A couple exercises for those with trouble with ruminating thoughts and/or sleep

[Ravenshark52]

I do the lyric thing with myself all the time. My favorite one is from the band Mastodon. There song "The Sparrow" only lyrics is "Bless your happiness with diligence". I say this to myself all the time.
I have many more that don't make much sense to my life but just make me happy. I also love Iron Maiden lyrics. But recently Mastodon has been helping me too. I love both those bands!
The music thing really works! I will try the sticky note thing too! Thanks for the sharing!

[1mitchelkester]

I will try this!.  I listen to recordings on my cell phone that really help me with my day.  I just need to be more consistent with this!  That is my problem with most everything.

when I'm very anxious, I just want someone to pay attention to me.  It won't shut off.

[Collegekid22]

Excellent message and very interesting exercises. I am currently having more anxiety during the night and having trouble sleeping and I will give that method a try. I appreciate it Tam, very insightful and also informative. Thank you. 

[sameer777]

thanks i will try that too .... thanks once again.....

[Sammy-Claire]

Thank you for these two great ideas, I am going to try them out.

[MzDawn74]

Thank you for the suggestions..I've heard of the post it notes before, but not the positivity box! I love the idea!!

[Kiity_Kat11]

Thanks for the Cue Card idea. Never thought of it. Might tweak it a little

[Tybo65]

Good stuff, from watching a lot of Dexter I imagine putting alot of my issues and worrries into a big chest and tossing it overboard on a ship, and then crawling up into a hammock and swaying with the ocean...lol totaly random but it kinda works.

[mckillshark]

Thanks so much! Very helpful, I really like the post-its, particularly because it makes the thoughts tangible and removable.
When I ruminate at night, I like to write in my "anxiety journal" exactly what I'm feeling anxious about: why this makes me anxious and what are the possible solutions or conclusions that can happen... I find this usually does the trick. It just takes a while for me to realize that I'm ruminating excessively and should start writing.

[pen750]

I really appreciate you sharing those exercises, I am definitely going to give them a try. I'll let you know how it goes.

[nicole2003]

I am going to try this..hope it helps

[supemery]

I used to keep all of my markers and crayons in two old photo boxes. Tonight I'm going to empty them out and start using them for the cue cards and for putting my worries in (rather than on the wall). I mentioned seeing this in my "introduce Yourself" post--this is one of the posts that really showed me that using this site would be a big help in assisting me with finding solutions/activities to alleviate my anxiety.

A random note: my old roommate used to put things like this all around the room and it made our room such a beautiful place. Just looking around, you could see all the love and support we gave each other. Now that I'm not living with her, I'm hoping that the box will make me feel just as happy! Also, in the first dorm I lived in, my RA put that wall art stuff up in our bathroom that said "you are beautiful" right above the mirror. Maybe if people really like decorating and such, they could run down to the hardware store, get some of those wall letters, and put up a similar saying or even their own mantra.

[quietonehfx]

Thanks very much for your post!

I think a worry journal or post its are a great idea.

I tried writting posative statements from my zen book... this slowed my thoughts down and allowed me to focus on posative things. Like you have the tools you need with you, you can do it.... You are worthy of love and support

I think I will try your cue cards...

also I am trying guided meditation for when I wake in the middle of the night. I have the mp3 on my cell phone and turn it on...i may not be sleeping but at least my body is trying to relax.

[CrazyCakes]

Yes, thank you for the suggestions... for whatever reason, I too find it easier to deal with anxiety and organize my racing thoughts if I physically write them down.
I also tend to get paranoid that nobody likes me, so I'm thinking a little affirmation book would also be a good idea.  :)

[MerlinwithanM]

Never thought of the sticky notes, but such a great idea.

[SusieQ]

:) im gonna try the positive box :) once i tried a method..um i got a note book and every single day i was writing down 10 things what am i greatful for today or what good things happend to me during the day to see that also good things happend during the day and so i was trying to focus on the nice side of the day and it helped me a bit :)

[gerardwolfe]

Thanks for sharing, I have these types of thoughts too; however, mine are intrusive, negative and irrational... I find mindfulness meditation works WONDERFUL!!! I am facing my fearful thoughts that I avoided all these years and it is truly working... the funny thing is that I am worrying about worry and thoughts that might never happen or have happened and it never did anything.. NEVER... it is great to hear that others are fighting the fight and beating anxiety

[louisedge123]

What you do with ruminating thoughts

is to NEVER try and push them away ... let them be there and starve them till they dye off

why not invite that thought to play over in your mind over and over again and let it keep going

you will probably find you will probably start thinking of something else sooner or later.

x

[B Boop]

this sounds like something i need to do. Mornings are the worst for me......Are you still a member on here?

[heartstringz]

Thank-you!! I am going to get some post-it notes today and try it.  I have a major problem with ruminating thoughts and have been looking for ideas which might help.

What I currently do (and it does help) is keep a notebook with me and write 'what am I anxious about?'...........'why am I anxious about it?'........'how can I solve it?........

It helps me get some clarity and focus on fixing the problem instead of worrying about it.

[allmostawake]

Great stuff!! I'll try them both. It's funny (well not really) but the longer I live with the many facets of depression/anxiety/panic I realize that there are (at least for me) 2 distinct things I have to real with and recognize. 1. There IS something wrong with the physiology of my brain. Which resulting in the physical things that I feel and 2. How I process those feelings. I'm convinced that some or even many people experience similar physical symptoms that I do but, the have some innate ability to not bothered by them to the degree that some or most of do.

 For me my biggest problem is that I lost a great job and have been out of work for more than 10 years. Because I no longer live in an area that has huge manufacturing base.  I used to work for Boeing and NASA in the Seattle area. I am back in the SF Bay Area.   And I'm hearing impaired, 60 years old with all the associated health issues of a person who's aging badly.

 I come here to share when I'm feeling hopeless and helpless. And it's a comfort to share with you all. Thanks, Ray

[HaileyAnn]

What wonderful ideas! I should definitely try those, considering it's 1 in the morning and I'm nowhere near sleep because my brain won't quiet down. It's quite frustrating sometimes.

[CanadianGuy87]

Wow, those are really great ideas! I think I might start up that positivity box activity in a bit and put all my anxiety at rest by putting it in the negative box and then never open it again. Thanks for sharing! God Bless! 

[Rainbowlight]

Thank you, Tam for the wonderful suggestions =).

[KTM1028]

Awesome advice .. I will be goung to buy some post it notes today. Maybe i will have these over analyzing thoughts about my marriage out if my head soon. Thank you