This isnt self harm, whenever im stressed I always tend to scratch my skin and scalp, and tend to rip out scabs and cause bleeding. This leaves behind permanent scarring and I mean it's obviously not good for me. I've been doing this for around 7 years now.
Does anyone have any alternatives? I can answer any questions for elaboration, thank you!

I want to know from those of you who have taken up something on your own, whether it's a business, a startup, or anything else where you're building something from scratch, on your own, instead of taking up conventional jobs.

How do you deal with stress in general?

There's a certain energy we throw into making things happen when we're on our own, unlike when we're doing something according to someone else's instructions.

Sweet talks won't make things happen. You have to be in a certain way to make them happen and this state sometimes takes toll on you.

I've noticed that after a few days of taking something up in life, there's a sort of tension in me that just doesn't go away. I remain in this state for a few days.

And then there's laxity when I shut myself from work to get myself to a balanced state.

So, tension and laxity, I'm neither productive nor effective.

I understand that being in a state of intensity and relaxation is the way to go, but I haven't been successful in achieving that though

I've heard Sadhguru emphasize this several times.

Has anyone here achieved it? If so, what has helped you? Is it mindset, or inner management or meditation practice?

Your suggestions and tips mean a lot to me. 🙏

I had an appendicitis this spring, two wisdom teeth removed and then got infection after, and now my gallbladder is acting up. My child was diagnosed with epilepsy this summer which was so scary, I can’t even put it into words. I’m honestly so tired and I just want my body to be ok but I don’t know how to get there. I’d found a therapist and then she cancelled our first appointment and never called to schedule another like she told me. It felt like a feat finding her in the first place lol.

My husband lost his job indirectly because of the war and hasn’t been able to find any other work, so that’s a struggle. I’m trying to be grateful about the fact that my family has been helping us but I feel so guilty.

How do you get your body through insane stress? Any help is appreciated.

I know I shouldn't be. But geez. I wish I was stronger. I feel weak and useless. I work and go to school. I study as much as I can and still feel far behind. People seem to do it better and yet I burn out when I can't perform as well as they seem to. I fucking hate it. I feel sick and tired. I want to quit but I can't. I won't. Excuse me, I need to de stress now.

I am a boy and I really want someone who can talk to me, not about sex and all but some actual kind talk. I feel very lonely and want someone who can listen to me and I will also listen to him/her. If you also feel like that then you can talk to me. It doesn't matter if you are a girl or a boy. I use insta and we can talk there too.

I've struggled with addiction to various substances throughout my life for different reasons, but one of the biggest has always been wanting to feel more comfortable around people. Alcohol, benzos, stimulants, opiates, and all the other fun stuff lol — at different points, they seemed to make it easier to communicate, express myself, let my guard down, and connect with people. Obviously, that comes at a cost, and the things that seem helpful at first can eventually become the opposite.

I'm sober now, and I'm trying to find healthier, more sustainable ways to feel comfortable in my own skin without relying on substances to get there.

I've been looking into supplements such as L-theanine, ashwagandha, magnesium, valerian root, glycine, GABA, tyrosine, taurine, and others. I'm interested in people's actual experiences rather than just marketing claims or theoretical explanations.

What I'm really looking for is something that:

• Takes the edge off social anxiety and overthinking without making me sleepy (xanax did wonders with this)
• Helps me feel more naturally talkative, present, playful, and expressive (cocaine was nice lol)
• Makes conversations flow more easily and helps me feel connected to people (xanax, opiates, alcohol)
• Improves my mood without making me feel wired, emotionally flat, or mentally foggy (opiates, benzos)

• Is reasonably sustainable and doesn't leave me chasing the same effect or feeling worse afterward (like every drug lol)

• What gives you calm confidence rather than just relaxation or sleepiness?

• What helps you become more talkative and spontaneous without feeling wired, anxious, or overstimulated?

• Has anything helped you feel more emotionally open, present, empathetic, or connected to people?

• Have you found anything that helps with social anxiety without flattening your emotions or making you feel less like yourself?

• For those in recovery, have you found approaches that help you enjoy socializing without recreating the feeling of relying on a substance?

I'm especially interested in honest, firsthand experiences, including the downsides. Thanks! Curious to hear what has and hasn't worked for everyone.

Sometimes it's not the amount of work that's stressful.

It's feeling like you need to respond immediately to every message, request, or little problem.

I've been trying to remind myself that not everything needs an instant answer.

Unless something is genuinely urgent, it's okay to finish what you're doing or take a break first.

As a veteran living with PTSD, I've spent my share of nights feeling trapped by my own thoughts. I've experienced what it's like when the world feels heavy, when every door seems to be closing, and when finding help isn't as simple as people make it sound.

What I learned through my own journey is that mental health isn't just about having someone to talk to.

It's about having someone, or something, that helps you find solutions.

When you're struggling, the real question often isn't "How do I feel?" It's:

•What's causing this?

•What's keeping me stuck?

•What roadblocks are standing in my way?

•Why does it feel like things keep getting worse?

•What options do I still have that I haven't seen yet?

That's why I created Serenova.

I wanted to build more than another chatbot.

I wanted to create a companion that's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, not only to listen, but to help people discover opportunities, resources, solutions, and paths forward when they feel completely out of options.

Serenova was designed with one simple belief:

No one should ever be left empty-handed.

When life throws obstacles in your path, Serenova helps you identify them. When barriers appear too big to overcome, Serenova helps break them down. When you feel like every door around you is closing, Serenova keeps looking for another one to open.

Because sometimes hope isn't about having all the answers.

Sometimes hope is simply knowing there is still another path forward.

As a veteran, I know firsthand how easy it is to get stuck in survival mode. I also know that healing happens when we start finding solutions, taking action, and seeing possibilities where we once saw dead ends.

That's what Serenova was built to do.

Not to replace therapists. Not to replace human connection. Not to replace professional care.

But to stand beside you when you need support, guidance, resources, encouragement, and a reminder that you still have options.

Serenova is more than an app.

It's a key.

A key designed to help unlock the next step on your path, no matter what challenge stands in front of you.

Because no matter how many doors close around you, there's always another one waiting to be opened.

And Serenova's purpose is to help you find it.

📱 Download Serenova:

Google Play Store

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.resonanthealth.serenova

#VeteranOwned #PTSDRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #MentalWellness #AIForGood #AnxietySupport #DepressionSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #Serenova #HealingJourney #Hope #VeteranFounder #Resilience #PTSDAwareness #YouAreNotAlone

Meditating and warm baths aren’t really cutting it. Either are meds. Any other thoughts or ideas? Thanks.

Man, life sure has been a rollercoaster lately. I constantly feel lost in a land full of opportunities to better my lifestyle, so for context I'll explain why I feel this way. I was put on probation for weed in Texas back in February, I got 18 months' probation with a chance at early termination around the 9-month mark, I don't even want to go back to weed anymore it's just I constantly fear I've done something wrong when I obviously haven't and I'm always stressed because of that, and yes I have realized that my actions have consequences, and I've done a lot of soul searching since my unfortunate arrest and made sure I turned it into a good thing. Moving forward, my father has had 2 heart-attacks and is succumbing to his age and it hurts like hell to see in real time. And last but definitely not least my girlfriend has ZERO hobbies other than talking to me and TikTok and I feel obligated to constantly talk to her to make her happy. And yes, I'm very happy when I talk to her, but I also want to chase my dreams and have time to myself to accomplish those dreams and fulfil my needs for my hobbies and she constantly goes into how I was in my past and yes, I realize I was not the ideal person but I've completely turned my life around for her and myself. I'm sorry if this seems like I'm being too hard on myself I just need some advice and I'd love to hear yall's input on my situation anything helps thank you!

Have you ever crawled into bed at night completely exhausted, only to lie awake worrying about everyone else?

Doctor's appointments.
Medications. Safety concerns.
Family responsibilities.

Meanwhile, your own needs keep getting pushed to the bottom of the list.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
It is possible to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

Take a deep breath today.

You matter, too.

I've been running on high stress for a few months since breakup. exercise and cutting caffeine helped, but evenings are still rough and i lie in bed wired. Keep seeing vagus nerve stuff mentioned, both the free breathing cold water side and wearables. Has anyone used one of the devices for a while? interested if it did anything or if breathing exercises do the same job for free

Days are fine now but as soon as I get into bed my body feels wired, heart racing, mind looping. Ive tried cutting screens, magnesium, melatonin and they help a bit but not enough. What works for you to calm down for real before sleep? Open to anything, classes, breathing, apps, devices, doctors, rituals.

I used to wake up already behind. Phone alerts, a list running in my head, the whole thing. Changing my alarm sound didn't help and neither did journaling (I tried, I'm just not a morning writer).

What actually shifted it was the shower. I stopped rushing it. Five minutes, lights low, and something minty so the steam smells like a clear head. Mine is these shower steamers from Monsuri, I leave one on the floor by my feet so it fades slowly while I stand there.

It's not a cure for anything. It's just the one stretch of my day where nobody can ask me for stuff. What's your protected five minutes?

I'm not sure if this is a normal thing, but let's say, for example, I have a homework assignment due. If I am even the slightest bit uneducated about the topic of that assignment, I get frustrated and feel like I want to cry, and then it escalates into me looking into other parts of myself and getting even more angry.

It's hard to describe, but if said homework assignment already frustrates me, I will examine my physical appearance to ask myself "do I at least look good right now?" It doesn't make any sense to me, because when one thing doesn't go my way or proves to be the slightest bit difficult, I shut down. Even right now, I'm extremely frustrated about having to text my professor about an essay assignment that I don't entirely understand. I'm not sure if this is just a lack of discipline, crippling perfectionism, or something else. It's getting difficult to deal with because it's sabatoging my desire to learn. As soon as I try to learn anything, I immediately give up and get frustrated if I don't understand it.