Anxiety is not a rational process. That nervous feeling you get before public speaking or cold approaching -- the pit in your stomach, the clammy hands -- it isn't logical. When your body thinks it is in a stressful situation, it will react as if you are being chased by bears, even if you are in Central Park and the closest bear is in the Bronx Zoo.
I suffered from such "physical anxiety" for as long as I can remember. I was never really a nervous person: I don't hesitate before talking to women and I am a good public speaker. Yet, despite a tremendous amount of time intentionally exposing myself to discomfort, I was still getting shaky hands. I was still feeling cold in my extremities.
My immediate problem? Drugs. I regularly used drugs like caffeine, modafinil and phenibut. But that was only masking the real issue.
I recently got tired of it and quit everything cold turkey, and the results were astounding. It sucked at first, since I was used to getting away with short circuiting physiological systems like not sleeping enough.
But now I don't shake, and I shouldn't be surprised, really, since we already know that we aren't better than biology. It's hard to eat right, and to sleep enough, so I refused to actively think about the way I was physically abusing my body by "cheating". I thought I could use my big brain to think my way out of not taking care of the physical, kind of like all the newbs think they can logic their way into some pussy without doing the work. (Because I have your attention and I like linking stuff, read this too. And this, because TRP has a reputation to maintain.)
But the truth is that it's not realistic to expect to succeed by just going to the gym, squatting 5 sets of 5, and calling it a day. You need to sleep. You need to eat well to give your body the nutrients it needs. You need to drink water. You sexual contact with women. I don't care what Jesus (or, in my case, a guy with a hat and beard) tells you.
It doesn't matter how much you practice stoicism. It doesn't matter how much you meditate. It doesn't matter how much philosophy you read. You cannot think your way to physiological health.
Take care of the physical; everything else will follow. And don't just take my word for it.
Menchstick 6y ago
Or maybe actually go to a psychiatrists before you shoot your brains off. Rome wasn't built on tough love and 5*5 deadlifts alone.
inbredostrptw 6y ago
Late to this post, but this is absolutely correct. I’ve noticed that the times I’ve been on my best game we’re when I’m eating well, hitting the gym hard, drug free, sleeping well, etc.
I still have some problems with the drug free and sleep but I’m getting there and I know it’s entirely in my control. Anyone who doesnt think this is true probably just doesn’t want to deal with the fact that they’re a pot head
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captainsaveahoe69 6y ago
Check your testosterone levels
Swimming-Syllabub 6y ago
So... Cut drugs, caffeine, sleep, eat well, drink water and get laid?
You forgot to mention what weird trick psychiatrist hate, or is it the above point?
Also I didn't click on it because of it having a click bait title but because I knew you were an senior endorsed contributor and senior endorsed contributors have a rep of delivering high quality content, but I guess the joke's on me.
RStonePT 6y ago
It sounds banal, but I guarantee 10% of people in here are actually doing it.
Dudes, especially young ones seem completely baffled by the idea that our habits affect our hormones affect our actions and capabilities, even when every month their girlfriend turns into a bitch for when aunt Flo visits.
FieldLine 6y ago
Yes. Even within this small comments section I have people who don't believe it, telling me that I am wrong. The answer is certainly not to spend a small fortune talking to therapists and taking down fistfuls of pill every morning.
More generally, the point is that there is no getting around biology. People think they can pull off not sleeping or eating right in lots of different ways, but all you can do is mask some of the symptoms while continuing to get bitten in the ass by the fundamental problem.
Admittedly that was a poor attempt at humor, what with the theme of the article being "you can't cheat biology". It's unfortunate that reddit doesn't allow for editing titles, because no one can seem to get past it.
Zech4riah 6y ago
Would be a lot better title. Maybe change it? People tend to get annoyed by these clickbait titles. It ruins the receptiveness for the actual content.
iwviw 6y ago
Drink, eat, sleep right and have sex and that clears anxiety?
Zenithh_ 6y ago
Yes, you'd be suprised. Honestly, have you ever met an anxious person who does all of the above consistently? Most likely not.
anonymous8972 6y ago
I do all of these things and have been for at least 8 years. I only drink alcohol occasionally (it's been about 6 months since my last drink) and I still have anxiety. My life is better because of this but I don't think it has had much of an effect on my anxiety at all.
StoicPsychopath 6y ago
You are right that it helps, but some people do have legitimate anxiety disorders due to brain chemistry malfunction. These poor souls follow perfect routines and still have extreme anxiety. And other people do everything right physically but have extremely high stress jobs, horrible wives/families, etc.
In my opinion, the physical stuff is necessary but not sufficient for dealing with both anxiety and depression. You may also need some anxiety meds if you have the brain chemistry issue or to re-evaluate your circumstances if your current life is causing it.
Zenithh_ 6y ago
I definitely understand what you're saying, but usually doing the right physical stuff can help to a point where its managable;it's just that they're unknowingly not doing the right thing. For example some people require vitamins and minerals in volumes that are way above the recommened daily amount. To get a better grasp of what I'm saying, read a book called "The Ultramind Solution". It is truely eye opening.
StoicPsychopath 6y ago
Definitely agree. I am a fan of "The Depression Cure" for the same reason. It advocates exercise, good sleep, diet corrections, social interaction, exposure to sunlight, and anti-rumination techniques to reduce the impact of depression. And I'd imagine those same techniques can help with anxiety.
My comment was to point out that there are other circumstances to consider as well. The physical care component is the 80-90% solution for most people though, assuming they don't have a terrible job or marriage.
TheH1dd3nFear 6y ago
Reads like clickbait on Facebook.
FieldLine 6y ago
Clickbait tickles the right parts of your brain to get you to click. There are loads of articles on the front page, yet this is the one you chose to read. It's just biology, baby.
See what I did there?
max_peenor 6y ago
Wastin' away again in Margaritaville Searchin' for my long lost shaker of salt Some people claim that there's a woman to blame But I know it's nobody's fault
This is probably my favorite post in the last six months.
FieldLine 6y ago
Eventually every guy who finds success with TRP realizes it’s his own damn fault. It's the most liberating idea to ever come out of this subreddit.
Good to hear from you, dude.
max_peenor 6y ago
Very good to see you post again.
The former I literally was prescribed by an army doctor when I was on a contract (for the lack of a better word) during the war. And then amodafinil which I think is the right hand form? Can't remember. Either way, it did everything the uppers I was given back in 1991 during the war but without the chronic jitters, dehydration and general weirdness.
I was prescribed phenibut as a decongestant and it worked great. Mind you, I got mick nose and sinus so just breathing through there is a challenge on a normal day. The funny part being the capsule looked almost identical to the rescue pill LCF got for migraines which is codeine, butalbital, and caffeine. Hers was slightly darker on one side. I accidentally took the wrong one once. That ended poorly.
Anyway, oversharing, but why the phenibut? My experience was strange, but it did that one job very well. Wondering what else is out there.
FieldLine 6y ago
Why did I take it? Because I love playing with my biochemistry, always looking for the next "hack". I can't help myself when given an opportunity to try something new. I wouldn't actively seek it out, but until recently I wouldn't have hesitated to smoke meth if the opportunity presented itself, if only to experience it.
My realization was that biology always wins. It's subtle, and we often forget in the moment, but when you're drunk you can't will yourself to be sober.
Phenibut became a personal favorite because it caused general feelings of well-being and relaxation, even when things were not physiologically okay. AKA cheating. Which is fine, in moderation, and I would still take a shot of bourbon before a high-pressure meeting, or modafinil on a performance-critical day after a poor night's sleep, or codeine after a major injury.
But ultimately these drugs are crutches and need to be recognized as such. Regular use indicates a more fundamental problem that needs to be addressed.
[deleted]
StarDoom21 6y ago
You blame phenibut?
How much from 1-10 were you addicted?
[deleted]
StarDoom21 6y ago
“Hey guys I took 2 grams, then I took another gram half an hour later
Seems I’m a non responder!”
ArnoldT1000 6y ago
You’re only gonna have anxiety if you’re a little bitch who puts other people above yourself. Scared of other people thinking the wrong thing.
Anxiety is a beta male feeling. It’s a fear of getting rejected. Alpha males don’t fear shit. They don’t give a fuck about rejection. They are leaders, are fine on their own, and do not need the approval of others.
Be your own estimation of yourself. Quit giving a fuck what people think.
FieldLine 6y ago
Did you actually read the article? Some of the negative feedback I've gotten is fair, but your response doesn't even make sense.
ArnoldT1000 6y ago
It does make sense. All that shit you mentioned in your post is putting a bandage over the real issue. You still deep down GAF what others think and that’s why you’re still having anxiety.
Yeah, you can try to remedy it with little fixes here and there, but anxiety is a pure case of 80/20. You’re gonna get real results if you address the real issue.
FieldLine 6y ago
I got real results. And then I shared what I actually did to get those results.
Can you do the same, instead of spouting unhelpful cliches like "be more alpha" and "just DGAF, bro"?
ArnoldT1000 6y ago
Have a mission, make that your priority instead of validation, and a DGAF mindset will come naturally.
FieldLine 6y ago
... so that’s a no. Gotcha.
bemore_ 6y ago
You mean Dumbledore right, you believe in professor Dumbledore
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mexbesa 6y ago
Phenibut is a lifesaver if you don't abuse it. I don't see a problem with it.
5ubstanc3 6y ago
I think this is all satire
you get my upvote sir
Proto_Sigma 6y ago
I think the title was satire and its content was genuine and legitimate
Of course, this sub doesn’t have a perfect track record of identifying satire
Project_Zero_Betas 6y ago
Can't upvote this enough
Proto_Sigma 6y ago
I love the point being made and think fundamentals of physical health are horribly neglected in general.
I will point out that sometimes anxiety can be channeled well. Anxious energy in high pressure situations can often be invigorating if you’re confident- giving a speech in front of a large group of people can be anxiety inducing, but depending on how confident and prepared you are that anxiety can either paralyze you or push you into a flow state. There’s actually a really extensive literature on how well rehearsed actions hold their quality or increase slightly in quality when the subject is put under pressure.
Snowboard18 6y ago
Exposure therapy. Proven to work for social anxiety I know, probably for other forms to.
EffigyDijjih 6y ago
Bullshit. Anxiety is a perfectly rational, and in fact necessary emotional response to a given situation. You subconsciously know how much is at stake in any given interaction, and your body will produce what it thinks is the right feeling to combat that.
If you're approaching a woman, your body knows that this is a situation where you're testing your chances to reproduce. Your body doesn't know you're not trying to impregnate every Stacy and Lisa at the club, it just knows it's in a scenario where the chances of you doing so is on the line and it acts accordingly.
If you're in a group environment, public speaking for example, your subconscious mind knows that this is an opportunity to either grow your social web, establish yourself in a hierarchy or completely bomb the interaction and lose all the connections and possible ventures/security/resources that could've been made had you not sperged out.
To your body and subconscious these situations are vastly more serious than what our cognitive thought typically allows. Thus, producing Aniexty. You show the signs of flight or fight, because of the fact small interactions can have massive effects on your life and genetic survival. It makes sense.
FieldLine 6y ago
Your argument is about semantics. I say "rational process" and "logical" in the sense that you can think it away.
EffigyDijjih 6y ago
In the context of your post you didn't express it that way, it seemed like you were villianizing a natural response. As if it's bad or somehow uncommon to feel that way.