So, I was just wondering if anyone had any advice/thoughts about what has been going through my head lately.... so here it goes: I am all about routines. I don't touch things repeatedly or stuff like that, but I have routines that I do in order to keep my anxiety a little more in control. and if I don't do them I get really bothered. So, my therapist says that as long as it is a healthy routine it is ok to do... so i have ones like my sleep routine, bathroom routine, etc. which makes going to sleep and the preparation to do so easier. since my body is like used to doing these things now, it is like i am conditioned to relax after the routines. I am wondering if I can start conditioning my body to relax with other things and if that would be unhealthy or worsen my condition. By conditioning my body to relax i mean-- for example-- the smell and tingling sensation of vicks vaporub is calming for me.... im wondering if it would help to like have a vicks humidifier by my bed, and use it every night, even if i am panicing and try to make myself go to sleep. i think after time my body would realize that the smell of vicks means relax and go to sleep.... seems like a good idea, but it would start another ritual. So i guess im not sure if i should start doing that or not. i have several other ideas like this that i could try to start doing to cope with different things, but again- i don't know if i should start them.. Anyone have any input?
thanks for listening! - Jess
im new to this and not sure if i am just supposed to go back and keep checking my posts to see if people respond or if it will tell me on my home page, or if there is another way to post that i should be doing for this sort of thing. so you can send me an actual message if you want. especially if you have any advice!