keeping a routine

I too like routine and find it really difficult to change my routine. I prefer to go to work even if I am ill because changing the routine would cause me more distress. In my work however I have to cope with a lot of unpredictability. Over the years I have found that as long as the start and end of my day is predictable I can cope with and accept anything that happens in between, and in fact this is a good thing as it too stops me from becoming obsessive about routine and inflexible. I will typically arrive at work before anyone else, make a cup of tea and turn on a favourite music play list. I will then check my emails and reply to as many as I can and tick any that I need to respond to later. The end of the day is a similar routine. 

There have been two significant and prolonged periods in my life where I restricted and avoided foods which impacted on every aspect of my health. I didn't have the physiological sensations you experience however. For me the trigger was emotional distress and anxiety which I didn't realise until a long time after. I found that doing the things that help to regulate my nervous system and reduce my anxiety really worked... But it took time. I found understanding my sensory profile useful and knowing input that I find alerting and input that I find calming to have been helpful in working out what activities keep my nervous system balanced. I now make sure these are part of my week. Some occupational therapists can help with this. For me I need lots of proprioception (difficult when in conjunction with an eating disorder because of low energy levels and needing to exercise safely) yoga helped and continues to help me. It has also given me a much better relationship with my body in terms of learning to connect with it and look after it. Now that my eating is better also climbing. I know others that benefit from massage, crafts, swimming, baking..etc. It sounds simple but spending time working out what makes you happy I think is really important. Hope this is helpful.... I'm still very much on the journey of discovery and no expert..... 

I too like routine and find it really difficult to change my routine. I prefer to go to work even if I am ill because changing the routine would cause me more distress. In my work however I have to cope with a lot of unpredictability. Over the years I have found that as long as the start and end of my day is predictable I can cope with and accept anything that happens in between, and in fact this is a good thing as it too stops me from becoming obsessive about routine and inflexible. I will typically arrive at work before anyone else, make a cup of tea and turn on a favourite music play list. I will then check my emails and reply to as many as I can and tick any that I need to respond to later. The end of the day is a similar routine. 

There have been two significant and prolonged periods in my life where I restricted and avoided foods which impacted on every aspect of my health. I didn't have the physiological sensations you experience however. For me the trigger was emotional distress and anxiety which I didn't realise until a long time after. I found that doing the things that help to regulate my nervous system and reduce my anxiety really worked... But it took time. I found understanding my sensory profile useful and knowing input that I find alerting and input that I find calming to have been helpful in working out what activities keep my nervous system balanced. I now make sure these are part of my week. Some occupational therapists can help with this. For me I need lots of proprioception (difficult when in conjunction with an eating disorder because of low energy levels and needing to exercise safely) yoga helped and continues to help me. It has also given me a much better relationship with my body in terms of learning to connect with it and look after it. Now that my eating is better also climbing. I know others that benefit from massage, crafts, swimming, baking..etc. It sounds simple but spending time working out what makes you happy I think is really important. Hope this is helpful.... I'm still very much on the journey of discovery and no expert.....