Hi folks
how are you all doing today?
i am having a low day today, so am having to try hard to distract myself from my negative feelings.
what do you guys do to give yourselves a boost?
i try & have a positive start to my day - it usually involves watching something fun or worthwhile on youtube - something like pharrell Williams video of his song 'happy'. Today I found something really enjoyable to watch & it really lifted my mood. On bbc oxford news, I watched oxford uni Capella groups shakira tribute - it's ACE (and it's for charity). Apparently it has already clocked up 4 million hits on youtube! Apologies to anyone who is offended by my choice!
have a good day
sleepy crow
I would be very interested to know too. I have myself posted a discussion today about motivation. I find myself very motivated for a couple of days and then just go back to normal. How do you keep motivated? I really struggle...xx
Hi nicci
yes I agree, motivation does come & go.
I try & make a list the night before a new day. On my list is things I must do (get out of bed, have a shower, make kids breakfast, lunch, dinner etc). I have a list of things that might be useful but doesn't matter: put the washing machine on, clean the bathroom etc and then I have a list of stress busters: read book before bedtime, find something to laugh about - a joke, a picture, a song. Send a nice text message to someone. Challenge for the day: can you leave the house & walk to shop? Can you drive for 5 minutes? (This is a huge problem for me)
With my lists, it gives my day a bit of structure. As I get better at managing myself & my emotional state, my lists & motivation will change.
hope this helps - try to stay positive if you can
have a good week
sleepy crow
Personally I drag myself out to give my horse a hug. It's the one thing that guarantees to always make me feel better. If I can't do that then I look for something I've been putting off doing for ages and get it done - it's a surefire way of getting a feeling of accomplishment.
It's taken a long time to train myself to do these things but it has certainly been worthwhile.
Hi Banshee
i like the idea of hugging a horse first thing - what a great way to start a day!
we have 2 cats that go mad for my attention first thing - but once they have been fed- they head off to a warm cosy spot for a 12 hour nap & show absolutely no interest in the well-being of their human staff!
....couple of years from now & I'll get myself a loyal dog.
have a great week
sleepy C
Hi Sleepy crow
I agree with you I have lists too and try and do one non essential task at least which does give you a sense of achievement
I am now about to start doing progressive relaxation 20 mins a day this calms the body and helps with the physiological symptoms of anxiety
I also have two kittens 10 months old and they are a great distraction Hope this helpsVivx
Hello, I have two wee dogs that just love to have my attention,that can bring a smile for sure.Also walks in the sunshine, hot baths at night. A good book and knowing you are not alone. I do find exercise gives me a rush of endorphins,makes you feel good. Hope your day went well.
God Bless Ya :-)
I know what will cheer you up add me to your facebook account. Im Deborah Davis my pic i have an orange blouse on add me. lets chat about meds and I also have a masters in health care so i may be able to help some of you with your med choices. I was on a few since i had a thyroid operation several years back. Deborah.
Hiya Deborah - thanks for your reply.
i am one of those folks who never got round to setting up a Facebook account! ...I will get round to doing that this year 
i think my citalopram is doing its job - I just get overwhelmed with apprehension about certain things such as driving or change. Have just bought some next self-help books & am hoping that these will give me some encouragement to get on top of my driving
thanks for support today - I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
have a lovely weekend
sleepy crow x
Hey sleepy I'm curious about your driving situation since I'm having the same problem. I could always drive fine then got a dizzy attack couple months ago while driving & now I can drive maybe a block but if I see other cars I panic I don't get it! Of course at the moment I can't go in a store or mall or anywhere without anxiety so no need to drive I guess. But it's depressing
Sleepy Crow make sure your on the correct meds and I go to the gym to devert negative feelings, i swim, do zumba and yoga, helps alot believe me, join LA fitness for 29.99 a month, best 29.99 i could spend. Figure that you can go anytime unlike a dinner out 1 time and that is it.
Also make sure you read, get a job if possible. I am working again and keep busy, church, etc.
Hope this helps.
All the best,
Find me on facebook too, I am Deborah Davis, look me up i have a peach color blouse on. then remind me your from here. Hope you have a bloody good night lassie, Deborah A.Davis, B.A.,M.A.
Below is the book CBT therapists give patients to read. It covers everything. its great!!..
Overcoming Low Self-esteem: Self-help Guide Using..., Fennell, Melanie
xxx
Hey sleepy how are you doing? I'm starting to feel a lot better today just hope it lasts & gets better & better!
Hi Carol
sorry it has taken me so long to reply back to your message about the driving. I experienced my first panic attack in my car 3 years ago. At the time, i did not realise that it was a panic attack - I thought I was really ill. I had my young kids in the car at the time & Afterwards, I was terrified that I had put them in danger. With the knowledge I have now through understanding how anxiety works, I realise that my feelings were mixed up & that I was catastrophizing about the danger. I had everything under control until last month were my stress load was just too much & I lost my confidence again & anxiety has taken over. It is rubbish, but I need to think positively about what I can do to regain control.
My message to you is that you can recover - the trick is to face the fear. By putting things off, the fear just grows. It would be great if you could do some small journeys and then build the journey time up over several weeks (graded exposure).
Good luck Carol & believe in yourself. You can do it.
sleepy crow x
Hey sleepy as always you give good advice. Know what I'm stewing about now? I have to go to dentist tomorrow (Tuesday) am. Just a cleaning but either its anxiety/panic or the pills but I'm feeling very closterphobic & not sure how it's gonna be with someone in my face like that. Eeek !! Anyway I know you're asleep now only 7 pm mon here at the moment. I'll let u know tomorrow how it goes. Hopefully I don't go running out of the dentist office screaming! Ha
Hey Carol
I know it's easy for me to say this - but try not to worry about the dentist. Our brains go into hyperdrive and the apprehension starts getting out of control. What I remember from CBT is that we have to challenge our negative thought. Use previous evidence to back your thoughts up and then use self-talk. "My dentist helps me to maintain my health" "I have been going to the dentist every year since I was 6 years old" "there is no need for me for worry, this is not a new experience".
funny enough, I had my dental check-up last week. I was dreading it beforehand. I had a brisk 20 minute walk to the dentist - and that itself helped reduce my adrenaline surge. I encouraged myself with positive self-talk. I also told my dentist that I was feeling anxious & he helped calm me - remember that dentists will have had training on how to manage anxious patients.
afterwards, you'll come home with nice sparkling teeth and you'll be pleased with your achievement!
I believe in you Carol - you can do it!
sleepy crow
x
Hi sleepy, well guess what? I got thru the dentist appt just fine. I talked to them about my problem & they were very understanding. Turns out I was nervous but no different than I always am at the dentist. I built it up into a nightmare in my mind for the last couple months, almost cancelled but so glad I went! Whew! Small steps but I think I'm progressing. Gonna do a little drive today not far but make myself do it.
Hope you're feeling ok today it's great being able to talk to you. You help a lot of people.
Hey Carol
brilliant!
well done for getting yourself to the dentist today and for getting through it. Another success for your diary/journal!!
i'm doing ok today - I managed to drive my kids to their sports club today - so that is today's achievement ticked off in my journal!
We are making progress
sleepy crow xxx
Hi sleepy how are you doing? I have a ?. Been feeling pretty last few days, thought I would drive into town today (10miles) anyway the further I got away from home the more I felt scared & terrified actually. Had to turn around & come home. Do you think that was a anxiety attack? It was very depressing cause I have made that same drive a million times before we'll not in last couple months but was sure I could do it today 
anyway was just curious what you think.
Meant feeling pretty good not just feeling pretty