Worse at night

Does anyone else struggle more in the evening to night time? For me it is like the world slows down and my brain speeds up. The weight I carry crashes down on me all at once.

Im trying to stay focused on meditating, music, breathing, distraction. I still feel pangs of sadness slip through.

I know what you mean about the world slowing down and my brain speeding up... and the weight we carry.

I too try to stay focused on music, breathing, distracting and sometimes meditating during those times. Thank you for posting, please keep sharing

Yes. Evenings can be very hard on me. It is occasionally painfully evident in some of my posts at night. Nights are my low ebb. I'm tired, it's darker, I've either had a lot to do or I haven't gotten things done. All the sadness, regret and grief over my life are more likely to rear up then.

I don't experience the variation in brain speed that is often an effect of depression on some people, so I don't know what to offer in that regard.

Overthinking things is something I fight with all the time. It's my mind's natural mode of operation. On the positive side, I perceive many things and have an inquisitive mind. On the downside, I run through problems that haven't even happened, and the hamsters in their little wheels get little rest. Plus, because of my social anxiety I'm hypervigilant as a result. Like you, I've also done some meditation to calm and clear my mind.

I too practice distraction. Doing something other than ruminating is hugely important for me. I find it has to be something sufficiently engaging to not allow my mind to wander. But that can be hard to focus on at the end of the day. Television definitely doesn't cut it. Reading and posting here can be engaging enough, but can also be triggering ... so, sometimes. Playing piano is good if I'm not too tired. In addition, I do some of the "nice memories" or "positive statements" or "good thing today" threads here to try and redirect my thoughts.

Despite my social anxiety, if I can find someone safe, another person to talk to about anything can really stabilize me. So, I'd suggest company if you can manage it and if it helps.

I hope you can find a little more peace in your evenings.

Yes, I think any time the exterior demands on you slow down, that "monkey mind" if you will, can get going and start torturing you. So either you distract yourself as others have said, or if you are able, you try to transcend the whole thing by some sort of meditation or relaxation. But no question, it is a challenge.