Good day!
From what I can gather from your description of your situation, it seems that you work long hours, up to 10 hours a day, and that you have a lot on your plate, with little time to exercise.
It might be helpful to consider some ways you can take care of yourself physically.
Given the pace of life, it can be challenging to find time to relieve stress and fatigue, which can contribute to a state of constant tension in the nerves. This may be a significant contributing factor to depression and anxiety. However, the questioner has no intention of resigning or changing jobs, which presents a unique challenge. In such cases, it's helpful to explore common methods for reducing stress, such as meditation.
One of the wonderful things about meditation is that it doesn't require a special venue or a specific amount of time. You can do it during work breaks, in five-minute, eight-minute, or ten-minute chunks. It might be helpful to find a seat where you won't be disturbed (if you're worried about interruptions from colleagues, you could consider telling them you need five or ten minutes, and that you'll get back to them right after).
Some guided mindfulness meditation courses can help you to gradually build up your practice. There are many ways to help yourself temporarily escape from the stressful and irritating work environment during meditation, to connect with your body, to find intentions that nourish your body and mind to deal with negative emotions, to give yourself self-care, and to give yourself the strength and healing power to counter depression and anxiety.
I'm not sure if the questioner works indoors all the time. If so, some body relaxation exercises that can be done while sitting in a chair, such as simple yoga stretching, might be helpful. You could try doing them in the evening before going to bed, for ten or twenty minutes, to help stretch and relax your body and mind. Because our body and mind are actually one, physical tension can sometimes lead to mental tension, and vice versa.
It may be helpful to consider that physical relaxation can also lead to mental relaxation.
Could I suggest some ways in which you might be able to help yourself on the psychological level?
It might also be helpful to consider ways of dealing with stressors. This could involve understanding what makes you feel more stressed and causes mental tension. This part of the content could be seen as mainly working for yourself on the psychological level. The psychological space is extremely complex and may require some professional knowledge and skills to be more effective.
From a temporal and energetic standpoint, it may be most beneficial to seek out a counselor who aligns with your needs and work with them to foster self-care. Interpersonal stressors can often stem from underlying personality structures, making it challenging to address these issues independently.
If your attitude or views on events and people in the workplace are a source of stress, you might find it helpful to read the book "Master of Psychology Ellis's Classic Works: Controlling Anxiety (Centennial Anniversary Edition)" published by China Machine Press. It suggests that our stressors may sometimes come from within, as well as from the outside.
When there is a discrepancy between our perception and the facts, or when our perspective is not comfortable, it can trigger a range of challenging emotions. If these emotions are persistent, they can affect our overall well-being. This book offers guidance on identifying potential stressors and offers strategies for reducing negative emotions.
It might be helpful to consider some other possibilities.
It may be helpful to consider seeking a medical and psychological diagnosis to rule out non-psychogenic causes of depression, anxiety, and mental confusion. It could also be beneficial to explore the support of trusted family and friends, such as confiding in and seeking companionship, and utilizing the strength of others to navigate challenging times.
Additionally, it is possible that depression and anxiety may result from burnout caused by the necessity of continuing to work. The 37-year-old age group may also experience a sense of being stuck in a challenging situation, similar to a camel walking in the desert. This kind of workplace path, where you walk day after day, carrying a heavy load, without seeing the end, may contribute to a sense of burnout, making the body and mind doubly tired and vulnerable. A minor issue that doesn't go as planned can lead to feelings of irritability. This may be a sign that your tolerance for this state has become very low.
It could be said that humans are a species that needs hope and a sense of meaning. In the first ten years after starting a career, people are usually full of passion, motivation and expectations for themselves. They also experience novelty, excitement and eagerness to try. Even if they don't think about the meaning of their career, the meaning is there: because hope is in their hearts. Later, they adapt, adjust, improve, become proficient and professional in their jobs. They can more or less achieve salary increases and promotions. This process has always been full of changes and a sense of achievement.
Over the past ten years, you may have reached a point in your career where you are a key member of your team but the chances of promotion are much lower than before. It can be challenging to predict how many more years of hard work it will take before you can make a breakthrough. You may feel like a camel in the desert, burdened with heavy loads, and feel that you have no other choice but to keep walking.
It may be the case that the sense of meaning has disappeared. When we are unable to understand why we should keep going, it can become a matter of necessity, and our capacity to tolerate this can be limited. This may also affect our inner expectations, enthusiasm and motivation. It is possible that we may lose interest in many things, and feel a lack of spiritual support. This could be a sign of burnout.
You might consider taking some time to reflect on your future direction. Even if you don't leave your job immediately, you can gradually explore and contemplate what kind of life you aspire to. If you can't fully achieve it all in the present, which aspects can you gradually work towards and envision as possibilities in the future? Additionally, you can align your vision with your current work. For instance, your work provides income to support you during this challenging period and can potentially lay the foundation or prepare you for the lifestyle you desire in the future.
It might be the case that when the meaning of this job becomes clearer, you will naturally make trade-offs at work, be able to reduce some work tasks and some pressure, thereby alleviating the emotions of depression, anxiety and restlessness. It's also possible that thinking about it may help you gain the possibility of other senses of meaning, so that your tolerance for work pressure can be enhanced.
P.S. Given my limited understanding of the questioner, I offer this answer based on my own speculation of possible causes. I kindly ask that you disregard any parts that do not align with the questioner's perspective. I sincerely hope that the questioner can find an effective solution and recover health as soon as possible.
I hope this finds you well. I just wanted to say that I love you and the world.
Comments
Life can be overwhelming at times. It sounds like you're under a lot of pressure. Have you considered setting small, manageable goals each day to help feel a sense of accomplishment? Maybe incorporating a brief mindfulness practice could also ease your mind.
Finding time for yourself is crucial. Even if it's just 10 minutes a day, try to do something you love. Reading a book or listening to music might help you disconnect from the daily grind and recharge your batteries.
It's important to have an outlet for stress. Talking to yourself can be a start, but sharing your feelings with friends or family might provide relief and support. Perhaps joining a group or club that interests you could also offer a new perspective.
Exercise doesn't always mean hitting the gym. A short walk during lunch break or some stretching at home can make a difference in your mood and energy levels. Small changes can lead to big improvements over time.
Given your workload, prioritizing tasks might help reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. Try listing what needs to be done and tackle the most important items first. Sometimes just seeing things written down can make them seem more manageable.