Existential Health

[brainz01]

You are not alone. There's plenty to be stressed about. Was just having this discussion with my doctor.

Good advice has been given (get a checkup, see a therapist, get some exercise), I'll throw some other suggestions out there:

Turn off the TV and social media. Go find a hobby with real human interaction (that's not political).

Consider changing your diet: Many people feel better on diets that eliminate certain foods (sugar, starches, grains, certain veggies, milk, eggs, or meat). I found some significant relief eliminating sugar, grains, and starches and upping my uptake of meat and eggs. Others go vegetarian. It's a process, but different people seem to react differently to different diets.

Vitamin supplements can also help. Magnesium is calming. Vitamin D almost never hurts. And Vitamin B1 (and/or longer acting benfotamine) is also subtly relaxing and can get help lower anxiety.

Also, and this is a new one for me, but consider attending yoga classes. Beginner classes focus on breathing and stretching and can be very calming. And there's usually wimmins in yoga outfits.

Good luck and keep trying.

[cockerpunk]

start with therapy.

[brainz01]

Originally Posted by 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

I've been a big coffee drinker for 30 years. Now 49. Recently had to switch to decaf. Caffeine was definitely making things worse...

I should have mentioned above. Try making any changes methodically (particularly diet). No more than one or two at a time. And consider keeping a log book to note changes in how you feel after a few days or a week, and/or what the circumstances were that made you feel better or worse. It can be difficult to remember or understand what works when you're trying lots of things.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yes
Generally physical exercise helps with stress

My stress is I might be forced to find a new line of work. Not much to be done about it. Too bad.