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Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

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Re: Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

#21

Post by disturbed »

ozmaverick72 wrote: post #7

I feel exactly the same. Exercise helps. Psychologist helps a bit. Medication helps too. Talk to people. You might find that more people than you think feel similar.

Thank you. The thought of medication makes me sad, I don’t know why. I am seeing a therapist. Not sure if helps, I’ve only been in three or four sessions.

For some reason I don’t like talking to people. Usually I don’t know what to say and I don’t find interesting the things others talk about. I know it sounds selfish but I don’t know how to pretend to be interested.

Re: Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

#22

Post by craigr1972 »

not_smart wrote: post #8
craigr1972 wrote: post #2

I swim in cold water, every day if possible and ideally before work in the morning. This has been a game changer in terms of reducing anxiety, being much better able to cope with difficulties and frankly, making me into a much happier and healthier version of myself. So much so that if I don't get in the cold water for a day or two then I just feel like .. bleurgh. If you've read "Flowers for Algernon" and recall tow…

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I have tried running but like everything else, I give up after a few days. And also when running my mind is still racing with me...

Running with people is even better than running alone if it's an option for you. Communities like "Park Run" and "Good Gymn" and no doubt many others multiply the benefits of simply running.

Re: Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

#23

Post by ianai »

I worked in gambling for the start of my career too. It’s a toxic atmosphere at absolutely every level. They generally run on a principle of assuming IT is worthless to the company and just a money dumpster fire. The way they treat you has no reflection on your ability. At times, just the weather alone dictates the mood of management. Others, management is actively alcoholic, on the job!

I’d do everything and anything that could make your life more stable. The biggest, positive place to start is, and this can take a lot of work, sleep. Make proper sleep your first priority every day. There’s a whole lot that can make sleep better or worse, so there’s no way for me to be complete. But maybe consider going for a walk, writing in a journal, and consistent, exactly on the same time every day melatonin slow release - and low dose.

Re: Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

#24

Post by disturbed »

amiga_500 wrote: post #19
fwsgonzo wrote: post #12

First off, its probably a toxic work environment, and second, you're at a stage where the walls are closing in so it feels worse than it is. Programming is inherently a creative art with a core of logic and reason. For example, you can solve your business case by writing shell scripts instead of Java. By toxic environment, I mean that there are things at work that contribute, such as the way your coworkers talk to yo…

Second the point on financial security. I'm successful, I have a good job at a good company, earning a good wage. I'm in charge of lots of systems and people. But I'm not financially secure, because land prices have detached from wages. You can't work your way out of this hole. That is not your fault. Why are there so many jobs in industries we hate (gambling, finance, advertising). Because the west is a financialize…

Thanks for taking time... I live in south-eastern Europe. Gambling/betting here is rampant. I feel like I’m contributing to the problem, but can’t seem to find the way out.

Re: Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

#26

Post by owurkan »

East-Link wrote: post #10
craigr1972 wrote: post #2

I swim in cold water, every day if possible and ideally before work in the morning. This has been a game changer in terms of reducing anxiety, being much better able to cope with difficulties and frankly, making me into a much happier and healthier version of myself. So much so that if I don't get in the cold water for a day or two then I just feel like .. bleurgh. If you've read "Flowers for Algernon" and recall tow…

There's nowhere I could easily swim, would showering in cold water help?

Cold showers can be a way to regain control through positive morning priming. I wrote this how-to a few years ago: https://medium.com/the-mission/a-year-of-cold-showers-662ec6...

Re: Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

#28

Post by atomashpolskiy »

Most of us have anxiety and/or depressed mood nowadays. Have you read Capitalist Realism? It provides a coherent explanation of what is going on.

There are no good recipes for getting out of this state of mind (because you can't escape from reality). You may heal the symptoms by exercising, meditating and taking medications.

To cure the cause though would require significantly changing your attitude and reconciling your goals in life.

E.g.:

- work is just work; it's neither a way of expressing yourself, nor should it be used to measure your success in life

- maintain and nurture close relationships with your family and friends; establish relationships based on shared interests and fun, rather than on economical utility

- be political, engage in local and global communities; politics underlies everything and gives people a higher purpose in life, but somehow we all have been deprived of it in XX century; seek leaders and inspirations and try to become one yourself (e.g. in a local community)

Re: Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

#29

Post by disturbed »

ianai wrote: post #23

I worked in gambling for the start of my career too. It’s a toxic atmosphere at absolutely every level. They generally run on a principle of assuming IT is worthless to the company and just a money dumpster fire. The way they treat you has no reflection on your ability. At times, just the weather alone dictates the mood of management. Others, management is actively alcoholic, on the job! I’d do everything and anythin…

Thanks

Re: Ask HN: Anyone else in constant anxiety and how do you cope?

#30

Post by disturbed »

threeseed wrote: post #9

1) Religiously exercise every single day ideally in the morning as it will set the tone for the rest of the day. 2) Make your diet clean and light. No soft drinks. No heavy carbs. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables etc. 3) Stop worrying about accomplishing anything. The point of life is to be happy and enjoy the journey not be in some race with others. 4) If you give up after a few days then just pick smaller thing…

I always feel like I’m wasting time and should be learning or trying to find another job. Then I start thinking about what to learn, what could I possibly do, since the domain knowledge I have is about gambling. Then I open the browser and.... down the rabbit hole I go
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