Hi @Oaktree , the image you uploaded is not yet visible, just looks like a triangle at the moment. But glad you have tools and strategies for self care.
Hi @tyme@Oaktree , the week's been busy. Was tired today. Confronting anxiety is difficult. Also, many people I know have no knowledge or inkling of my mental health struggles so this can be nice but it's a strain as well socially.
I think that is the reality. It's give and take. Sometimes, it's all just too hard to give people the whole mental health spiel, so you just have to mask..... but yes, this can lead to exhaustion and people really just not understanding one's needs.
I hope you find a way to balance both so that you can be in that 'happy' place @L-B
Yes. I certainly do, but it's not debilitating. I have learnt to effectively work through it so I am in control and I can take hold of my breath to better manage the anxiety. Breath work has made an immense difference.
As soon as I feel the anxiety creeping in, I focus on the breath (even when I'm driving). For example, sirens are a HUGE trigger for me. As soon as i see flashing blues and reds or I hear sirens, I feel my body going into fight/flight.. so this is when I harness the breath.
I know that if I don't take control of the anxiety, then it will control me (like it has done for a very long time).
I find that the more I practice controlled breathing, the more effective it is @L-B I seemed to have just needed one really solid stint of doing it all the time, and I feel I've mastered it now. It's really awesome to be honest.
I didn’t do too much over the weekend. I was working on elementary algebra through a free online course on wolfram.com. Also I went and bought a pool cue yesterday. I wanted a shorter one because I am only 5 foot 2. I wish it was purple but it’s actually neon pink. It wasn’t very expensive. For the cue, case and chalk it was $120 altogether. I am joining the eight ball club at my university. It’s a guild club.
Today I have just relaxed and watched tv. Got my first lecture tomorrow.
Sometimes, it's all just too hard to give people the whole mental health spiel, so you just have to mask..... but yes, this can lead to exhaustion and people really just not understanding one's needs.
I hope you find a way to balance both so that you can be in that 'happy' place
It was a very stressful weekend at a big wedding...I was fortunate to sleep this morning but felt mentally overwhelmed by it all...a long drive there with erratic drivers on the road, assisting with a relative with dementia over the course of the weekend plus my anxieties...sigh! Glad the weekend is over. Need more rest or something to recover.
