floatingspirit

Date posted: 3y

Ways to relax? Advice appreciated

Hi all - I’m wondering if anyone has ideas for reducing ocd aside from medication? I’m not looking for a perfect solution, but I have read a lot about things like yoga, meditation and other things helping to reduce stress and ocd thoughts. I try to read or watch tv, but I don’t find it mentally stimulating to where I don’t have ocd thoughts. I used to love video games, since they’re very engaging and better than mindless tv (in my opinion), but I also don’t want to turn to video games as a way of avoiding my anxieties and then have that as my go-to stress reliever. I enjoy walks and music also, but I also feel like I need to be doing two tasks at the same time to keep myself distracted (such as walking and listening to music, listening to podcast, etc). Doing just one task makes it hard for me to concentrate. It’s gotten to the point where trying to relax actually makes me stressed, which puts me in a weird loop of trying to find out how to relax - stressed - try harder to relax - more stress, etc. Does anyone have things in particular that help them relax?

dragon_calves

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

It is so hard, isn’t it? Distraction is fine, but can easily be avoidance, so I agree with you that it isn’t the best. I do think think that breath work and meditation can be helpful if really practiced. As for other things.. mindfulness likely helps. So learning how to distance from thoughts and emotions. If good enough, then it makes it easier to relax. I’d love to hear other ideas though.

floatingspirit

Date posted: 3y

Meditation and mindfulness seems very intimidating, thought I understand what you mean when you talk about distractions becoming a form of avoidance, especially things such as tv or video games…

floatingspirit

Date posted: 3y

Though sometimes I feel like I don’t let myself relax.. part of me says video games or tv is a waste of time, so I’m kinda caught between not doing it and indulging as a form of avoidance

dragon_calves

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

@floatingspirit What helps me know if it is avoidance is: why am I watching tv/playing games/etc? Is it because I want to? If yes, go forth not avoidance. If no and it is to numb anxiety, then stay away.

floatingspirit

Date posted: 3y

@dragon_calves Can I ask what a common example of avoidance would be?

Nica

Date posted: 3y

Exercise, meditation, yoga, practicing mindfulness constantly, sewing, knitting, go out with friends or family, going to the movies, hiking, camping, reading… There are some activities, like gaming, that can become a distraction. So you just have to watch that a bit more carefully.

floatingspirit

Date posted: 3y

Thank you for the advice! It’s certainly very challenging for me to relax and actually relax… sometimes people just say to watch some tv or listen to music, but are often unaware of how difficult it is for me to focus on just one task 😅

dragon_calves

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

This is a great list! I would argue, though, that anything can be avoidance if used for the purpose of numbing anxiety. This includes hanging out with family and friends. For some reason, we think this only happens with tv and video games :)

Nica

Date posted: 3y

@dragon_calves I gave just one example out of many. That doesn’t mean I *only* think TV and gaming can become a distraction or a way of avoidance.

floatingspirit

Date posted: 3y

@Nica Thank you for the advice! It’s really appreciated 😁

floatingspirit

Date posted: 3y

@dragon_calves Thanks for the advice!!!

dragon_calves

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

@Nica I know, I’m just not sure if everyone that reads this knows that :) I didn’t in the beginning and thought many things were fine even if they were avoidance

Nica

Date posted: 3y

@dragon_calves I’ve posted the same thing many times over the years here; same advice. The majority of people know.

Privacyyyx

Date posted: 3y

I’m 14 and my ocd is quite severe, i don’t take meds and i don’t have a therapist at the moment. But some ways i help myself are; Reading (mostly books focused on ocd), Not focusing too much on the ocd itself so not constantly checking NOCD or Reddit (as this can make it worse), Getting out the house (this is a big one), Let your emotions out it’s natural, Spend time with your values (could be pets, family, friends or even things you like doing) and just don’t take ocd too seriously. I hope this helps atleast someone in a similar situation. I’m not in panic all the time anymore so something im doing must be working.

Privacyyyx

Date posted: 3y

@Ruee I have had ocd since i was very little and have gone through SO many subtypes during that time.

DO22

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 3y

Thank you for this, I wish I had your insight when I was your age. I've only just received this diagnosis after 25 years.

Privacyyyx

Date posted: 3y

@DO22 Sorry to hear that, i cant imagine how hard it must have been to not know what was wrong with you.

joshd

Date posted: 21w

Trying not to think of intrusive thoughts

I been dealing with OCD my entire life but recently I been finding it really difficult to find the slightest relief. I know it’s not good to do but I been trying not to think of the thoughts but of course they come back even stronger. Does anyone know what I could do in the meanwhile ? Thank you

Dreamydream

Date posted: 20w

Medication or supplements

Hiii - hope everyone is having a good day! Has anyone found any type of medication or supplements helpful with thinking sooo deeply about everything and intrusive thoughts? I’m in therapy + doing erp but my brain in this relapse of ocd just thinks sooo deep into my brain and i can’t seem to not to do it pull myself out. Like I’m just paranoid. An example would be if i simply look at my arm I’ll think so deeply about it like what’s under my arm what’s it look like inside etc. but if anyone not in this cycle looks at their arm they’ll be like hmm ok cool my arm and move on w their day. Just looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience of what I’m feeling rn.

Gmoki

Date posted: 15w

How to be alone with your thoughts besides ERP?

Hi - just for some context, I have OCD and ADHD. I hate bringing this up, but with these diagnoses, when intertwined, there is ALWAYS a thought. I never stop thinking. This is really hard, especially because I feel like I always need to be talking to someone. Whether it’s my friends or family, talking to people brings me down to earth from certain kinds of thought spirals. However, when I’m alone it is the hardest. When my friends don’t reply I have this compulsion to text again or I need to constantly check my notifications so that I have none left to check. But then to them or new people I talk to, this behavior probably comes across as overwhelming or too much. I’m trying to control it and use erp, but also, I have my moments where I’m just vunerable and give into the compulsion. It’s genuinely so embarassing and maybe not as big a deal as I’m making it out to be but, how do I manage? And how do I relax?

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