Oddbean new post about login | logout Does anyone else ever feel fear, like something bad is about happen—impending doom, but you can't put your finger on what you're afraid of, or where it's all coming from? I feel like that from time to time. I felt like that all day today. I'd feel better if I could identify what the hell is causing it, but I just have to push through it. Hopefully, everything will be back to normal tomorrow.
U ever look into the negative effects of blue & screens? i need to greet the sun & natural uv to get my fix. barefoot in the natural world! allthebest SLCW
I do have a vitamin D deficiency, and take supplements to raise my levels. Perhaps I need more, especially now that winter is coming. I also cope with seasonal affective disorder which makes me more prone to depression in the winter months. Maybe what I'm feeling is a byproduct of that.
Would you describe the quality of your sleep lately as “below average”? Are you on Twitter? Answering Yes to both of these questions would probably explain it. “From time to time” As in, once a month, once a year, or every few years, or once in a decade? If once a month, depending on the severity (and what you’re describing does sound intense), you may consider talking to a professional. Inexplicable “impending doom” that you feel “all day” is not typical. A qualified therapist could help to identify the source of this feeling, or if there’s a pattern that triggers it. If you keep a journal, that can help, too. Take care.
Hope you’re doing better today.
I am. I'm feeling pretty good. It's funny how the tides can shift. One day I'm consumed by anxiety and despair, and the next day everything is fine and I'm feeling pretty good. Fortunately, these downturns are infrequent. Thanks for asking!
Extraordinary swings in mood sometimes come out of nowhere. Or it could have been the election! Either way, it demonstrates how we are moved by factors beyond our control, e.g. internal factors like thoughts/memories we do not choose and external factors like political/societal changes. We like to believe ourselves to be captains of our own ships, but we’re really just along for the ride. Anyway, happy to hear that storm passed for you.
Impending doom not so much, but general anxiety yes. Japanese Zen is a great tool that helps me. Just have to go with the flow and remember that most thoughts we have are not "our own" 🙂
I often find when I feel that way it will pass. Taking actions in my day to day life to improve and deal with life's challenges. Journaling, exercise, sleep, meditation, philosophy, etc. May "something bad" happen, yes. But often times it is worse in my head and I come out better on the other side.