What are some effective strategies for distracting a brain consumed with anxious thoughts?

Hi Nunny. There are so many ways that you can deal with anxiety. I think of it like having a toolbox right beside me and filling it with effective strategies that work for me that I can pull out anytime I feel I need to. So let's start to fill up that toolbox.

I usually advise people with anxiety to first try relaxation techniques or mindfulness techniques. Breathing exercises people find helpful and there are a number of them that you can Google. Your nervous system is heightened and you need to relax it. Breathing is only one exercise that can help to start to relax it. Mindfulness techniques are good because they help keep you in the moment, the here and now.

It is understandable that you would worry about being around for your children. You just had a baby and your awareness of your children's needs are heightened and their need for their mother to be around for a long while.

Another big thing that helps anxious people is to learn to control what they can control. It might be simply that you can stick to your newborns schedule for the day or get a couple chores done around the house. You can only control what you can control related to your life longevity. So that being said- eat well, get enough sleep, go to the doctor regularly, exercise, etc. You are controlling what you can control and distracting yourself at the same time.

Journaling is another effective way to distract yourself. You can journal milestones of your newborn daily explaining how she was able to accomplish the milestone and how you reacted. Since you have two children you could also start something small for them that they will appreciate when they get older. Something from you to them. You could write weekly letters to them about how they are growing and what you see in them and how you feel. You could take pictures of them throughout the year and make memory books. The list is endless but it creates a distraction but also something beautiful for your children in the event you were not around. Remember control what you can control.

There are so many other things that can be done. Many other techniques, exercises to change the way you think. If the thoughts get to the point that they are really effecting your daily functioning and becoming intrusive than you may want to see a psychiatrist to consider medication. Another tool for your toolbox. These are just a few things for your toolbox. 

I hope I was able to help. Take care Nunny.