Hellobee Boards

I've been really struggling with my anxiety postpartum and one thing I've been trying to do when I find myself dwelling on the negative or the "what ifs" is start listing anything positive I can think of in my head. It helps a little bit.

I read somewhere to remind yourself not to worry or you will miss out on a world that DOES exist. It is a simple, but good reminder.

Try connecting to your "right brain," you can draw, play an instrument, or do a meditation like thinking of yourself like a whale floating through the ocean and you are beautiful, or stare in soft focus where you take in as much as you can, even in your peripheral vision. These mediations connect you to the moment and sort of reset you.

@hellobeeboston: Gah, I'm sorry. It's called "Hardwiring Happiness" by Rick Hanson. I've read "Better than Before" as well, and that too is good, but not along the worry lines.

Yup, this is me too. I have tried GABA pills (supplement available OTC at Target) and maybe it's a placebo effect but I feel calmer!

I make lists upon lists. And crossing off things from the list, no matter how trivial it seems, is very soothing to me. And make a point to go for a walk if possible every day to get outside.

And if anxiety gets really bad, I take 5HTP, which is a vitamin that helps me a lot.

I sit and write a stream of consciousness about why I'm worried and what I can do to relieve the anxiety. I also try to close my eyes and do a lot of deepbreathing. When anxious or worrisome thoughts enter I acknowledge them and picture then floating away. Sort of sounds cheesey but it helps me. I also made a joke that I gave up worry for Lent, but its seemed to help me say nope I'm not going down that path!

I have a history of mild depression and anxiety and had PPA/PPD with both my kids and I can tell you that nothing affects my anxiety and worrying more than lack of sleep and rest. I am on Zoloft for my current baby but nothing helps the anxiety and worrying better than sleep.

I was in ICU for 3 weeks after a serious surgery and the inability to get solid sleep with all the nurses and beeps and people coming in and out literally gave what they termed ICU psychosis. I was out of my mind scared constantly and freaking out. My first son was colicky and had reflux and the sleep deprivation almost killed me too. Even when DH would take over so I could sleep I would be paralyzed by worries and thoughts and I just couldn't sleep.

We have made a lot of adjustments to our life to ensure I get adequate rest. Our boys were sleeptrained, my husband literally makes me take a nap if I didn't get enough sleep the night before. I listen to rain noises and take melatonin and wear an eye mask so I get the most restful sleep possible.

I tell my husband my worries - sometimes getting them out verbally makes me realize I'm being ridiculous. I also spend quite a lot of time praying and inviting God into my worries. It's funny but it's like I literally conference Jesus into a call with me and my worries and say "this is above my pay grade - you're upper management, handle it."

I've also just acknowledged worrying is a side effect of how my brain works. I'm a very detail oriented person who can work through several different permutations of a single scenario at once. I'm a planner, I'm a logistics-type person, and I'm someone who naturally anticipates needs. A natural consequence to that is that I can foresee weird outcomes or possibilities many people can't or don't. So I end up worrying more about things than other people. And that's okay. Because most of the time my ability to plan and multitask is a strength. Acknowledging that makes me think more positively about myself.

I've dealt with anxiety many times in the past. Guided meditation is what I always come back to, and also just distracting my brain with something pleasant (sitcom, novel, interesting podcast). Being social always helps my mood too. Finally, I try to remind myself that anxiety (or guilt, which is another one I deal with often) are basically useless emotions. If there is something I can actually do to make the situation better, I take steps towards it, otherwise I try to remind myself that worrying doesn't really help anything and could actually be making things worse.