What Do You Do When You Have Nervous Energy?
By CatsandDogs
@CatsandDogs (13963)
United States
July 25, 2010 11:24pm CST
Seriously, what do you do to get rid of nervous energy? As for myself, it depends. I usually end up cleaning my house or go off somewhere and cry. Today I had so much of it that I cleaned my house up a bit which needed it but still, I hate it when I have that kind of energy. I'd much rather clean in a relaxed mode than nervousness. Nerves make me not so nice to be around and then I hate myself for being that way. It's a no win situation for me.... well maybe one.... my house gets cleaned up some or everything gets done! 
Now I'd like to say something about my last discussion. I want to thank you all from the top to the bottom of my heart for all of your responses! To those who were kind and supportive and so on, and you know who you are!, thank you so much for making me feel welcomed in your email box! Thank you for your love and support regardless of what my discussions are about or how sad, mad or happy they may be. I'm real. I'm not a fake. This is me, the real me. What I tell you is real or I wouldn't be telling it. I'm a quiet person, shy however, I'm out and in your face when made mad or hurt. I don't like being that person but will be if made to be. But really and truly, I'm a quiet and shy person because I don't like to draw attention to myself AND because I have a terrible time hearing others especially when they talk so darned quiet or turned away from me that I can't read their lips or facial expressions. Anyway, if I could change things for the better, I WOULD IN A DAMNED HEART BEAT!! I hate drama. I most certainly can live without it however, I hope to end it once and for all with my parents because I plan on having the 'talk' with them and soon. I know it HAS to be done so I'm going to do it in the next month or so when I feel the time is right. I'm caught in the middle where both parties are wrong in one way or another and I'm HOPING to fix it once and for all or die trying. 
Ok, shut up....enough already, eh? I gotcha! I gotcha!! (no more than three emoticons....) Oh rats! :P LOL
So what do you do with your nervous energy?
Now I'd like to say something about my last discussion. I want to thank you all from the top to the bottom of my heart for all of your responses! To those who were kind and supportive and so on, and you know who you are!, thank you so much for making me feel welcomed in your email box! Thank you for your love and support regardless of what my discussions are about or how sad, mad or happy they may be. I'm real. I'm not a fake. This is me, the real me. What I tell you is real or I wouldn't be telling it. I'm a quiet person, shy however, I'm out and in your face when made mad or hurt. I don't like being that person but will be if made to be. But really and truly, I'm a quiet and shy person because I don't like to draw attention to myself AND because I have a terrible time hearing others especially when they talk so darned quiet or turned away from me that I can't read their lips or facial expressions. Anyway, if I could change things for the better, I WOULD IN A DAMNED HEART BEAT!! I hate drama. I most certainly can live without it however, I hope to end it once and for all with my parents because I plan on having the 'talk' with them and soon. I know it HAS to be done so I'm going to do it in the next month or so when I feel the time is right. I'm caught in the middle where both parties are wrong in one way or another and I'm HOPING to fix it once and for all or die trying.
Ok, shut up....enough already, eh? I gotcha! I gotcha!! (no more than three emoticons....) Oh rats! :P LOL
So what do you do with your nervous energy?6 people like this
18 responses
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
26 Jul 10
What do I do when I feel nervous? GO SHOPPING!!! 
Nah, my first choice is to go work in the garden. That takes a lot of energy and I'm soon feeling so much calmer.
Second choice is to clean the house. It's amazing how something negative like nervous energy can produce such terrific results. My house literally shines sometimes!
Of course, shopping is not out of the question. Even if I have no money to blow on things I don't really need, I like to go out and look at things, get ideas for crafts and generally get inspired to start a new craft project. Working on my crafts always helps me to have peace of mind.
That's one thing I know you could use, some "me" time. If you can, you should set aside a little time each day just for yourself. Do something you truly enjoy doing to help get your mind off reality for a little while. Your cross stitching is absolutely BEAUTIFUL so maybe you could work on that a little each day when you have excess nervous energy. I'm talking about doing this a little every day, even if you don't feel like it. Forcing yourself to do something you really enjoy could possibly turn that nervous energy into something great. Worth a try, huh?
I hope you have a TERRIFIC day today, Cats! 
Nah, my first choice is to go work in the garden. That takes a lot of energy and I'm soon feeling so much calmer.
Second choice is to clean the house. It's amazing how something negative like nervous energy can produce such terrific results. My house literally shines sometimes!
Of course, shopping is not out of the question. Even if I have no money to blow on things I don't really need, I like to go out and look at things, get ideas for crafts and generally get inspired to start a new craft project. Working on my crafts always helps me to have peace of mind.
That's one thing I know you could use, some "me" time. If you can, you should set aside a little time each day just for yourself. Do something you truly enjoy doing to help get your mind off reality for a little while. Your cross stitching is absolutely BEAUTIFUL so maybe you could work on that a little each day when you have excess nervous energy. I'm talking about doing this a little every day, even if you don't feel like it. Forcing yourself to do something you really enjoy could possibly turn that nervous energy into something great. Worth a try, huh?
I hope you have a TERRIFIC day today, Cats! 2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
Hey there Marti! Shopping? I'd rather take a beating than do that!! I HATE to shop! I'm all female but I hate to shop with a passion. I'd much rather clean my house or work in my flower garden, something that produces results in some good way. I can't do crafts with nervous energy because I'm too spastic to sit long enough to put anything together. It would end up across the room! 
lol
I think hubby and I are going camping this weekend so we'll FINALLY get some 'us' time in. I can't wait! Finally some peace and quiet.... that is if nobody calls us on our cell phones....
Shopping? I'd rather take a beating than do that!! I HATE to shop! I'm all female but I hate to shop with a passion. I'd much rather clean my house or work in my flower garden, something that produces results in some good way. I can't do crafts with nervous energy because I'm too spastic to sit long enough to put anything together. It would end up across the room! lol
I think hubby and I are going camping this weekend so we'll FINALLY get some 'us' time in. I can't wait! Finally some peace and quiet.... that is if nobody calls us on our cell phones....1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
2 Aug 10
Well, it looks like we're NOT going camping this weekend after all because hubby finally got his truck sold.... or so we think. We'll know for sure tomorrow afternoon. I'll be SO happy when that truck is gone once and for all because it belonged to hubby's mother and step dad and it brings too many memories to him and uncomfortable memories for me so the sooner it's sold and out of our hair, the better! LOL But we're getting another truck, something a bit bigger in engine so it'll pull our camper easier than this truck can.
I hear ya Annie! LOL I have to keep my cell phone on in case of an emergency being that I'm the only family my parents have and they're both not well. Oh wishful thinking though.... *sigh
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
31 Jul 10
My very reason for camping or fishing is to leave the cell phone turned off. At least until we get back to our vehicle, anyway. It is the peace and quiet and nobody bothering us that is soooo desireable.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I do know what you're talking about, it's what my niece calls 'shutting down' but on a temporarily basis. I do that too when things get really bad but I also tremble inside.... if that makes any sense. My mind gets so scrambled that I can't think clearly but yet, I'll sit there like a zombie like, like I'm not listening but I am. But when made mad, whew! I can snap right out of it in a hurry. lol I have a picture of myself in a shut down mode. Hubby took it without my knowledge and it was at home and during the time mom was in the hospital when we didn't know whether she'd live or die. I showed it to mom and she was shocked at the state of mind I was in. You'd think she'd get the picture and lighten up on me but..... yeah, you know the rest.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I wish I could say that Elic! Calm is a word definitely in my vocabulary but so far in the book that I can't find it often enough! lol
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I wish I could go for walks but having lupus, I can't be in the sun or I'll break out with these ugly lesions which can take weeks to get to fade away. Instead, I clean my house or find some project to get into such as clean out my closet or something or maybe work in my garden once the sun passes over the trees.
Thanks for your kind words on my situation. I hope it straightens out soon too because I hate havoc in my life. Drama or havoc or anything of that sort just drives me nuts! 
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
26 Jul 10
Good ,orning Cat, i do the very same thing u do, i clean. I have always done that. works for me. u got alot of nice responses on your other discussion. See u are very loved on mylot. hugs, jo
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
[b]Hi Jo! Don't you wonder why our houses are so clean? Some ghost must've came in and did all the work! Don't we wish that were the case, huh? If only....
Yes I did get a lot of great responses and because of that, I'll stick around a wee bit longer. Thanks for being a BIG part in that!! Love you too!!
BTW, I've been MIA lately because I've been working really hard on dad's cross stitch so please bear with me! I've not forgotten you! I promise![/b]
Some ghost must've came in and did all the work! Don't we wish that were the case, huh? If only....
Yes I did get a lot of great responses and because of that, I'll stick around a wee bit longer. Thanks for being a BIG part in that!! Love you too!!
BTW, I've been MIA lately because I've been working really hard on dad's cross stitch so please bear with me! I've not forgotten you! I promise![/b]1 person likes this
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
Hi catsanddogs, thank you for accepting my friend request. I'm not sure what really mean by nervous energy in general. I am always nervous when i have to face something new. I am nervous when i learned i had to go for a training alone. I used to travel alone before but to places where i can contact somebody to ask directions. I feel nervous for every presentations we had in the office even we've working together for the last four years not. Anyways here's what i've learned from my teachers/friends:
* Take a deep breath. Breath slowly in, exhaling slowly for several times until the thug!thug! sound inside slows down.
* Let them know that you are nervous. I told them with a smile "You know what? You guys made me feel nervous" And they would laugh encouragingly.
Sometimes nervousness can be your friend. It made me pass my first job interview. LOL
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
That's nervous energy Bluerain, having a job interview the next day makes one nervous and antsy. I have to do something to get rid of the extra energy or I'd go nuts! lol
1 person likes this
@ehsanji (503)
• Pakistan
26 Jul 10
Since I am athletic and I am into all those sporty activities, so whenever I having this 'extra' boosting energy in me, or as you say the nervous energy, I just take my bike and go for cycling on some hilly areas, or to the area where it is sand all around. It's fun, and when I get back home, the first thing I do is to take a shower, and then I just lay back on the sofa. I can't tell you how much fun it is when you do that!
2 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
What a way to expel such energy! You have the right idea! At my age and never being much of an athlete, I couldn't do such a thing but you do have the right idea in getting rid of it. Maybe I should play some music and dance, like hard rock or something like that and just pretend I'm banging on something along with the music, that might help me. 
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
28 Jul 10
I wash dishes or vacuum. I also hae drama, lately here I have had too much drama in my life with the house apes. Knock wood, (as I knock on my head) its been peaceful about a week, shhhhh don't tell anyone. I like peace in my life. Good luck Cats, you now I wish you all the best. I'm in your corner.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
I can't bite my fingernails because I don't have any bottom teeth! lol But I did that for many years when I was a kid and young adult. I quit because I wanted to grow them but they're too flimsy to grow. But when I'm nervous, I always find something to do to expel the energy or I'll go bonkers.....
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
26 Jul 10
I think I am always full of nervous energy. I am a "go, go" type of person, always on the move, doing something. Very rarely am I able to just sit and relax. I have to take the time to do so, in fact, because I am just not a 'sit around' type of person. My Gramma was like that. Always busy, her life seemed too busy for most people and they wondered how she managed it. But that was just a normal state for her. And, it seems, for me, too.
Now, if I am pissed off, that is a whole different story. I usually rant and rave to get that out of my system. I don't clean to get rid of it, that doesn't help. I have to talk about it, hash it out, and decide what course of action to take, if any before I can get rid of it.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
31 Jul 10
Like you, I can't sit for long either. I get so antsy and have to get up and do something just to burn the energy. Hubby wishes I could sit through a whole movie but I can't. I have to get up and move around. To sit through a two hour movie, I'd have to be tied down. lol Busy bodies is what they call us but in a GOOD way though. 
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
31 Jul 10
I always thought that 'Busy bodies' were 'nosey-parkers' that were always sticking their noses into other people's business without warrant or need to do so. They just liked stirring up trouble for lack of something better to do.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
13 Nov 10
It's not something that is very pleasant when I have nervous energy. When this happens I try to do something relaxing, something that I enjoy doing and that will help me not thing about what making me nervous. I might read a good book, talk to my husband, watch a movie, or something like that. These are just a few things that I tend to do when this sort of thing happens. It takes time and patience, before it goes away, but eventually it does tend to go away.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
15 Nov 10
I have the hardest time watching a movie or read a book with nervous energy. I just can't sit still long enough to get into either of them so I have to do something with my hands to get rid of the unwanted energy. Sometimes I'll try to meditate in hopes it'll calm me down some so I can think clearly but if it doesn't then I'll do something productive to get rid of it.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
27 Jul 10
Hi cats so glad you are here! I have nervous energy often and I hate it too because I would love to do go about my days in a calm and relaxed manner but for one reason or another I find myself running on nerves. I found that listening to music helps a bit and calms me down to a less agitated state.
You’ll know when it will be time to have a talk to your parents; I agree you need to sort things out once and for all.
1 person likes this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
26 Jul 10
I'm a cleaner. A MAD cleaner ! I'm not a paranoid type or obsessive type of cleaner but when I get started, get the hell out of my way!
I just helped hubby in his den.......he is a hoarder..........BIG time hoarder as he FINALLY asked me to help get it cleaned up.
He has lou gehrigs disease ...long story but he's also a coin collector and a junkie, junkie person deluxe.........
He had asked me to find out what our neighbor next door would charge to make him a book case for his books(coin books and also , horses, rodeo, anything) and I asked, and the man is coming to measure and will make his case for nothing as has scraps ......
Ok, short story here. That meant hubby needed help with cleaning as the neighbor could not so much as walk in that den for the junk..........be that as it may, he can walk in there now!
It's not great but believe me that room took the energy out of me today LOL
@Terrencehenry6 (181)
• Jamaica
26 Jul 10
Wow that took me forever to read but it was kinda fun. When i have nervouse energy i bite my finger nails or sometimes rub my teeth togather. Usually my heart beats like crazzyy and at times i feel like i want to visit the bathroom lol . But to ease all of that tention all just bite on my finger nails but i don't bite them to much for its not healthy.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
26 Jul 10
I am like you, I usually clean house. I hope that things calm down soon. You need to just relax a while.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
26 Jul 10
You sound like me, quiet and shy, but get me mad and I can be in your face..lol (I also think we need more than 3 emots too) I also either clean house, dance or cry, and I do most of it cranking up the music, different genres depends on how upset I am...
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
27 Jul 10
Hey cats! I kinda do the same thing when I am in an emotional
tizzy! When I am really wound up I also clean! And I am not
necessarily the cleaning type so when I get that burst of nervous
energy I take things apart and throw things out (which the bf
loves)! Stop being so hard on yourself! What you need to do is
stop being a damned doormat for your parents and the rest of your
family! Your parents are not as helpless as you make them out to
be! They play on your kindness and so do your brothers! Try
saying no or just not being available or looking the other way
for a change! You need to start thinking more about you and
your husband who deserves more of your time especially for putting
up with all this crap for all these years! Pay attention to him
instead and let your parents either fend for themselves or let
your lazy azzed brothers take care of them! It is time for you
to STOP! I am saying this because I care about YOU! Hugs, Leslie
@iamjeciel (32)
• Philippines
26 Jul 10
first, let me tell you something about the owner of the apartment where i stayed for almost a year. when he's a bit nervous, he cleans the whole apartment building from top to bottom. no kidding. he'll clean the gutters on the roof... he'll wipe the stairs clean, each step from the second floor down... and by golly, even the drainage -- he will definitely clean them. dya know what makes him nervous? his wife. LOL... anyway, when im feeling a bit edgy... i try to think positively. i try to forget that feeling by absorbing something else, like a feeling of happiness or comfort... i watch a nice movie, usually something that's funny so then i end up laughing my a*s off... or sometimes, id listen to some nice music that i've downloaded recently and i'd imagine that i'm the artist singing the song and i'm having a concert and people who'd wronged me are there on the audience calling my name. so ok... that's me fantasizing about being famous and adored, haha, but hey, it helps take off the bad feeling... or if it's the worst type... i just go out with friends or cousins and we go jogging or walking or hang out at the mall and walk around a little bit... i think that to release tension, we need to do some physical activity or sweat out a little bit... i remembered reese witherspoon's character in legally blond 2... working out gives you endorphins... and endorphins make you happy. i think that should work for most of us... :-)
1 person likes this
