How can I relax?

Question

Stupid Question, I know, but hear me out.

My mind goes in a hundred directions at once. Always has been like that. I have a hard time relaxing, and I'm not sure if I have ever done that. Even if I sit to just chill out, I have a hundred things to think about. I do like to do Sudoku puzzles because it brings some sort of pleasure but it still requires me to think. If I sit and watch a movie or tv show, I fall asleep out of boredom. If I do watch a movie, I have to crochet, read a magzine or work on a crossword puzzle at the same time. When I go for my walks, I have to wear headphones or I will get bored, and I listen to music... but then I always have something on my mind and I have 'conversations' in my mind about things that will be coming up, etc. I am worried that this constant activity will burn out my adrenal glads, and keep putting cortisol into my system. Long term that's not good.

Any suggestions on how to relax? I can't meditate without my mind going on and on.

I have tried to sit, close my eyes and empty my head but then I tend to get where I'll think "oh, crap... I need to pay the car insurance this week... and I need to get this and that at the store....oh yeah, I'm suppose to clear my mind...."

I'm taking Prozac
I'm trying to get a job so Weed is out of the question for the time being, but good suggestion. :)
I have a husband so if I had a boyfriend my butt would get kicked. :)

Answer 1

Wow - hey Jen, looks like you're going through a very stressful time!

Thinking can be relaxing. Music can be relaxing. Conversations with yourself are good - talking with an intelligent person, at least! ;-) It's good to "do something" mentally when you go for walks - walk with a friend to converse - check out real estate in your neighbourhood - identify flowers in your neighbours gardens that you might like in yours - etc.

There's a good book of relaxation exercises called "Instant Calm" - I forget the author but can look it up for you.

The constant activity is not actually going to burn out your adrenal glands. Constant STRESS might. We're supposed to continue to put cortisol in our system. That's why we have the glands :-)

Invest a little bit of time to write lists of things to do and check them off. That way all you have to do when you're thinking of this stuff you need to do is to go "it's on the list - I'll do it"

Don't be so hard on yourself. You're a great gal. You have hopes and dreams and aspirations. You might not find that they are entirely shared by those immediately around you, but there are other people who care about you who want good things for you too.

Also be aware that SSRI medications like Prozac can cause you to be agitated. You might want to discuss this with your doctor if you are finding that it is difficult to settle down - particularly if it is interfering with your sleeping.

Answer 2

I'm the same way, actually! Falling asleep is a challenge because my mind is slow to shut down and I have a hard time just sitting and watching a movie or TV without fidgeting. I always have to listen to music when I walk, too, and I get bored easily. I don't view this as a bad thing, though. It's just who I am. When I get really antsy, I put on a sound effects CD (water sounds soothe me) and do some deep breathing. My mind still wanders, but the soothing sounds do help me chill out. I have to make sure I exercise everyday, too, if possible, to work out the energy. Honestly, though, I've never thought there was something wrong with me and I don't think there is anything wrong with you either. Just have an outlet and you'll be fine. You don't need drugs.

Answer 3

I have the same issue, can't stop my mind. For me I have found some help with using a focus word. Find a word that is calming, then when you begin to meditate focus on that word. You can say the word and image it in your mind, this way you're not going other directions. It takes time but with some patience (I know, I know) you will be able to meditate longer and longer before becoming distracted. Start with going a couple times a day for 5 minutes at a time and work your way up. There are meds available but if you are able to do without them I strongly recommend doing so. We have wonderful minds suppressing them with drugs is not always the answer. Good luck and if you need any other info drop me a line. YALF it up.

Answer 4

Just enjoy being able to have a mind that goes haywire some people sit on their computers all day and only think about the next toilet break away from the screen I think i would rather be you than some boring old fart doing and thinking nothing
ps if you need something to do that keeps you busy go down to the shops and steal me a laptop...if you get caught this conversation never happened ........keep being you i like you the way you are xx

Answer 5

I think your first hurdle is to get past the many times you seem to be saying "I must" or "I can't". They are not true. What you must do is learn to relax, and you can't do that as long as you say you "must" do a million things at once and you can't meditate. Your mind is controlled by you and you alone. My mind is like yours, full of a million things. But if I make the effort, little by little, I CAN meditate. I CAN relax a bit. I CAN avoid making choices to fill my mind with a million thoughts. Only you can control what happens to you, and while that control will never be complete or easy, you CAN. If you want to.

Answer 6

Do the things you already mentioned, about sitting and relaxing. But instead of or in addition to, "emptying" your head, why not listen to some relaxing, soothing mood music. Something along the lines of new age instrumentals, or cool jazz would be helpful.

Answer 7

a lot of people here gave good advices, i shall say only to give up abt Prozac, right now! and the other is control yourslef at once, it will be hard but only you are the master your heart and mind... remember, life is not easy, better days will come... anything worthy its always with sacrifice never easy... you will have better days and relax... think right what's is wrong and starting the opposite, every day you will win little by little... good luck!

Answer 8

Don't worry about the cortisol...your body will only put out as much as you need for energy and will be burned off. Maybe you have ADHD? I've heard of adults who discovered it later in life.

Answer 9

You have to do the opposite of what you are doing. You have to think through the things that are on your mind. You can't dismiss them that just doesn't work. If you spend time thinking them through and going through all of the "worst cases" eventually you mind relaxes and those topics go away.

Answer 10

Drink a couple glasses of a nice cabernet in the evening...and once the weather is better, just sit outside and listen to the world... it will work.