[Mike_J]

For the last few weeks I have what feel like what people might describe as “butterflies in my stomach” but my butterflies seem to be on Meth. I don’t want to just drug them away, this is caused by a life situation that isn’t going away any time soon.

Looking for non-drug suggestions to help them go away.

Thanks

[DianaCW91]

This is a tough one.. I find it hard to concentrate on anything when I am feeling anxious. But I get the feeling that the use of "butterflies" means you are not at the anxiety stage. So some of the things I like to do are:

meditation
listen to my favorite songs
go on long walks in the woods
Paint
write
read

My T also gave me a cd of relaxation methods. One I found really helpful (sorry I forget the name) but when you tighten your muscles and relax them - starting at your feet and working your way up to your head until your whole body is relaxed. It's to teach your mind and body how to work together to relax and after a few times doing it all you have to do it think about your muscles relaxing and they do (without you having to tighten them first).

I guess the trick is to find things you like, but that requires concentration so that you are focusing on what you are doing rather than on what is giving you the butterflies.

((((Mike)))) Deep breathing exercises help me. I get those "butterflies on meth", as well. Ugh.

My T and showed me deep breathing/relaxation exercises. We default to it especially when I am starting to have an A/P.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose. Try to breathe all the air in so you can feel it all the way deep down to your belly. Hold it a sec and then exhale as much as you can (I imagine exhaling all of the butterflies or toxins or negative thoughts).

I also do one where I breathe in (and tell myself it's) love, happiness, peace, joy, serenity, etc - hold it - and then breathe out the same. And breathe in, breathe out.

Other than that, I got nothin'

I hope this helps even just a little.
(Please do not hyperventilate )