Your Low-Stress Guide to Leveling-Up Your Bedtime Routine
Are You Burnt Out or Depressed?
He laughs at her American stubbornness, revealing a sexy smile that instantly softens her skeptical attitude.
They drive up the winding country road to a remote villa, the car careening around every turn.
They sip local Chianti, laugh over witty banter, and gaze out at the cyprus trees.
Finally, as the warm sun sets behind the Tuscan hills, they kiss.
But we love it every time.
therapist and founder of Sound Psychotherapy
Ive struggled withdepressionandanxietymy whole lifeIve tried therapy, antidepressants, self-help books, you name it.
I believed this might be the antidote to years of life malaise, a San Marzano-infused serotonin injection.
I now understand this was a foolish thought, clouded by years of romantic movies and novels.
Italy has been idealized for decades.
Thats the defense mechanism of idealization… Its definitely going to happen to me!
Well, my internal alarm system is on Code Red a majority of the time.
Even before boarding the plane, I was nervous about making the move to Italy.
These exact types of situations, objectively normal and manageable, to mea historically anxious individualare triggering.
Anxiety prepares you for worst-case scenarios.
therapist and founder of Sound Psychotherapy
And upon arrival, I did experience a temporary reprieve.
My brain was running on overdrive, processing all these new stimuli and absorbing my new surroundings.
There was a rush to see as much as possible, like an Italian scavenger hunt.
Expats are assumed to be living a fun and adventurous lifestyle, creating envy for everyone they left behind.
For me, I constantly heard, Youre living the dream or Im so jealous.
I wish I had your life.
But, did I feel the same way?
I was no stranger to restless nights, my head spinning with anxious thoughts and irrational worries.
But a new one was taking up most of the bandwidth: guilt.
Im lucky to be living in Italy.
How could I possibly feel sad?
When you cant talk about something, youre stuck in isolation, she explains.
As I told my experience to Pretak, she shared three coping mechanisms:
1.
Acknowledge your emotions:Identify and feel what youre experiencing.
That helps to increase the tolerance with uncomfortable feelings.
Be social:Connection is the most important thing we can do as people to decrease isolation.
Breathe:Thats one thing that regulates your internal alarm system.
And if you’re able to regulate physically, then mentally and emotionally, that follows.
I want to be clearIm not unhappy all the time.
Yet I need to actively remind myself of all the beautiful moments weve experienced so far.
Sometimes I forget, and get stuck in that hole of guilt and sadness.
Ive learned that tiramisu will not cure depression, no matter how much you eat.
Depression is something you take with you when you travel.
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