In the beginning, God created light, and a whole host of other very good things. And then, after a bit of a rest and a lie down, he blessed the earth with millions of teeming creatures, all thrilled to part of this wondrous creation. But by day 17, some of them became restless, and irritable, and unsettled and frankly - a little bit anxious about all sorts of different stuff.
This carried on, unabated, for many moons. And then, on day 17,061, God created tranquilizers. And that day was a good day, and all anxious animals and panic-plagued peoples rejoiced.
Tranquilizers are awesome, but sadly (cue wailing and gnashing of teeth), the sadistic doctors won't let us take them all the time.
So what else is there?
Rescue Remedy
Does this actually work? I have absolutely no idea. I pump it onto my tongue furiously whenever I'm starting to freak out, but it may well just be a placebo. All I know is that if I'm *really* freaking out, nothing short of being shot with an elephant tranquiliser will help, so spritzing some flower water on my tongue feels a wee bit like putting a band-aid on a broken leg. But I'm happy to be proven wrong, so readers who have had success with the big RR - let me know!
Lavender Oil
I spray this all over my pillows and sheets, much to my boyfriend's chagrin. He protests that it's like sleeping with his Gran - and to be honest the sheets are just half of it. With a penchant for Agatha Christie's Poirot, and a liking for fusty vintage clothes and afternoon tea, he's essentially made a conjugal pact with a prematurely aged WI leader. But it's very soothing for scary nighttime, so I do it nonetheless.
I also take a multi-vitamin, omega oils and probiotics, because my mum sent me a long article extolling the virtues of acidophilus etc. Apparently it helps the brain too, and can stave off depression? No idea, but no harm taking it (and obviously it's super good for your belly too).
I have also bought a stuffed monkey. With a removable, microwavable, lavender sachet belly. I hope I don't need to explain why this is a good idea.
Oh, and a nifty roller-ball hand mitt massager thing. The kind of thing that's advertised on day-time TV alongside no-win-no-pay legal cover and incontinence products. I found it on one of my regular excursions to Superdrug, and it's actually really cool for anxiety crippled neck and shoulders etc. Hooray for consumer gullibility - sometimes it really pays off!
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2 comments:
This - "He protests that it's like sleeping with his Gran - and to be honest the sheets are just half of it. With a penchant for Agatha Christie's Poirot, and a liking for fusty vintage clothes and afternoon tea, he's essentially made a conjugal pact with a prematurely aged WI leader" - is too funny. Plus you know you're super hot really. It's good to hear the strategies you're using. I've never found Rescue Remedy any use at all but my very anxious son uses the night-time one which professes to still the mind. He says if he thinks about the worrying things they are still there but it helps him to not dwell on them and drift off peacefully.
Aww, shucks, thanks Sara. And I think I should get some anxiety lessons from your son - he sounds AWESOME and very cool :)
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