awake in the middle of the night trying to avoid taling Attivan

It is 1:30 in the morning. i woke up and know that my anxiety is going to get worse as morning arrives. I know that taking an Attivan will help. I know that I shouldn't do it. I tried taking more Chinese herbs as prescribed. I know that the herbs are much more expensive than the Attivan. I am writing to convince myself that I am doing the right thing and hope that I can get back to sleep. i have a very busy and exciting day coming up. I have a school performance of my students who have been rehearsing dances
with me all week. Fortunately, I don't have to get to school first thing in the morning. it is also raining outside which has always made me feel uncomfortable even before i started having anxiety attacks.

What coping skills will help? I am going to try to go back to sleep now. wish me luck.

I'm still awake too. It's almost 2am

Can you try the body relaxation technique where you lay in bed on your back and start with your feet. Flex your feet and hold/tense them then release. Work your way up to your face, flexing/squeezing calves, thighs, arms, hands- whatever is comfortable.

I find this very relaxing & a healthy distraction from the anxiety. There is a link for it in our resources somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

I also find that a warm shower or bath helps a lot. I've showered in the middle of the night before on a night like you're having.

Hang in there- tomorrow is a new beginning & by all means if you just can't shake it, take your Ativan.

Sending love & sleep!
Lisa

I can't find the link right now but this is the gist of the body relaxation method:

The idea is to flex and stretch each part of your body and then tell it to relax. So start with your toes by scrunching them up and letting them go. Move your ankles, and then let them relax. Go up to your calves, your knees and so on until you get to your head, moving and then relaxing each body part. You can do this a couple of times and use the deep breathing technique as well until your whole body feels rested.

Hi Circus Dog

I am pleased you managed to get back to sleep and I wish you well for your day ahead it sounds like you are approaching things in a positive way so well done. I am going to do a post on sleep hygiene so keep an eye out for that.

Hibee

Great attitude CD. Sometimes we just have to cry it out. I did the same this morning. Like you, I felt better after. Good luck today:)

I had a super day with my 8th graders. They did an amazing performance and I was so proud of myself for getting through it all with flying colors. I hope I can now work on at least decreasing my anxiety with no major projects looming.

Glad everything went well. I sometimes take a benedryl an hr. before bed when feeling anxious & restless and it helps me sleep well.
Also before bed youtube meditation videos are calming

all my best

I take valerian root before I go to bed. I cannot take it when I only have a few more hours until I have to get up. The Attivan is for anxiety. I know that . I didn't take it this morning. I am saving it for those extreme times. Hopefully, I will have less and less of them.