Feeling anxious

Sambuca kid 123 · 18-03-2020 12:39am #1

Hello all. So I went through a breakup in October last year. I had started new job and it was a really tough time personally. I had just started getting over it in January.
It was socialising through work and also a team I play for that started to help me.
However the lastest events have thrown my social life out the window and I know everyone is struggling but I'm in so much turmoil.
Work has started to send people to work from home so there's barely anyone that I get on well with still there. I don't want to work from home because I'm by myself and I spend a lot of time by myself as it is. My mother has underlying conditions and most of my friends have family and live far away so I don't want to visit them.
My team has obviously stopped training and games so that's another outlet gone.
Today I went for a run in the morning and a walk in the evening but it's only negative thoughts running around my head. I'm worried about work finishing up and been stuck with nothing to do.
Im trying to read books and watch new TV shows but nothing is helping.
Any suggestions on what else I can do to fill the social void?
I've never suffered from this kind of mental torture before and I want to try and put stop to it.
I did see a counselor after breakup for 3 sessions but I didn't find it beneficial and as I mentioned I was doing well before this month.

Leo Demidov · 18-03-2020 1:30am

Sambuca kid 123 wrote: »

Hello all. So I went through a breakup in October last year. I had started new job and it was a really tough time personally. I had just started getting over it in January.
It was socialising through work and also a team I play for that started to help me.
However the lastest events have thrown my social life out the window and I know everyone is struggling but I'm in so much turmoil.
Work has started to send people to work from home so there's barely anyone that I get on well with still there. I don't want to work from home because I'm by myself and I spend a lot of time by myself as it is. My mother has underlying conditions and most of my friends have family and live far away so I don't want to visit them.
My team has obviously stopped training and games so that's another outlet gone.
Today I went for a run in the morning and a walk in the evening but it's only negative thoughts running around my head. I'm worried about work finishing up and been stuck with nothing to do.
Im trying to read books and watch new TV shows but nothing is helping.
Any suggestions on what else I can do to fill the social void?
I've never suffered from this kind of mental torture before and I want to try and put stop to it.
I did see a counselor after breakup for 3 sessions but I didn't find it beneficial and as I mentioned I was doing well before this month.

This is a really uncertain time for everyone. Would it be appropriate for you to volunteer in the community to maintain some kind of social connection, collecting shopping for the elderly etc? Maybe get out for walks, even alone, it's better than being completely isolated.

Esel · 18-03-2020 1:41am

Ask your boss tomorrow if you can have a private talk. Explain your home situation and your concerns about working from there. They may have some leeway, but they may not.

The current crisis that everyone is facing is desperate, and it is the main immediate issue for you too. You will have to marshall all your resources to face it.

Working from home is not the worst outcome by any means. Set a routine (including timed breaks) and stick to it.

Another very important consideration is your family - would your continuing to go out to work be a serious risk to them? Are they elderly or do they have condition(s) that would make being infected a serious issue?

Lots to think about, but you have to address the situation. You can't change the past events that have brought you down, and you should be putting them to the back of your mind.

Stay positive, and look after yourself.

Kylta · 19-03-2020 9:18am

Getting out and exercising is good it keeps the brain ticking over. Id imagine with teammates and workmates, you could set up Wats groups, that way your kept in the loop, jokes, stories, banter, etc.
And this virus mayhem will pass and life will still go on. Positive thinking will do a massive amount for mental wellbeing.

HildaOgdenx · 19-03-2020 10:42am

Kylta wrote: »

Getting out and exercising is good it keeps the brain ticking over. Id imagine with teammates and workmates, you could set up Wats groups, that way your kept in the loop, jokes, stories, banter, etc.
And this virus mayhem will pass and life will still go on. Positive thinking will do a massive amount for mental wellbeing.

Agreed.

OP, if you are you part of any online groups, it can help. It's something I am finding personally helpful.

It's a tough time and it's very understandable that you are feeling anxious. There are some good resources on the hse website in relation to minding your mental health at this time. There's also a sticky on the Coronavirus forum, with some good resources linked.

As pp have said, working from home may be the best outcome. Keep a structure to your day, if you do start working from home. Keep in touch with colleagues and friends online. Take things one day at a time, and while keeping yourself informed, don't get bogged down in coronavirus news.

There's a couple of nice lighthearted threads in AH, 'where are you right now' and 'trivial things that make you happy' for example and chatting there can help and give you a bit of a giggle.

Mind yourself. This will pass.

Wanderer19 · 23-03-2020 9:45pm

I agree with everything already mentioned but would like to add that doing a hobby you've not done before can help you focus on 'the task at hand' preferably something that uses the hands as well as the mind. Suggestions include calligraphy, painting/art (even the adult colouring books). Candle making, cake decorating, gardening.

Hope that helps, best wishes

Feeling anxious

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