Once in a while I have an evening when I'm just freaked out, no other way to describe it. And for no good reason. I have to really manage the situation, or I end up having nightmares in between lying awake hearing noises and thinking desperate thoughts.

Bob was watching something on TV that was upsetting me (something that normally wouldn't) so I went in the other room and read until it was over.

I switched the channel to something "gentle"--the Gaithers right now, then maybe the Home & Garden channel. I'll be leaving a low wattage light on in the corner, and probably put the TV on light classical music, low volume.

Then I'll go through one (or more) of my prayer lists until I fall asleep. I have more little tricks for unfreaking myself, but I think those will do for tonight. *sigh*

I know exactly what you are saying. The news playing in the background is like that constant "the sky is falling! the sky is falling" and then it is like so many other things pump up your adreniline and then before you know it, you are edgy, tense, and geared up! I told my DH somedays I simply cant stand anything more than the food network. no stress today please!

Though I can't say that Guy Fieri has a calming effect on me.

No, not the food network.

I read the headlines every morning on the Yahoo news page and if there is something that draws my attention, I go to CNN or the Today show.

When something like Haiti happens, it upsets me a lot. My heart beats faster and my tummy churns.

My downfall for nightmares, is, that I lurve scary movies.

wish I had something more constructive to say,
but let me offer this:

Close your eyes.

Take a deep breath.

Muster all your courage.

Then count all your blessings and pray.

I know what you mean, B2Y. And especially with me being alone many nights you know I hear every last little noise. Usually it's the weekends when I tend to "freak".....waiting for DS to get home or to call to let me know he's staying elsewhere. I really don't sleep that well anymore. More like my life is a series of naps. Never more than 4 hours at a stretch.

I think I'm going to put myself on a self-imposed news ban. Especially right now when it seems nothing good is happening. It's upsetting and there's nothing I can do about it.....but pray. Which I do.

I try not to watch anything "heavy" before bed but you know how that can go. Just when you think you're in the clear a commercial for a thriller movie or something comes on and there you are.....

Well, I for one, think you have Every good reason to freak out. Sometimes it is just VERY hard to stay calm and relaxed and it just doesn't take much to throw us off. Whether it be something on TV or something someone says in the house.

I hope you were able to get relaxed and get some sleep. Prayer is always good. Sometimes it's just hard to wind down though.
Love you, friend!

Thanks, friends!

I never know if it's "news overload", something I'm subconsciously worried about, an MS "false anxiety" type thing, or a combination of those or others, but sometimes you just know you're gonna wake up screaming.

I managed it quite well last night, I'm glad to say, ending up with a lot of weird dreams and not exactly the most restful sleep ever, but no heart-stopping nightmares! And I fell asleep before I even got through the D's on my first prayer list (sorry, everybody below Dejibo....)

I wonder if MSers are more prone to anxiety...
I have to think prayers of gratitude before sleep...to try to put the mind in a positive frame..
but occasionally I will awaken during the night, and the negative fearful stuff starts churning through my mind and then it's 3 hours of hearts on the computer...

B2Y, no words of wisdom, just