Monday mornings are the worst for me. Dreading the upcoming holiday. Mindfulness, meditation, and herbal teas usually help but everything being thrown at me lately is too much. Gotta take a step back and say no more
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Hi Teresa - this morning has been horrible for me as well. My go to is exercise or just going for a walk but that hasn’t made a dent this morning. My last resort is just talking about it so I reached out to a couple of people and is the reason I’m on here right now. Rough morning for sure.
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I listen to a podcast called CrapyChildhood fairy she also has free courses that help settle down my anxiety I hope it helps you.
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We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understand Him. My last drink was 9/11/22 and it was over my nephew being a kid and doing what kids do. I was homeless and living with them and he was testing his boundaries to see where he fell in the pecking order. Whether or not he still had to listen to me, or vise versa because it was "his house"... Normal behavior for a 7 year old... I couldn't stand it, and felt like he was challenging me and needed to learn to respect adults...so I drank...
I had been in AA for a couple of weeks before that, but I had no defense against the first drink. I've spent every day since then following ALL of the suggestions of the men in the program, because I was out of options. Prior to this, I wasn't even able to walk into a grocery store without having a panic attack. Putting the drink down was only a step in the right direction. With counseling from multiple providers and the guidance of many men in AA, I can now say that I walk a free man. I am no longer filled with anger and anxiety. I can go anywhere and do anything. 2 years ago, I couldn't even walk down the beer aisle at the grocery store, or walk into a drug store without resenting the enormous beer display smacking me in the face as I walked into their store.
I have recovered from a hopeless state of mind and body. It was through daily prayer and meditation, and actively working the 12 steps that my fears and anxiety no longer control my life. Alcohol was just a symptom, and my solution to my problems. 
Praying for you!
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I practice box breathing, it helps me with anxiety. I do it every night before I go to bed. Have you ever tried it???
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I know man it's already been a long day and it's only 230. That's why I used to drink to drown it but turned out that made it much worse
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I'll def check it out
Thanks
You have no idea how much reading that helped. Thank you so much for sharing that. There will ALWAYS be a reason to drink but that can NEVER be an option for me again
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I have never even heard of it Troy
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I'm only repeating things that I've heard and learned in AA. There's nothing in my life that gets better if I pick up a drink. I have learned that I am different, mind and body. As soon as any alcohol enters my system, the phenomenon of craving is introduced and my body demands MORE! I also have a mental obsession with alcohol, where I think about it all throughout my day. I used to think- I can't wait until after work, when I'm going to get to drink x,y,z. Or - I had a shitty day, I NEED a drink. Or - I worked hard today, I deserve a drink! Or - I'm mourning, celebrating, watching the game and everyone else drinks during these times.
These were all lies that I sold myself, and that's my disease. It's the only disease I know of that tells you everything is just fine, when in reality it isn't. That's why I had to admit to my innermost self that I'm an alcoholic, and my life was unmanageable. Step 1, the only step I need to get perfect every day. Don't drink between now and the time that I go to bed...I can do that. I WILL do that!!
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Much worse, still had all the problems, more anxiety and felt like garbage. At least we have the energy to deal with it now even if it is unpleasant.
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Yoga, or I take my meds and shut down. If yoga can't fix it, it's time to lay down and shut down. I take hydroxyzine (allergy medication) need be. Usually yoga, maybe some deep breathing exercises. Definitely put my face in a bowl of ice water or take a cold shower.
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Look it up it is really amazing.
You slowly breathe in for 4 seconds. hold the breath in your stomach, not your chest. like you’re breathing into a straw. while listening to your heartbeat holding the breath for 4 seconds. Then flowing blowout while listening to your heartbeat for four seconds.
Then don’t breathe for four seconds while listening to your heartbeat, then slowly breathe back in for four seconds while listening to your heartbeat do this over and over again you’ll be amazed and centered. It helps you get 
Box breathing added to my toolbox! Thanks Troy, it does help
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Never heard of ice water for anxiety but I'll try anything. Thanks Josh
Sure. I've dealt with pain every moment of every day for 20+ yrs and anxiety is one of those things that just accompanies the pain.
A bit of science on the matter... cold water therapy can help with anxiety by activating the vagus nerve, which slows the heart rate and breathing and puts the body into a "rest-and-digest" mode. This is known as the parasympathetic mode and can help the body relax after a stressful event. Cold water can also trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol and noradrenaline, which can wake people up. In addition, cold water may increase endorphins...
That’s beautiful I’m glad it helps
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Rest and digest!
My anxiety can reach peaks where I pace and can't sit still, even unable to eat anything bec my stomach is tied in knots. I thank you for explaining about the vagus nerve! So sorry about your chronic pain. I'm glad we don't need to drink over it, just for today 
Anxiety is anger driven within. It has a lot to do with our character defects and practicing the 7thstep of asking God to take them away. Understand our humility and that we are not in control. Trust God to bear the burdens. Pray pray pray for serenity and surrender your will.
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Anxiety is anger driven within. That makes a lot of sense. Alcohol made me angry. I must be holding onto something I can't let go of
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