How to destress ??

what are some ways that you de-stress after a long day ?

I find I cannot turn my thoughts off no matter what I try and sometimes things I attempt for relaxation, make it worse.

For example: my boyfriend suggested massage therapy a while back because I am always so tense and he thought it would be a good way to relax. Wrong! It was perfect in theory, but I found the entire time I was thinking about what the therapist thought about me, not being comfotable being half nude while a stranger massaged my back - I'm certain by the time I left, I was more tense than when it began. 
I've also thought of just taking a nice walk through a park or the mall but I often find it difficult to go places alone because I get really anxious - I cannot tell you the number of times I've woken up, told myself I can take on the day, planned to make dinner and got ready and went to go shopping, only to sit in the parking lot for 20 min worrying about anything and everything, not end up going into the store (I don't even know why sometimes!) and then going home feeling defeated. Clothes shopping I hate as well because I get anxious when sales people hover around and I can't make decisions on if something looks good or not. Haha so I guess massage and shopping are out as ways to relax.

Ideas?? (I wanna avoid just sitting at home and reading or taking a bath - these things are nice, but don't occupy my mind long enough to distract me from the worried thoughts).  

Hello,
A couple of things you can do are try breathing exercises and exercise in general.
Proper breathing methods are described in the links in the top forum post. However there are a few that I have used and the one I like best goes as following:
Breath in through your nose for 4 seconds until you feel your lungs are full.
Exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds until you feel your lungs are empty.
Repeat for about 5-15 minutes

Additionally you can try the breathing technique of imaging you are filling up "layers" as you take a breath. This is usually done by breathing in through your nose and imaging that you are filling up the first layer, the second layer, and finally the last layer. You hold it briefly then exhale through your mouth imaging that you let the last layer out first, then the second, and finally the first.
I would also recommend meditation in the morning.

As far as exercise goes if you are able to do so I think you would find much benefit. I understand the gym can be a little daunting as the majority of the people that go up there are fit and trim, but if you could find one that was open 24 hours you might have an easier time finding a slot in the day when there aren't as many people there and so your anxiety might go down from being alone.

These are things I have tried and have seen worked for me. I currently am unable to exercise because I just don't feel well enough at the moment. But if you can I would recommend it. Walking/running especially releases a lot of the excess adrenalin you might have and is a great way to de-stress. I would also recommend cutting out/down the caffeine intake as that can be counter-intuitive to your de-stress.

-Rxclusion

It sounds like you need a distraction more than anything right now to get yourself away from the pattern of worrying.

My advice to you is to find something that you enjoy--something that distracts you as much as anything can--and do that to de-stress. I'm also a chronic worrier and I find that when I have free time I worry and worry and worry. Distraction helps.

I've also found that something that is guided--for me, it's a CD with guided muscle relaxation--can help, because I have to do something and not just sit in my head. Now I'm so used to it though that I have time to worry, so it may not work for you.

Hang in there. Breaking the cycle of worrying is so hard.

Av

Yoga rocks! I can sleep if I do yoga and nothing is better than a good nights sleep, Best of luck!

Dear AA
I only have experience with one anti-anxiety/panic med its xanax, I have used it in all three strengths
never had any dependence problems but I only use it when I am up against the wall, so to speak.

In as much as weight is not a problem for you I would just eat reasonably healthy and not too many empty carbs, have you ever did any free weights?

You may be a high strung woman, just your nature, but try reading some meditative type things, I use the Rosary many times at night I have gone to sleep in the middle of it, its really a good self discipline for me.

I Pray that you will be free from all fears, worries, sickness.

Larry ***

Honestly almost anything except drinking helps, if it distracts, forces us to think or deal with problem solving,
when one is rock bottom the smallest bit of house work anything that would allow you to give yourself a pat on the back. You are way past this and I can tell your a very strong willed woman, eventually you would have been able to think your way clear, but I'm glad you have come to us for companionship and healing. The truth is everyone on earth could do with a mental/moral tun up and its nice to have people who really care about you, those of us who are struggling find internal healing when we reach out to someone else who is hurting.
We are all lined us waiting for You to get your daily Hug!
Larry ***