Been having a tough time

[tenalive]

I've been having a tough time lately. After many years of being pretty good and not letting my anxiety and thoughts take over it seems like it has all of a sudden reappeared. I want to believe that it's all related to the stress and issues I am having related to my relationship with my gf, working from home and not seeing or talking to people much but I am not sure.

When I am active and keeping myself busy I am generally pretty good. But when I am sitting, laying down or doing mindless work I find my brain wondering to focus on negative thoughts. Specifically, I seem to focus on thoughts like "what am I going to think of when I am doing nothing?", "Why does my brain constantly think of stuff and not shut off?" I focus on these and worry and make myself anxious over them. I feel like when I think of outer thoughts.. like thoughts about the day of other things I am fine but when I think inner thoughts... Like listen to the voice in my head then I struggle more with those and why am I listening and focusing on those thought of voice so much more and why does it bother me. I know it's my own voice.

I have also been struggling with my mood. I feel like any sensation I have I over think it and I am like "what is going on with me?" . I constantly think about the sensation such as a stomach ache or headache and just focus on it constantly. I'm not sure why I obsess over these feelings and thoughts.

 

[Cuchculan]

How can you stop yourself thinking inwardly? This is the question here. We all think at times. That is allowed. You just need something close at hand to focus on. When you feel yourself starting to think as you do, you can pick up this item, study it and think about it. Just find any item at all. Maybe something you can even fit in your pocket. You only have to know about it. That is going to be your distraction. Could be a coin. Feel the weight of it. The shape of it. The texture. Anywhere you go, you can bring your distraction item. Let it help you take your thoughts off of yourself.

 

[Coconut]

What you're describing is how you fuel you're anxiety I guess. It's not necessarily what causes the anxiety, but all the why's, what's and if's. Like @Cuchculan says. We all think. It's something we just do. Most people are able to accept thoughts and compulsions and they go on with their day focusing on other stuff. By doing that anxiety doesn't manifest.

Do something external. Dance, sing, have a shower or play a game. At least it might give you a well deserved break.