

deleted_user 04/11/2012

I agree that many times when my mind is actively engaged I do well. I know that from time to time I to get stuck inside my own head and it is terrible.

I am a career guy, but work a lot from home, so, I have a lot of time to myself. Not always a good thing.

Been going into the office more, try and talk to people, but this topic, my anxiety comes up more than it use to, so I know I am more messed up than I use to be.

litebrite 04/11/2012

Thanks for posting this. I am a stay at home mom too for many years as well. One reason I made the decision to address my issues by going to therapy is because of the anxiety I have with my first child getting so close to leaving home. My children have been my identity.

One thing that has been helpful for me is after my therapy I have a good cry and then go shopping or just window shopping. :) It gets me out of the house which is hard for me to do. My therapist tells me to do something for myself that day especially. It has been helpful.

I have a hard time as you said "getting out of my head" and taking time to relax which goes along with anxiety. I don't know HOW to relax. I am learning.

I also come here to get my mind off of my own stuff and see how others deal with it. It is comforting.

deleted_user 04/11/2012

I find it ironic that I can come here and usually post some of my own experiences or even give some advice and then feel better.

I guess this is sort of therapy, I do know it helps me know I am not alone.

Pollybizz 04/11/2012

I know the 'average' person will look at you oddly if you tell them you can't get out of your own head or don't know how to relax. It is helpful to know we aren't alone.

I'd like to know how everyone/anyone here has learned to relax. Every time someone tells me to relax I want to scream that if I knew how, I would....

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