NWR: stress and anxiety advice

Has something changed recently in your life? Work? Relationships?

I moved in with my fiancé in May and we've been trying to find a new place. And I just found out I have to go to San Antonio for a month. But I didn't think it bothered me.

When I get too overworked to where the stress and anxiety take over I excuse myself from wherever I'm at (if I'm around people), go into a quiet room and slowly talk myself down to where I'm ok to collect my thoughts and calm down. It sounds really stupid but it actually really helps

Therapy and essential oils. Check out Edens Garden. I diffuse meditation and stress relief.

Could be just a change in things. Write down when your chest gets tight. Try breathing exercises . My anxiety has gotten me for years but I am not on anything now.

Honestly I think it is just things rushing through your life right now.

But honestly if it gets worse you need to see your doctor! Don't let it continue and not get checked.

My FH had heartache 5 yrs ago and the only thing he said was it felt like a elephant was sitting on his chest.

@Jordan I bought herbal anti stress pills that were recommended to me. I just haven't opened or taken them yet

I don't always know what causes my anxiety. I can get anxious when I'm excited or stressed. I finally recognized it as somewhat of a problem and decided to finally talk to my primary care provider about it. That in itself was a huge step for me. I always saw my anxiety as weakness and I'd get anxious about my anxiety. He prescribed a low dose of medicine to help. It's been great! I've also tried to exercise more and find other methods to deal.

@erika I know I have a difficult time taking prescription meds. I do a combo of meditation and diffused essential oils. The capsules should work, but the smell of the diffuser really helps me. It's like my "happy place". If you can't afford a diffuser, you can just put some oil on a q tip and smell it when you're having a hard time. It's a great tool for grounding. I wish you the best!

Be careful of herbals for anxiety or depression, there are some that are HIGHLY reactive to other medications and even some foods.

Please see a therapist and possibly even a psychiatrist (most PCPs do not do a good job of matching people to psychotropic medications), for help with your anxiety. What you are experiencing sounds like panic/anxiety attacks, and they can easily get worse or cause your anxiety to spiral out of control.

Are you seeing a professional?

I would not mess with anything herbal.

@MNA I got this - have you heard of it? My aunt (who is married to an anesthesiologist) said it should be okay to take with my iron supplement and daily vitamin.

I used to take prescription meds from a psychiatrist, but I stopped my freshman year of college because I didn't want to get addicted.

This is only the second time I've had chest pain. First time it lasted a few days. This time, this is the second day.

Just out of curiosity- is herbal stuff really that bad?

I have been dealing with symptoms like yours for the past 7 months.. stress of wedding planning plus dealing with FMIL health declining from cancer. I don't take prescribed medications. I have however found essential oils to be somewhat helpful as well as CBD Oil that was recommended by my doctor. Walking and spending time bonding with nature really helps me and breathing exercises as well a yoga. I really hope you find something that will help because the feeling of dealing with it is awful and I can relate.

I have anxiety too and I find that meditating really helps me.

I've had the same symptoms a few months ago. I decided to try a few things:

Bought a salt lamp that I put on ten minutes before sleeping every night. I also put "stress relief" hand cream on before bed from bath n body works.

I started Yoga at home. Our cable box offers free yoga so I can do it anytime.

As crazy as your schedule gets you need to take care of yourself. And when I would get chest pains or symptoms I sit on the floor. For some reason this helps.

I have severe health anxiety (hypochondria), with a dash of social anxiety... oh joy I was recently prescribed pristiq but it won't be in until Monday. Up until this point I have researched a lot about breathing exercises and yoga. Some of which seem to help. There is also CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), you might consider that. Therapy and counselors can help you work through whatever underlying issues there might be related to your anxiety. One thing that helps me is a 4-5-6 breathing, in for 4 seconds, hold for 5, out for 6 seconds. Worth a shot!!