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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Travel for Work

kathryn01
kathryn01
On Sunday, I'm leaving town for 5 nights, and I'm absolutely dreading it. Just writing about makes my skin clammy, and I can feel anxiety starting to bubble up in the pit of my stomach.

It's been a very long time since I've had to be away from home for several nights. I hate everything about it: sleeping in an unfamiliar place, traveling to a large city that makes me feel claustrophobic, leaving my pet under the care of a total stranger, feeling trapped in all day meetings surrounded by total strangers, driving in rush hour traffic when the commute slows to a crawl or stops entirely. The whole thing is very challenging for me.

My therapist has recommended a few coping strategies, and I'm taking some new medication that I'm hoping will help. I also have Xanax on hand just in case I need it.

But part of me is seriously considering emailing my boss and telling him I can't make the trip. It would cost the company a lot of money, and I know my boss would be disappointed, but I really don't know if I can do this. Any advice or support is very much appreciated.
Pollybizz
Pollybizz
Please don't cancel and take one minute at a time. Pat yourself on the back when you get to where you are going. Make your hotel room comfortable and smile at the meetings. They are all strangers too and probably uncomfortable.

Find a great station to listen to in the traffic, I know a few who listen to comedy stations and think of traffic time as time to unwind. you get get the traffic to move faster, so enjoy the slow pace.

When its done, you will surely pat yourself on the back.
bridgie101
bridgie101
You have a lot to panic you in advance, but none will last. Once you're out the door and furbaby is settled, that cause of anxiety will go. Then the flight will be over, and that anxiety can go. Each moment you survive will reduce the causes for anxiety.

It's the worst it can possibly be right now. :) So go. You can win.
larz77
larz77
So many "job" posts. Clearly something going on in our society. I feel your pain as iam dealing with just sitting through all day meetings the next three days. I can't sleep and my stomach is in a knot. You have a few other things added to it. As much as you can, stay in the moment and try not to project out. As Bridgie mentioned, take one thing as it comes.

I will be thinking about you!