Daily Check-In

[mecurtin]

This is your check-in post for today. The poll will be open from midnight Universal or Zulu Time (8pm Eastern Time) on Thursday, August 25th, to midnight on Friday, August 26th (8pm Eastern Time).

Poll #27427 Daily check-in poll

This poll is closed.
Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 36

How are you doing?

I am OK
25 (69.4%)

I am not OK, but don't need help right now
11 (30.6%)

I could use some help
0 (0.0%)

How many other humans live with you?

I am living single
15 (41.7%)

One other person
17 (47.2%)

More than one other person
4 (11.1%)

Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.

Comments

[ratcreature]

Because of family member stuff (not-pandemic related) my background level of anxiety has really spiked the last days. I mostly notice it physically (though useless mental fretting increased too) with a sort of "clenchy" physical sensation in my abdomen/gut, occasional heartburn, trouble making myself eat, an increase in unsettled dreaming etc.

All unpleasant, and it doesn't help that's been quite hot here all last week (though not record braking) so my place (directly under the roof with south facing windows and no crossventilation or A/C) is miserable from late afternoon and remains too warm into the night, so sleep is bad anyway. At least there are storms forecast this afternoon so maybe the heat will break.

Anyway, I can't really do anything about the situation that makes me feel anxious, as that isn't mine directly (except in possibly bad secondary effects) -- basically something is going very badly that I had warned them would end badly for a long time, and now it's in the process of doing just that, and I feel awful (and also tbh a tad resentful because my cautioning was about as effective as Cassandra).

So I'm just venting, though I wonder if anyone has any home remedy type of tips for the "gut feeling" symptoms? I'm not on any anxiety medication or anything.

[bluedreaming]

What helps me is meditation (even though it sucks trying to get into that mindspace) or getting distracted by projects or reading/watching something. Or trying to get out in the quiet (early morning?) and getting some fresh air/a short walk. So I’m afraid I don’t have any home remedy type suggestions (unless maybe chamomile tea if that agrees with you?).

Venting is always good!

[ratcreature]

Thanks, I've tried meditation in past, but found it hard. I have been trying just breathing exercises now, that help a bit with the clenchy gut feeling when it's very pronounced.

And yeah, even vague venting helps a bit. I can't even talk it through with other family members, because the relative in question hasn't actually disclosed this more widely (though they expect it will blow up fully soonish), and for now just talked to me afaik, and my advice that they need to have more honest talks and quick, so far has had about as much effect as all my previous opinions.

[kathmandu]

These 'gut feeling' remedies tend to be very individual, so your mileage may vary. But for me, eating lots of dark-green vegetables helps. And favoring the dark-brown grains over the paler ones: whole wheat, sorghum, teff, barley...

[ratcreature]

Huh, interesting. I have noticed that sometimes eating helps but not always, but haven't watched for specific correlations.

[kathmandu]

I forgot to mention: one of the more general things is that periods of high strain on the nervous system cause your body to need extra calcium and magnesium. So adding calcium and magnesium supplements can help, both with the sense of strain and overwhelm and with sleeping. Twice as much calcium as magnesium is a good ratio to try.