Omega Nesting - Tumblr Posts
A method for relaxing when riddled with constant but low grade anxiety
So I don’t really have much of a reference for what it’s like with other people, but I have essentially constant anxiety. It rarely ever devolves into a full on attack but it does leave me with lots of stress and a sort of autopilot mode, I guess you could call it, which lets me still function and get things done without just silently Blue-screening every other half hour over which thing I need or should do first and how much of a failure I am for not getting things done sooner.
But that’s not the point of this post, the point is that I discovered a new little coping mechanism for myself that makes it sooo much easier to fall asleep at night and be able to unwind.
The basic idea of what helps me, is that I treat myself as if I’m an omega in heat. NOW, before you assume, no—this is not anything sexual. I dislike most A/B/O things, but what I do like is how omega heats are treated in the non-smutty fics that are just fluff and comfort. If you’re a regular peruser of the archive or other fanfic sites, then you likely know where I’m going with this.
Soft blankets, a clean bed, and a secure room. I’ve pieced together for myself that each of these things does wonders for my state of mind at night. Cleaning the dirt and little specks of stuff off and out of my sheets let’s me feel like I’ve done something at least a little productive, and reels my subconscious back from its panic over not having done enough for the day and wasting time.
Having soft blankets, a nest of sorts if you will, is not only comfortable and relaxing in of itself, but also makes me feel secure and a bit cut off from the world. A comfort item to hold, clutch like a lifeline, or to just have near during sleep eases my anxiety too, so if you haven’t tried it then it wouldn’t hurt anything to pick one out.
Bedding down for the night in a locked room, or at least a room with a fully closing door is also immensely important for that sense of security and safety. It settles something in the back of my brain that tries to keep me alert and unconsciously ready to defend myself. I assume at least that bit would apply to most people, as I know that it’s makes sleeping easier for everyone if they feel safe. So, all this boils down to really is that if you’re like me and have lots of anxiety keeping you up, start with what makes you feel safe. I know it sounds obvious and like duh, of course feeling safe would lessen anxiety, but just. Take an inventory of sorts. Is your bed comfortable? Is the place you’re sleeping at night defendable? If you have them, are all your windows and doors locked? Common sense stuff that you might have grown used to, but are actually giving your hindbrain little alertness flags.