I wish I could relax
I just want pne weekend where I can feel completely fine and not have panic attacks that there's something horribly wrong with me. Although at this point I feel like if I actually did feel that way I would just panic thinking that something's wrong that I haven't figured out yet.... I just want two whole days where I feel like I'm healthy again, and everything's OK, and I can just relax and be happy. Or even just one whole day. Sometimes I feel like I'll never have that again. Every week I think OK, this is my weekend to just sleep in and read and not have to deal with anything scary, but then something comes up. I just want a panic-free weekend, that doesn't seem like too much to ask for....
I feel your pain, I just don't know how to relax. I used to rely on alcohol and thank goodness I have put that behind me. Wish I could be more helpful, I do find breathing exercises help.
@Starfox312 Star, I get u. Esp the 'just want 2 days' bit...I know how much I need the weekend.
Dont stop fighting. You will get your peace n rest. Take care
@Starfox312 I understand exactly what you mean. When you suffer from anxiety and depression your mind can do terrible things to you. Do you live alone? Do you have a stressful job? I have struggled with similar feelings my whole life and what i have learned is that you should try to understand that when those feelings start to come over you, you can recognize it is coming and learn to battle it. It is very difficult. When you suffer like this, and for example maybe you reach a point where you feel like you can relax and everything is under control and you get a brief period where you feel like everything will be alright. If you have suffered with these types of attacks, your body and mind are trained to feel "normal" in that state and when you feel good, sometimes your brain wants to pull you into a state that is more comfortable or recognizable. My daughter suffers from similar issues and I tell her, remember you dont have to allow your brain to spin you out of control. I have had many long and lonely weekends where i have found it impossible to relax even though by all accounts everything in my life is going ok. Fight it dont let it win
This is coming directly from experience. If you are in a place where these thoughts begin to take over - LEAVE! Get out of that particular situation. Go do ANYTHING else other than sit there. Go to a movie. Pick one task that has been bugging you, no matter how small and get it done. Go take a shower. Go out to eat. Light a candle and play some music. Go run a simple errand. Train yourself to recognize when this is happening and make just a small change to your environment that occupies your mind in a positive way. This kind of behavior, combined with therapy and maybe meds, will eventually and slowly change the way you approach these attacks. Stop trusting the panic feelings as real and start trusting your positive coping methods instead.
@agreeableStrawberries1285
this was really helpful. Thank you. I also struggle to relax. It drives me crazy becuase I feel like I will always be like this. But your response helps me to see that I can fight it and get through it.
Hi there,
I have the same problem and I'm the only one I know of out of my friends and family that has this problem, which makes me feel really odd and lonely. I believe I've always had it.
I think my inability to relax is tied to my problems with anxiety, but I've also started to wonder whether it's tied to my self esteem? Perhaps I don't think I deserve the right to relax because I'm not achieving enough or something...? I think this is something I need to work on. I don't know if any one else has these feelings?
Starfox: I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling so much with anxiety and being unable to relax at the weekend. Is there a particular thought or situation that triggers the panic attacks? I second the advice to get up and out and do anything that takes your mind and body out of the situation. That can be good for perspective. Walking anywhere - maybe with a podcast or music.
Perhaps, don't put so much pressure on yourself? Don't think about the weekend as being the only time you can relax and if the anxiety comes then you've ruined it. This is maybe a way to set yourself up for failure? I know because I put this pressure on myself all the time and it makes it impossible to relax.
Have you tried writing all your anxious thoughts and worries down as they come? It always helps me and feels like a release, which helps me feel better.
Take care xx