What did you do today to chip away at your hypervigilance?

[mumstheword]

I caught the bus to the town next door, where I didn't go through long-term abuse and major, life threatening trauma.

I did an exercise class with a lovely new friend/teacher, who I met when she was my support worker, now she's my NIA teacher and friend. We had lunch together.

Then I went to choir with a bunch of people I've known and been safe with, some for many years, some are also my close friends now.

The town I went is where i fled to, to save my own life, so I can walk around in it feeling much safer than here.

Here I mostly hide inside. My female neighbor is clearly narcissistic and histrionic and she reminds me of my mum; very triggery, but coming here and working through some of the backlog of trauma, helps me not get so hyper-adrenal-pumped .

I also stopped the caffeinated coffee today. I realized it doesn't help.

 

[SeekingAfrica]

I did what I could- I cooked, did laundry, went to the store...did as many household chores as I could. Today is one of those super-anxious days where it feels like doing anything is far, foreign, impossible to master and slow, pointless. A lot of work things I couldn't do well and had to push to tomorrow.

But housework, I managed. In small bits and pieces, in random order, but nevertheless, I did a lot of housework today.

 

[Deleted member 37085]

Cooking some yummy plant-based foods and enjoying their colors, smells and oh all of that yummy goodness in my kitchen! Also I am reading books that calm and soothe my soul.

 

[ms spock]

Being more grounded.

 

[ms spock]

I got up and 3am and played my musical instrument.

 

[SeekingAfrica]

I got up and 3am and played my musical instrument.

That actually sounds awesome! There was a time when I used to paint after midnight, which other than calming also had some magical feeling to it, because it was after midnight...Now I always think of how many hours more I have to sleep after that and it ruins it....

As for myself- I spend some time doing self care to warm up and calm myself(woke up in panic), and also made my day easier(asked for help with what made me so stressed lately other than triggers- I was honest with myself about my limitations and realized getting help is smarter). So...hopefully in a day or 2 that will make my stress back down to more manageable level.

 

[ms spock]

I got up at 3.30am (I went to bed really early), and I went back to bed and snuggled with my partner, so first night of decent sleep in a long time. I breathed into the pain in my body.

 

[mumstheword]

I started zentagling. Bought a book and began my first, last night, with some inspiration from the book.

I'm going out dancing with another peer worker/sufferer friend this afternoon.

 

[ms spock]

Exercise for 1 hour

 

[ms spock]

I hour exercise.
Breaking down distorted cognitions.
Breathing.
Watching my body and stop being so tense.
Being active.
Getting up and making all the small decisions, and doing stuff.
Facing up to stuff.

 

[ms spock]

Expressing anger and frustration via text.
Being more here.

 

[ms spock]

Not numbing out on food.
Walking an hour
Being much more assertive, via text, but it is a start.
Breathing more.
Working on skills that will aid my recovery.
Being honest.