Anxiety

[designforlife]

I've no idea if this is helpful for anyone but i've recently stumbled upon a pretty good release that has worked for me and enabled me to actually shut off and not think/worry for a time.

I've not skateboarded since my teens/early 20s, but have gotten back into it some 12 years on over the last few weeks... It's pretty much the only thing in quite some time that while I'm doing it, i can totally switch off and focus purely on the act of skating and enjoy it. I've had other hobbies spoilt because the anxiety and worry about something else creeps into it and distracts me, to the point that if my mind wasn't on it, I just wouldn't do it...i've shelved activities with friends because of this in the past.

I skated initially at a (relatively) stress and worry free time in life, and skateboarding now very much puts me back into that mindset while I do it... it's been completely accidental but actually really good for me from a mental health point of view....i guess my brain associates it with a simpler and happier time before anxiety was a constant in my life, as it has become as i've gotten older.

So, it may be worth looking back at hoobbies/activities you enjoyed doing in more stable times in life, and seeing if picking them back up helps at all... I would have to get my wife to confirm the psychology of it, but it could be worth a go.

[Hoofy]

designforlife said:

I've no idea if this is helpful for anyone but i've recently stumbled upon a pretty good release that has worked for me and enabled me to actually shut off and not think/worry for a time.

I've not skateboarded since my teens/early 20s, but have gotten back into it some 12 years on over the last few weeks... It's pretty much the only thing in quite some time that while I'm doing it, i can totally switch off and focus purely on the act of skating and enjoy it. I've had other hobbies spoilt because the anxiety and worry about something else creeps into it and distracts me, to the point that if my mind wasn't on it, I just wouldn't do it...i've shelved activities with friends because of this in the past.

I skated initially at a (relatively) stress and worry free time in life, and skateboarding now very much puts me back into that mindset while I do it... it's been completely accidental but actually really good for me from a mental health point of view....i guess my brain associates it with a simpler and happier time before anxiety was a constant in my life, as it has become as i've gotten older.

So, it may be worth looking back at hoobbies/activities you enjoyed doing in more stable times in life, and seeing if picking them back up helps at all... I would have to get my wife to confirm the psychology of it, but it could be worth a go.

Absolutely! It is about finding an activity that really absorbs you. That's basic mindfulness. I say basic because part of mindfulness is the acceptance/non-judgement aspect so it's ok to keep failing to do pull a successful kickflip and the trick is to not criticise yourself because of it.

Most people find it easier to do some kind of "embodied mindfulness" where you're focusing on movement (weights, yoga, skateboarding, tennis) but you can still get anxiety and stress from participating, and it's still just a temporary measure. Seating mindfulness goes deeper for longer lasting effects through re-training your brain.

[dav123a]

Hoofy said:

Yes, please PM me and I'll email something over.

PM sent

[Jazzer]

Anxiety is a common thing, often caused by underlying health issues.

Low B12 and folate can make you feel very ill, as can thyroid issues.

Ask your GP for a full blood count.

Meanwhile, eat well, cut out junk, reduce booze or eliminate it if you can, and get regular exercise out in the fresh air.

Simple, pragmatic steps make a world of difference.

Good luck!

[Lannister902]

If there's any hobbies that help people with anxiety that is not physically gruelling of any sort, I'm all ears.
My job makes make me to tired to do any sort of physical activities outside work to well with my mental state of mind.

[zygalski]

Fishing.
Relaxing, gets you outside & you don't need much physical effort.

[Hoofy]

Lannister902 said:

If there's any hobbies that help people with anxiety that is not physically gruelling of any sort, I'm all ears.
My job makes make me to tired to do any sort of physical activities outside work to well with my mental state of mind.

Painting, playing a musical instrument, doodling, playing computer games...

Oh yeah, and mindfulness.

[CrgT16]

Dealing with anxiety is a bit of minefield. For some people the steps to deal with it are themselves cause of anxiety.
I haven really suffered like some people here but one book that I read that was interesting was “The monk who sold his Ferrari”. I bought it out of curiosity and it was interesting to see that I no longer suffer from road rage and almost feels I can prevent my heart racing in some situations just with thoughts.

I never had anxiety but if that is a glimpse of mindfulness certainly it must work. Good luck OP

[zygalski]

Excellent first mindfulness meditation. I just did it twice in an hour. Feels like I've had a few hours sleep
https://youtu.be/4GtpuD13nZk

[67Dino]

If anyone reading this wants to experience or develop their Mindfulness, I can recommend Ed Halliwell’s weekend retreats.

https://edhalliwell.com/

Ed used to be Deputy Editor of Nuts magazine at its peak, burnt out badly, and then discovered Mindfulness. He’s well respected (eg helped the NHS set their policy) and has written some great books. Mindfulness is quite hard to learn purely in theory though, and certainly got a lot more out of it myself after his retreat.

[anxious_ant]

Been reading about CBD oil and it looks promising.

Any experience?

[Lannister902]

Cognitive therapy and mildfullness seem to be effective in dealing with anxiety

[Lannister902]

Cognitive therapy and mildfullness seem to be effective in dealing with anxiety.

I'm looking into a decent keyboard/piano and having tuition lessons to help deal with my anxiety levels.

[ReaperCushions]

anxious_ant said:

Been reading about CBD oil and it looks promising.

Any experience?

I take this for Anxiety (20mg in Gummie form). Its difficult to tell how it works, as its certainly not some magic pill that switches your mind in a matter of minutes. I'd say overall in the two weeks I've been taking it, it has reduced the symptoms and I feel somewhat better, having had less anxiety attacks that normal. However... I do have periods like that anyway... so I don't really know if it is the CBD or just some normal cycle I'm going through.

I'll continue with it though for the moment.

Do a lot of research, its still a somewhat murky world, and make sure you get THC free stuff!

[zygalski]

Joscal said:

zygalski said:

I've just ordered Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Williams & Penman.
It's supposed to be very good.

It’s brilliant, make sure you listen to the audio that comes with it. The body scan is particularly good, I still do it nearly everyday. Good luck!

I'm on day 2 of week 2, so doing the body scan twice a day.
It's quite hard to stay awake if you do this before going to bed

I do seem a bit less stressed already, so the book & CD appear to be helping.

[dav123a]

zygalski said:

Joscal said:

zygalski said:

I've just ordered Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Williams & Penman.
It's supposed to be very good.

It’s brilliant, make sure you listen to the audio that comes with it. The body scan is particularly good, I still do it nearly everyday. Good luck!

I'm on day 2 of week 2, so doing the body scan twice a day.
It's quite hard to stay awake if you do this before going to bed

I do seem a bit less stressed already, so the book & CD appear to be helping.

Ordered this a couple of days ago , hopefully it's some help. I've done mindfulness most days sometimes twice a day. Carried on with exercise most days , feeling better I've got to say. I can't say I'm hundred percent but the days seem easier and less stressful.

[Hoofy]

[dav123a]

Hoofy said:

Thanks for your help on here and off , I don't feel sorted but feel this is the right road to be on.

[Joscal]

zygalski said:

I'm on day 2 of week 2, so doing the body scan twice a day.
It's quite hard to stay awake if you do this before going to bed

I do seem a bit less stressed already, so the book & CD appear to be helping.

Good for you, hope it helps👍

[mcelliott]

I’m currently on 20mg of citaolpram, have been for nearly 2 weeks, since I’ve been taking them my anxiety has become way worse, if/when will things start to improve?