Marcia over at the Healthy Slice is advocating making one small change each week to better your life. I’ve been meaning to join in for a while, but finally decided this is the week.
My change for this week (and part of last week) is to stop letting exaggerated worries stress me out. I have a bad habit of freaking out before I know the exact extent of a problem. I am highly anxious. I finally reached the point where I either need to learn to cope or go see someone about either therapy or drugs to cope. I haven’t ruled out getting help, but I’m trying to see what I can manage to do on my own.
The first thing I had to realize was that the lead weight feeling in my gut was both a feeling of my own making and that I didn’t have to let it be there. Just realizing that I don’t have to let the everyday stresses get to me was a step in the right direction. (Seems simplistic, I know.)
Next, I needed to come up with a coping plan. Here’s how I’m handling life’s little stresses:
- Decide if there is anything I can do to improve the outcome or make it go away. If there is, do it. And move on. If not, accept the situation.
- Gonna have to live with it for a bit? Put it in perspective, don’t ignore it. If the worst option happens, is it the end of the world? (And how likely is the worst option anyway?)
- Pull out the coping mechanisms: run, lift weights, do something fun with Beer Geek and/or the kids, sit and just breathe…
- Find something good to fill your time and thoughts. Sometimes trash novels are just the thing.
How’s it working? I’m not anxiety free, but I’m sleeping, I’m not stress eating, that weight in the pit of my stomach is much less frequent.
Are my problems gone? No and I’m sure the particular set I’m dealing with will be replaced by new ones in the future. But the two mantras of “This too shall pass” and “It’s only money” are helping me get through. ;o)
What are your coping mechanisms? How do you handle the inevitable stresses that come with owning a home, having kids, owning cars, etc.? I’d love to add some tools to my tool box.
And some gratuitous pictures from my weekend:
Hey lady. I’ve been there. Am there. One thing that works for me is talking to my man. Or anyone else in my life that is super practical. Anxiety can make me irrational, and having someone listen to my concerns and then helps me see how things actually are (without judgement) has helped. Also, I tell myself “control the controllables.” On the really hard days, make sure you give yourself credit for everything you did do, especially the small stuff like “I showered.” It sounds silly, but it helps. And a well-rounded toolbox (for me, at least) also includes a kickass therapist and some well-researched medication. Happy to talk anytime.
I kind of like to ask myself ‘what is the worst thing that can happen?’
And I think that eating well and getting lots of exercise helps too.
Sometimes, just giving up trying to have control and having faith that things will work out the way they are MEANT to helps!
When I’m feeling anxious I just remember God wont give me more than I can handle. Sometimes my anxiety gets the best of me, especially around planting and harvest. Part of it for me is a control thing I cant be to control what could happen to my kids or my hubby. My anxiety comes in the form of breathing. I feel like I cant get enough air and am trying to suck in more than I need, which more or less leads to hyperventilation. One way I deal with it is to get my mind off what is worrying me. I call my sis and talk to her or go visit someone. One night it happened at 10pm I thought I was going to die. My heart was racing my breathing was all over the place. I call my sis prays the Lord she answered her phone. She go me calmed down by talking to me about other topics. Hang in there. I understand what you are going thru. I do have pill in case it get bad and I cant handle it, but for me those pills are just a safety net.
I think this time of year with everybody/everything ramping up for holidays just feeds the stress too. I get that pit in my stomach as well. Sometimes I don’t even know exactly what I’m stressing about. I’ve been taking 10 minute daily walks where I just sort of meditate on stuff. Sometimes it’s the weirdest/pettiest crap. It has a way of mounting sometimes. Thanks for linking up!
Drugs 😉
Seriously, though, my anxiety can get really out of control. I’ve been having panic attacks since college. I take Lexapro, but I’m down to a really low dosage. Running helps too.
Love this post. I can seriously relate to your listed plans. 🙂 I’ve been dealing a lot lately, it helps a lot to stay calm.
I’m definitely not the best coper in the world when it comes to stress. But seeing a counsellor last year has really improved my ability to deal with the stuff that life keeps throwing at me. It’s so good to have weapons in your arsenal to help from letting it spiral out of control.