Restlessness States: When the Body and Mind Can’t Settle Down

Inner tension, the feeling of being overwhelmed and the fear of not living up to anyone’s expectations rob us of the joy of the day.In addition, in hectic times we often lack the time to relax and draw strength for the daily demands. The causes of nervousness and restlessness vary, but the consequences are almost always the same. Body and mind lack the necessary rest. At the same time, inner peace is especially important when we are faced with new tasks, whether in the family, at work or among friends.

Nervousness and sleep disorders – a vicious circle

Nervousness and sleep disorders often go hand in hand. Due to the tension during the day, we also do not get to rest in the evening and do not find the restful sleep. Due to the resulting lack of sleep, the following day becomes a torment. A cycle sets in that we can only break with difficulty. In most cases, a few simple measures help to regain calm and inner balance. Nature also has a variety of medicinal plants that help us to go through the day more relaxed or to be able to switch off better in the evening.

What are causes of inner restlessness?

Almost everyone has experienced phases in the course of his life, in which he was difficult to cope with the daily demands due to nervousness or a tendency to overanxiety. The causes of inner imbalance can lie either in our environment or in ourselves. Causes due to the environment include:

  • Constant stress, whether in the family or at work.
  • The daily hustle and bustle due to deadline pressure and excessive workload
  • Excessive demands of our fellow human beings
  • Sensory overload
  • Stressful life situations

Causes that lie within ourselves include:

  • High demand on ourselves to do everything perfectly
  • Hypersensitivity to the criticism of others
  • Disappointments
  • Not being able to switch off
  • The tendency to quickly get upset about little things

Women suffer more often from agitation

Women struggle more often with inner restlessness, especially since you are often doubly burdened by family and career. But inner restlessness and nervousness are also promoted by hormonal fluctuations during menopause. Expectations of men can also be so great that inner peace and balance are lost.

What are the consequences of frequent restlessness?

Normally, every phase of tension should be followed by a phase of relaxation. This triggers reactions in the body that serve the purpose of recovery. These include quiet breathing, a lowered heart rate and reduced circulatory output. If this recovery does not take place over a longer period of time, this has consequences for our body. Our resistance to disease is weakened, and infectious agents can attack us more quickly. The long-term consequences are serious illnesses and physical impairments. Constant stress also attacks the psyche. Just like our body, the psyche needs time to recover. If this does not happen, depression can develop in the worst case, which must be treated by a doctor. Anxieties that last for a long time are not a case for self-diagnosis. They belong in the hands of an experienced physician. This person can assess whether the anxiety already has the character of an illness and select a suitable therapy that takes equal account of body and soul.

9 tips for more inner peace

To successfully address states of restlessness, it makes sense to look at your own life situation. Make a list of when tension is at its highest. Then consider how you can effectively address these situations. The following tips can help you do this.

  1. Ask those around you for help when you have an excessive workload, whether at work or in your personal life.
  2. Even if you are stuck with a task, do not be afraid to ask others for help. Hand over tasks to others sometimes.
  3. Try not to put yourself under pressure. Take the time to sort out your thoughts.
  4. Try to banish superfluous appointments from their daily lives.
  5. Make yourself a work schedule every day. Think about how long you need for each task and do not be too strict with yourself here.Plan especially also conscious phases of relaxation.
  6. Learn to think of yourself as well. Everyone needs periods of relaxation and must not always be available for everyone.
  7. Create a spatial distance from your surroundings, if the relaxation in the family or at work is difficult. A walk in the park, on the water or in the forest lets the thoughts come to rest.
  8. Learn to consciously close the day. To fall asleep better, you should have finished the day’s program about two hours before bedtime. Then take the time for your rest. Helpful are evening rituals.
  9. If it is difficult to switch off, you can learn specific relaxation techniques in courses (at the adult education center or some health insurance companies).

Help from the doctor or pharmacist

Who can not calm down due to inner turmoil, nervousness or permanent tension, drugs from the pharmacy can help. Serious mental disorders and organic diseases must be treated by a doctor. If you have been suffering from restlessness or anxiety for a long time, please clarify any illnesses with your family doctor.