How do i relax my brain and body!?

[daydreamRAD]

I can not relax in any way. The more overwhelmed I feel the worst it gets. I get to the point of only sleeping a few hours a night. I don't dream but very seldom. My mind just won't shut off making sceneries to were I feel like everyone is out to screw me around, just real negative thinking about others snd myself. Then the it puts me to the point were im full of anxiety, very short in what I say and my voice holds a very angry tone. I've done the whole medication thing I'm recovering addict I'd rather abstain.

 

[Friday]

What do you do to blow off steam?

How’re your stress management skills / ability to respond to & anticipate your general stress cup levels?

PTSD Stress Cup Explanation

 

[daydreamRAD]

What do you do to blow off steam?

How’re your stress management skills / ability to respond to & anticipate your general stress cup levels?

PTSD Stress Cup Explanation

I firsby golf.
I don't have good stress management at all. I'm not very good to responding to it. I isolate and the from the situation or problem until it boils and I blow up causing alot of hard feelings then I'm wreck and twice as stressed trying to put back all the pieces. It puts a toll on my family life and my mental well being. I've been to counsler and it helps for a while until I hit stressful situation.

 

[tofubreadcoriander]

Have you tried mindfulness meditation for going to sleep? Healthy Minds app is free and has a sleep meditation that may help.

 

[Movingforward10]

What comes first: the thoughts or the feelings?

If it's the thoughts that then turn into the feelings of anxiety/stress and overwhelm, then it's working on the thoughts before the spiral starts.

Journalling?
Working out your cycle of thoughts?
Counter messages?
Working on cognitive distortions?

If it's the feelings then breathing techniques or connecting back into your body in a way that helps (exercise or tactile things - something to hold etc).

 

[arfie]

hello dd rad. welcome to the forum. sorry for what brings you here but glad you are here.

in my own recovery, my expectations have been my greatest deterrent to anxiety management. i want microwave solutions i can work once and be done with the whole freaking mess. it would be preferable if someone else would perform that work step. i'm too busy for another DIY (do it yourself) project. be sure the worker can read my mind to know all the preferences which i didn't think to mention when i bought the product.

and? ? ? what i WANT isn't on the menu --AGAIN! ! !
sigh. . . what ever happened to the customer always being right?

my recovery road has been smoother since i accepted that healing is an inside job. whatever program i am working, it only works if i work it and it never will be a done deal. there is no cure for the common me.

but that is me and every case is unique.
steadying support while you find what works for you. welcome aboard.

 

[Freddyt]

My mind just won't shut off making sceneries to were I feel like everyone is out to screw me around, just real negative thinking about others snd myself.

Let's put a name on that for you - it's called Rumination. We all do it. It's one of the most difficult things to conquer because it is also tied to intrusive thoughts, which are also a symptom.
The cure is reality. Finding it, knowing it, stopping that stuff rolling around in your head.

One of my bedtime tricks to help it is reading. Reading slowly on purpose. Keeps other thoughts out and bores my squirrel brain - two in one, stops rumination and makes me tired.
(Because I know the other way to read. I had a friend who went to school with a lady named Evelyn Wood who taught him a faster way to read...)

 

[Friday]

I don't have good stress management at all.

Sounds like a great place to start.

Whether it’s physical, mental, or both? Things that you can do, both every day & as needed, to keep level & handle what’s thrown at you.

 

[Jae]

I can not relax in any way. The more overwhelmed I feel the worst it gets. I get to the point of only sleeping a few hours a night. I don't dream but very seldom. My mind just won't shut off making sceneries to were I feel like everyone is out to screw me around, just real negative thinking about others snd myself. Then the it puts me to the point were im full of anxiety, very short in what I say and my voice holds a very angry tone. I've done the whole medication thing I'm recovering addict I'd rather abstain.

I understand. I do. You need a good distraction. Do you have a friend or anyone to talk too.

 

[Paul007]

I am new here and I have been diagnosed with PTSD and trauma delayed onset coming through my mind and thought then the PTSD symptoms take hold of my body im glad I've found a site to talk about this as I feel like I'm alone and it's hard to bottle up all the thoughts etc

I also find it hard to settle and relax because of this and I have to ride with the PTSD symptoms and wait for the thoughts to go so I can sleep, relax, settle

 

[thingswillbeok]

What helps me:

Yin yoga (find classes on YouTube)
Aerobic exercise to the point of getting all sweaty
Journalling to help manage stress and general anxieties - trauma-related or not
Meditation with a body focus (like a body scan). Also regular grounding and orienting meditations - you can find some of the insight timer app.
Incorporating these into your day
Also trying to reduce external stressors where possible

 

[Survivor3]

I can not relax in any way. The more overwhelmed I feel the worst it gets. I get to the point of only sleeping a few hours a night. I don't dream but very seldom. My mind just won't shut off making sceneries to were I feel like everyone is out to screw me around, just real negative thinking about others snd myself. Then the it puts me to the point were im full of anxiety, very short in what I say and my voice holds a very angry tone. I've done the whole medication thing I'm recovering addict I'd rather abstain.

Going to a Buddhist centre helped me aswell as regular counselling, exercise, mental health recovery groups, meditation, healthy distraction like reading or arts. Decent and successful medication.