Anxiety!!!

Hi @Venetian_Deer 

Sorry to hear what you have been going through. It is good of you to reach out. This was something I struggled with a lot for a while and I found myself getting no sleep at all. One of the things I was recommended was to journal and reflect on my sleep from the previous night but I also included things like what I ate that day, how much water etc. This helped me immensely, I was able to identify triggers see what a consistent time was, and write out all my worries about sleep which made me less stressed when it came to sleep. I used a template I was given but there are heaps online that could used. 

The tips others have mentioned work well too, but when it came to the middle of the night or right before bed when things were too quiet I would listen to music, put my headphones in and have a specific playlist at the time. These were songs that were calming to me and I needed a reminder to calm down but I could also once my headphones came off kind of have that song stuck in my head. Another one I did, I didn't do this too often but it was to have a light on in the distance, it just sort of helped things feel less quiet. Making it easier for me to sleep. 

When it comes to making friends it can be incredibly hard sometimes. I found doing extracurricular activities or even volunteering helped me make friends outside of school. It helped manage my anxiety somehow a little bit better, maybe because I wasn't surrounded by all the drama high school can bring. It can take time and sometimes you will have to push yourself outside of your comfort zone but it can make a difference.

It is also important to make sure you have hobbies yourself, it can help with your self-care and need to calm down. This can also be a great conversation starter with others and find things you have in common and are interested in. 

I am also wondering if you have anyone you can talk to, family or even a GP about your anxiety. They might be able to offer insights that we haven't thought of and support you during some of these tough times. 

I hope some of these help, reach out again if you are looking for more

Hey @Venetian_Deer,

I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling with your anxiety. As mentioned by other people in the comments, you're not alone in this. When I feel overwhelmed with anxious thoughts I also tend to find that my sleep routine is negatively affected. Some things that have helped me maintain a consistent sleeping routine include:

• Going to sleep around a similar time 
• Limiting screen time before bed
• Keeping my room cool and dark
• Avoiding caffeine late in the day
• Unwinding by reading a book 

As for challenges around making friends, this is something that may (including myself) also struggle with. Thinks I found helpful were:

• Joining clubs/societies at school/the community which interested me
• Being patient with myself and understanding that good quality friendships take time to find and develop
• Having activities I could do independently that brought me a sense of joy, such as reading or doing mind puzzles

Given you're dealing with so much right now, I wonder if you'd feel comfortable reaching out to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist? One way to do this is through your GP who can provide you with contacts in your local area. 

All in all, I'm wishing you the very best moving forward! Please know the ReachOut community will always be here to support you. 💛

Hi @Venetian_Deer, thank you for reaching out. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been going through a lot of anxiety and it sounds like it has been affecting your sleep. I can relate to you about how the anxiety is worse during the night as I also often find myself being unable to sleep because of it. It has been difficult and I’m still in the process of working through it. @MagsMae has provided really great advice about creating a calming night-time routine and dimming your lights to signal your brain that it’s time to rest. If you’re like me, who’s unable to sleep without any light, a warm night light may be helpful. I also found that listening to calming music or ASMRs helps my brain direct its attention to it, making it eventually quiet down, and I would fall asleep soon after.

As for making friends—making friends can be difficult and I know that having trouble with it can feel isolating. I agree with @QuietFocus211 that engaging in activities you enjoy can make it easier to meet people who share the same interests as you and with whom you’ll possibly get along. Building connections can be tough but when the right people come, you’ll know it.

I wish you all the best. The online community will be here for you so feel free to reach out anytime. Sending you lots of hugs and love 🤗💙

Hey @Venetian_Deer !

Thank you so much for sharing! I know how difficult this must be for you. I also used to experience a lot of anxiety, especially when I was trying to get to sleep and everything went quiet, like you said. It can feel really overwhelming when there’s nothing to distract your mind.

Something that has helped me is grounding techniques, like the 5-4-3-2-1 method (naming five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste). It gives my brain something to focus on other than the anxiety. I also find that listening to calming sounds or guided meditations helps when the quiet feels too loud.

When it comes to making friends, I know it can be really tough, especially if anxiety makes social situations feel stressful. Finding small ways to connect, like joining online communities or engaging in activities you enjoy, can make it easier to meet like-minded people without pressure.

I think it would also be wise for you to try to seek the help of a professional, like a counselor or psychologist. They could really help you establish what your anxiety triggers are and how you can overcome them.

You’re not alone in this, and I’m really glad you reached out. I hope you find some support and helpful ideas here! Please take care of yourself ❤️

Hey @Venetian_Deer ,

I’m really sorry to hear you’ve been feeling this way, but I’m so glad you reached out. It takes a lot of strength to ask for support. Just letting you know that you’re not alone, so many people struggle with anxiety, including myself. I have spend countless nights being unable to fall asleep because my brain just won’t shut off. So I know how you feel, it is so incredibly hard and frustrating. Because I have been in the same boat, I hopefully have some coping strategies that could be helpful for you.

One thing that helped me was by creating a calming nighttime routine—something simple like listening to soothing music, journaling, having a cup of herbal tea, or using grounding techniques (like focusing on your breath or noticing things around you) to help you feel more present. Deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques have been super helpful for myself. I also try to stop going on my phone straight before bed, and instead read a book to help calm my thoughts.

Another important change for myself was by creating a calm night environment. A couple of hours before I go to bed I dim my lights and block all blue light on my devices. This signals to my brain that it’s time to relax, helping your body to naturally release melatonin. Just try to avoid bright lights before you go to bed, because it signals to you body its the daytime. It has made a world of difference for me.

Also, I am sorry you have trouble making friends, this is a very common experience. It’s okay to take small steps towards building connections, and you’re not alone in this. Finding people who understand you or even just talking to someone who cares, like here, can be really comforting. You will find your people. You’re doing your best, and that's enough.

If you ever need someone to talk to or share your thoughts with, I’m here for you. You’ve got this, and things will get better, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. All the best 💛