BEDTIME WORRIES....
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| Tue, 03-06-2007 - 10:17am |
I am just wondering why my anxiety gets so bad when it comes time to go to bed? I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but it is really starting to get on my last nerve.
Everytime I try to go to bed I start thinking about all sorts of things. Everything I could possibly worry about: Money, Bills, My career and even Death. Part of my anxiety is the fear of dying. I lay in bed thinking about just how I am going to die. A car crash, a natural disaster, getting shot. It's crazy! At least that's how it makes me feel. Then, to top it all off, I dream of dying. And it is soooo real in my dream that I wake up in a a small panic. I have several dreams where I am shot in the back and even a recent dream of being stuck in the mall while like 4 tornados plow through. I know this may sound stupid, but I honestly obsess about my "fear of dying." I can't even watch coverage about the war, because then I start obsessing about it and what if there is another terrorist attack? And I start to hear things outside. Then, I cannot relax or fall asleep.
Does anyone else have this as apart of their anxiety? I am just hoping that someone out there can give me some advice to help stop the "death obsession" so I can live my life to the fullest and sleep. It's just so frustrating...please if anyone can offer some advice that would be great...thank you for listening.
Mandi*
p.s. That felt great to get off my chest:-)

I am sorry to hear this, Mandi. I know that these worries can interfere with our enjoyment of living. Learning to worry more effectively is essential. Please check out the *coping tips & tricks* folder below on worry.
I have the anxiety/fear/racing thoughts when I attempt to fall asleep. I have developed a bedtime routine, avoiding upsets, intense tv, caffeine, etc. I relax with a cup of chamomile tea. Taking a bath or shower with lavendar body wash helps or burning an aromatherapy candle. I allow myself 15 to 20 minutes to focus on the scary thoughts, then move on to the belly breathing. I have the alarm clock with nature sounds & I use the ocean setting to listen too as I breathe in & out with the waves. It calms me & gives me a chance to practice my progressive relaxation.
They say it takes 11 positive thoughts to overcome 1 negative thought. Write a list of positive thoughts you can refer to when you are stressed by these thoughts of dying. If you're a person of faith, now is the time to read spiritual texts or verses that you find comforting. There was a time in the past that my nighttime anxiety was so high, that as soon as the sun went down, I became terrified & would panic. Nighttime always seems quieter & lonelier for me. Can you reach out to a friend?
I wish I could wave a magic wand to help you. I have often said that the person who could invent a anti-racing thoughts machine would be richer than Fort Knox;) Please take care. We want you to feel better soon. GL&GBU! (((hugs))) jan
Jan,
Thank you for the advice...this has been happening for probably about 4 mths. now. It gets so frustrating because it's like whenever I don't have anything really to stress about, this comes up as like my evil anxiety's way of ruining my relaxation/sleep.
I will def. try your techniques. I have tried the belly breathing and watching something funny before going to sleep. My sweetie also rubs my arm to try to relax me, which does work most of the time. The only problem with that is he doesn't have any trouble falling asleep so he is snoring within 10 min.! LOL!
I also pray all of the time, including right before I go to bed. I grew up doing that, so it has stuck with me to my adult years.
Again, thank you so much for the relaxing tips. I love you guys! I always feel better about whatever is driving me crazy after I post on this message board. Much luv and many hugs!
Mandi*
For me, bedtime & while driving were the worse times for my thoughts to run rampant.
Sheri Ann