Existential Health

[twobone]

It’s weird. Now that I’m in my 50s and so much of my life is in good order (family, financial future,etc.) I’m finding lately I’m getting the occasional wave of chest tightening unease for no reason.

My mood is a bit darker and my wife is starting to notice. I have a bit of a resting ***** face these days.

I dont know what it is. Like the song lyric…something ain’t exactly right.

There is a bit of a family history of anxiety but up till now it never really hit me. Is it anxiety or just a mid 50s thing?

I know the pandemic has been tough and I haven’t seen my friends much.

This feel like it’s some kind of non-rational subconscious existential dread

Anyone else experienced this?

[LEAKYSEALS951]

They don't call me the weekend worrier for nothing.

[ckelly78z]

There is lots of issues to be somewhat depressed about these days, have a talk with your doctor about your options, maybe talk to a therapist to find the root of your anxiety ?

[GH85Carrera]

You need some fun hobbies. Keep you mind and body busy and too busy to sit and worry.

[mattdavis11]

I do, quite often. Unfinished personal projects make me anxious. 3 timing belts need to be tackled, and I have a bad back. All of us are driving on borrowed time. Mine broke, and it might need a new head.

Our back up car, which would have allowed us to have them taken care of one by one at a shop, was hit and totaled while we were weaving dreams.

Anxiety leads to stress and health problems. Don't let it go that far. Check your blood pressure, everyday. Seek help if it's high.

Lately, I've had to put on the fuch it hat, and let the cards fall as they may.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I'd get a full work up asap. Are you sure this isn't a physical heart issue? Rule out the physical first, then deal with the mental. I've been around lots of folks with depression/anxiety problems. Most of the women I dated in my 40's for example. It is real and can be dealt with. I do some yoga most days, take the dog on long walks and the occasional bike ride to release stress.

[white85carrera]

yes. similar. 56 life is great, retiring in 128 days, wife already retired and we are looking forward to lots of things, but experiencing waves of anxiety or more accurately, your phrasing of un-ease.

I have been in a high stress career(s) for 40 years and always felt I handled it well. normally chill and in a crisis I feel I am the calm one, dialed in. but lately hard to focus, feeling overwhelmed.

not sure the cause, but cutting back coffee, working out more, drinking less. trying to change things up to snap out of it. "non-rational subconscious existential dread" is a perfect description. Ditched the TV years ago, Social Media and off topics might be next as I do feel that is a source of need-less anxiety.

[Roswell]

A few suggestions -

Walk for an hour every day.

Try a quality CBD tincture. For me, this has had a very beneficial effect on anxiety.

Research the supplement Niagen. I take it daily.

Doctors tend to write a script for prozac when they hear the word anxiety. Do your research before going down that rabbit hole.

Good Luck!

[twobone]

Originally Posted by white85carrera

yes. similar. 56 life is great, retiring in 128 days, wife already retired and we are looking forward to lots of things, but experiencing waves of anxiety or more accurately, your phrasing of un-ease.

I have been in a high stress career(s) for 40 years and always felt I handled it well. normally chill and in a crisis I feel I am the calm one, dialed in. but lately hard to focus, feeling overwhelmed.

not sure the cause, but cutting back coffee, working out more, drinking less. trying to change things up to snap out of it. "non-rational subconscious existential dread" is a perfect description. Ditched the TV years ago, Social Media and off topics might be next as I do feel that is a source of need-less anxiety.

Good to know I’m not alone! Thanks

[twobone]

Funny that coffee came up…caffeine seems to help….but is that part of the problem?

I only drink 2-3 a day, but maybe the impact of my addiction has changed with age

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

You need some fun hobbies. Keep you mind and body busy and too busy to sit and worry.

50 years old, he probably needs a corvette and a girlfriend!

[Seahawk]

[

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I'd get a full work up asap. Are you sure this isn't a physical heart issue? Rule out the physical first, then deal with the mental. [edit] I do some yoga most days, take the dog on long walks and the occasional bike ride to release stress.

Great input.

Originally Posted by Roswell

A few suggestions -

Walk for an hour every day.

Try a quality CBD tincture. For me, this has had a very beneficial effect on anxiety.

Research the supplement Niagen. I take it daily.

Doctors tend to write a script for prozac when they hear the word anxiety. Do your research before going down that rabbit hole.

Good Luck!

Excellent as well although I have no experience with Niagen.

My disabled vet friend suffers from anxiety and the CBD has helped.

Best of luck.

[craigster59]

I think in these times, you can't get away from anxiety and negativity no matter how hard you try. Social media and 24 hour news keep the cycle going even if you try and avoid it.

For me, having to work in these COVID times just makes a high stress, high energy job that much harder. Changing schedules due to COVID infection, working all day in a mask, repeated COVID testing, it takes a toll.

Even the little things bubble up to the surface. I was taking the 911 from Santa Clarita to Burbank to get it smogged (failed the other day) and I have to drive along Interstate 5 the whole time. Lots of large trucks, people who drive like a holes.

All I could dwell on was taking a rock to my West German glass windshield. Stupid I know, but that was my big anxiety trigger.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by twobone

This feel like it’s some kind of non-rational subconscious existential dread

Anyone else experienced this?

Welcome to my life. I have been like this for as long as I can remember (since 2, 3, 4 years old). I'm 57 now.

Dread is the best word I've ever found to describe it. I walk around on a daily basis with this constant level of dread. But...when I try and identify what I am dreading, I can't. I just dread everything.

As I said, I have always been this way...but...it is worse now and I think Covid (and the world in general) is making it worse. I now find it difficult to enjoy the things I used to enjoy. It's like I can never just relax and have fun - every event in my life has dread associated with it.

And, my wife made me cut back to almost zero beer drinking and that doesn't help.

[LWJ]

Hmmm. 55 here. Similar in that my life is very much in order.

High stress career and always managed it very well. Until COVID.

Anxiety went nuts recently.

I have been doing lots of hobby / outdoor things which really help. But, Doc put me on some mild meds that either did more help or convinced me that they do. Not certain. Doc also recommended a counselor. Not sure that helps but it is nice to have someone chat with.

Funny that you captioned this "Existential Health." I have been pondering this question for months.

Just did a vacation and the question of "what do I do with the rest of my life" wouldn't go away.

No answers here.

[cabmandone]

Weed is legal up in your part of the world. Go grab some gummies and "fahgeddaboudit"

Seriously though, I think we're so bombarded with negativity that even the most optimistic, upbeat person would have some anxiety.

[1990C4S]

I had very a stressful career, I always had 50 to 100 employees reporting to me.

I recently stepped back to a small office with seven employees, and I have never slept so well in my life.

You need to figure out what the stress is.

[livi]

55 and similar. I am starting to think I should read up on my Marcus Aurelius or any other stoic legend. No matter the reason, in the end its all about the mindset. Many of us have probably worked hard for many years. Almost racing to fulfill and accomplish this or that goal. I feel I have reached some kind of plateau. I really just want to wind down and take it easy. Alas, I believe, therein lies the feeling of emptiness, a bit lost maybe even useless in a sense.

[creaturecat]

i would recommend outdoor exercise. in fresh air. get the heart rate up.
maybe a daily dose of Eckhart Tolle? it can work wonders ....
a 5-10 mg gummy bear might be worth a try. scares some folks - might not be for you.

[Eric Hahl]

Perhaps low testosterone.