How can a naturally anxious person keep from worrying while laid up in bed with a broken ankle and leg?

I’m laid up right now and I’m an anxious mess. I’m worried about finances and now my car. My mom said the engine sounded funny when she brought it over to her place, where I’m staying.

I’m getting surgery to fix my ankle tomorrow and I’ll hopefully be wfh a week after that. But I will have missed an entire pay period. My big bills are coming up next week, and idk if I’ll have enough to pay them. I also can’t afford a new car, and I’m afraid I’ll need a new one soon.

I’m so overwhelmed. I’ve been close to tears for almost an hour. I’m sure the excruciating pain of my severely broken bones isn’t helping. I’ve been trying to distract myself with TV, games, and crafts, but the anxiety is still persistently at the back of my mind.

Bongo_Stryker,

If your car drives, and it’s not really old, you probably don’t have to buy a whole new car to deal with whatever issue is making it “sound funny”. Maybe there’s nothing wrong at all, your mom just thinks it sounds funny cuz she’s not used to driving it? I just feel like, if the car actually goes, it’s unlikely to be anything catastrophic.

Do you have pain meds? I think that will help reduce the stress on you, cuz constant pain can make everything seem worse than it is. I also wonder if you have any anxiety meds? If not, I can recommend CBD/CBN for a very gentle calming effect, and It doesn’t make you all high. Maybe you can talk your Mom into getting you some.

I’m sorry you’re hurt. Do you have anyone that can come hang out with you? Seems like being in pain and stuck alone can make things seem worse too. I wish I could help you more to feel better. Good luck!

LaunchesKayaks,
@LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world avatar

My car is from 2015, so it isn’t super old. My mom just got a new car, so she may just be comparing hers to mine. I’m hoping my car isn’t going. Last time I drove it, it felt and sounded fine.

I am on Vicodin every 6 hours, but it only takes the edge off the pain. I take baby aspirin at night, but that’s to prevent blood clots. My mom has some muscle relaxers that help a bit when my muscles start to spasm.

I’ve been trying to coordinate with friends to hang out on Discord, but they’re all busy until tomorrow. My surgery is tomorrow, so I probably won’t be up to talking then. They’ve been really responsive on our group chats, though, so it’s not like I’m not socializing lol

torknorggren,

Can’t hurt to have the docs prescribe some low dose benzoyl or other med for the anxiety. But the distraction suggestion is also good. Get some reading done.

TootSweet,

Spend some time meditating. Doesn’t matter what meditation practice you start with, really. (You may develop preferences later, but for right at the beginning, just try one. And if you’re overwhelmed with options, I’d recommend starting with a noting practice. Just watch what arises in your awareness without judging, holding onto it, or pushing it away. “Itch”, “thought”, “emotion”, “breathing”, “mental image”, etc. If multiple things are in your awareness, just pick one. Set a timer when you start and do the meditation practice until it goes off. Start with 10 minute sessions. (If that’s too much, try 5 minutes.) Also, it can be done in any relatively comfortable bodily position.

Elliott,

Read current articles about climate change.

LaunchesKayaks,
@LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world avatar

I mean, replacing anxiety with existential dread is an option

LemmyBe,

Ask yourself some questions about the situation, and give yourself honest answers.

  • Can I do anything about it right now?
  • Might I be able to do something about it when I’m better?
  • Could I spend some time thinking of potential temporary solutions while I wait, instead of spending that time worrying?
  • Is it happening now, or do I have time to come up with something?
  • If I think I can’t do anything about it, does worrying help the situation or make it worse?

These are sample questions. Ask yourself about specific concerns that worry you. Sometimes, the responses will require follow-up questions. Point is to end pointless worrying and start looking at the problem logically and realistically, without the emotion clouding your thinking.

LaunchesKayaks,
@LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world avatar

That’s a really good idea. I’ll do that.

j4k3,
@j4k3@lemmy.world avatar

Only worry about what you can change right now in this moment. Everything else is irrelevant. Take on your challenges one at a time and communicate as much as possible with everyone around you. Most people you encounter want to help you if you just have the courage to ask for help.

I was hit by 2 cars riding to work on a bicycle 2/26/14. In a nutshell, I had a broken neck and back. This is the best advice I can give.

Your car is probably low on oil, just needs new spark plugs, or the battery needs replacing. You need a good shade tree mechanic that is honest or a friend that is into cars or was. If you know anyone that worked on their own project car and did motor stuff on their own, that is the person to talk to first. I was that kind of person. I can tell what is wrong with a car just by hearing it, or at most, driving a short distance. There are lots of people like me that want to help you too.

y0din,

one way that works for some is to trick your mind by schedule your worrying to a time and date in the future and tell yourself you will handle it then. this gives you a “solution” for your mind to stop worrying about it now, as you have a plan to do it later…

worked for me quite a few times actually…

good luck, and hope you get it sorted eventually either way.

LaunchesKayaks,
@LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world avatar

Thank you! I’ll try to schedule worrying for a later date and time and see if that helps. I’m a procrastinator, so I can just keep rescheduling the worrying forever lmao

nodsocket,

How did you break your ankle?

LaunchesKayaks,
@LaunchesKayaks@lemmy.world avatar

My puppy pulled on her leash outside and it made me walk a bit too fast and I twisted my ankle very badly.

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