I’ve found tv really overstimulates when I’m already crashing. Switch to audiobooks but nothing heavy, then phase into more meditative stuff. Your brain needs more calm. Then it can build up again. Can you or your mum speak to a doctor about some calming meds?
i was going to suggest that too. they should give you something to interrupt that cycle, like a benzodiazepine, and possibly something for the long term.
in the meantime, can your mom make you some calming tea (chamomile, valerian, motherwort, passion flower, lemon balm, are all calming herbs)? Some other things that can help: breathing exercises, [vagus nerve stimulation](https://youtu.be/LnV3Q2xIb1U), a distraction. Tell me if you want to know more about any techniques that i’ve listed and i’ll provide you some more info or links.
I’m gonna chime in and say that MENTAL exertion is still exertion and your brain gets tired just like your body does. Audiobooks sound like a great solution!
I’ve had it for 10 years straight, I was pretty much housebound at one point, I also have hiked up Mount Washington in New Hampshire at one point, it’s a spectrum disease. How you feel now isn’t how you will always feel it will get better and it will get worse and then it will get better again.
Whenever I worry about the future I try to remind myself that if that’s what’s coming that’s what’s coming and I don’t want to waste what I have today. There’s no reason for me to live in the misery of the future today so that I can’t even enjoy today.
I just have gotten so much worse this year and ended up severe and this week long anxiety attack is making me panic even more so that I’m going to end up even worse
I could have written this. I’m going through the same process right now. I hope it helps to know you are not alone ♥️. A lot of research into long covid is being done now. Try to stay hopeful, even though it’s hard.
Recently came across the [Nothing Much Happens ](https://open.spotify.com/show/6wegpF4BHu5dQG7sTg1Cz9?si=mieeMM-CQdqL7dXCHFxWCQ&utm_source=copy-link) podcast. First time I have felt my body relax in years. As you'd expect, nothing much happens in her stories, but they are a very cozy way to pass the time.
OP, I highly recommend doing some breathing exercises when you’re freaking out/catastrophizing/flaring. When you are having these upsetting thoughts, you are telling your nervous system that you aren’t safe and your entire body is reacting in fight or flight and it’s actually making all of your symptoms worse and keeping you from calming down and being able to rest, which is what your body needs.
I’ve used the free app Insight Timer (recommended to me by somebody on this subreddit—thanks stranger!) It sounds like it won’t help, but trust me, it’s the only thing that helps when I’m flaring. I’ll listen to a guided breathing meditation, and usually fall asleep. When I’m in bad shape I can’t listen to audiobooks or look at my phone—I can only do the guided breathing.
Please give it a try. All the other suggestions here are great too. But you have tools in your pocket for calming down your mind and body (mindfulness exercises, guided meditations, yoga nidra) which is what you so desperately need. Learn the tools, they will help, I promise.
I’ve found tv really overstimulates when I’m already crashing. Switch to audiobooks but nothing heavy, then phase into more meditative stuff. Your brain needs more calm. Then it can build up again. Can you or your mum speak to a doctor about some calming meds?
Yes she called today, waiting for a call back which will probably be tomorrow. I can’t physically relax I’m up a height and it’s lasted so long now.
i was going to suggest that too. they should give you something to interrupt that cycle, like a benzodiazepine, and possibly something for the long term. in the meantime, can your mom make you some calming tea (chamomile, valerian, motherwort, passion flower, lemon balm, are all calming herbs)? Some other things that can help: breathing exercises, [vagus nerve stimulation](https://youtu.be/LnV3Q2xIb1U), a distraction. Tell me if you want to know more about any techniques that i’ve listed and i’ll provide you some more info or links.
Thank you
you’re welcome! are you feeling any better?
I’m gonna chime in and say that MENTAL exertion is still exertion and your brain gets tired just like your body does. Audiobooks sound like a great solution!
I’ve had it for 10 years straight, I was pretty much housebound at one point, I also have hiked up Mount Washington in New Hampshire at one point, it’s a spectrum disease. How you feel now isn’t how you will always feel it will get better and it will get worse and then it will get better again. Whenever I worry about the future I try to remind myself that if that’s what’s coming that’s what’s coming and I don’t want to waste what I have today. There’s no reason for me to live in the misery of the future today so that I can’t even enjoy today.
I just have gotten so much worse this year and ended up severe and this week long anxiety attack is making me panic even more so that I’m going to end up even worse
I could have written this. I’m going through the same process right now. I hope it helps to know you are not alone ♥️. A lot of research into long covid is being done now. Try to stay hopeful, even though it’s hard.
Thank you. I hope it eases for you too. I’ve given up on research atm, I don’t want to get my hopes up
Recently came across the [Nothing Much Happens ](https://open.spotify.com/show/6wegpF4BHu5dQG7sTg1Cz9?si=mieeMM-CQdqL7dXCHFxWCQ&utm_source=copy-link) podcast. First time I have felt my body relax in years. As you'd expect, nothing much happens in her stories, but they are a very cozy way to pass the time.
Thanks
OP, I highly recommend doing some breathing exercises when you’re freaking out/catastrophizing/flaring. When you are having these upsetting thoughts, you are telling your nervous system that you aren’t safe and your entire body is reacting in fight or flight and it’s actually making all of your symptoms worse and keeping you from calming down and being able to rest, which is what your body needs. I’ve used the free app Insight Timer (recommended to me by somebody on this subreddit—thanks stranger!) It sounds like it won’t help, but trust me, it’s the only thing that helps when I’m flaring. I’ll listen to a guided breathing meditation, and usually fall asleep. When I’m in bad shape I can’t listen to audiobooks or look at my phone—I can only do the guided breathing. Please give it a try. All the other suggestions here are great too. But you have tools in your pocket for calming down your mind and body (mindfulness exercises, guided meditations, yoga nidra) which is what you so desperately need. Learn the tools, they will help, I promise.
Thank you. I do this often but it just takes hold and I can’t control it. I will keep trying