The Therapy Hangover

I have been in therapy for two years now and have come up with a few things to help me through the experience.

When I began I was always exhausted afterwards (even though most of the time it wasn't a distressing session), so I did some research on what might be the issue and discovered the term "therapy hangover". 

I had already made the decision right at the beginning that I should only do therapy on Fridays and after work, so that I would have the weekend to recover.  

That was okay for the first year or so, but eventually I just didn't stop being exhausted.

So now here I am, the only time that I do go out now is to see my therapist...once a month.

Quite the reversal of how things used to be.

Still, I plan ahead, free up the actual day and make sure I have things in place for when I get home again.

 I spend a lot of energy just getting there and back (forty minute drive each way), and I have talked for sixty minutes about myself.  So by the time I get home my introverted self is just exhausted, mentally and physically.  What I understand about myself is that when I am at my most tired I am also at my most anxious and I can't control my startle reflex.  Noise is not really welcome at the best of times, but when I am like that, it is awful, and I desperately need silence and solitude.  

I can't always get that, so I have a backup or two.   

FLARE earplugs will help a little .  I have a set for home and one for when I go out.  It does help to filter out the extra stimuli.   During the winter months, my weighted blanket is also really great.  I love curling up and napping under that.

I've mentioned before the importance of good quality leftovers, so for tomorrow I have prepared a big pot of mild vegetable curry and some basmati rice.   

My favourite comfy clothes are clean and ready for me and I have bookmarked some somatic exercise videos on YouTube that I would like to try.  

The basic three are covered... rest, exercise and nutrition.

Good job Me.