Why is it that so many of us need to keep this horrible little head f*** a secret? Afraid of what people may think of us... afraid of what your boss and colleagues may think of you? Friends and family, just don't really understand.
Anyone who has not had anxiety simply doesn't understand.. & that's okay, they don't need to.
If this you..? I feel you! This used to be me too.
It wasn't until I almost collapsed in the Dr's, I couldn't breathe, felt like I was honestly going to die, I couldn't take in enough oxygen I was dizzy and crying my eyes out. No one understands, really understands unless they have been there!
So, I got put on a waiting list to see a therapist, meanwhile, here's some diazepam. These little bad boys were my safety net, I felt okay as long as these little pills were in my purse.
The panic attacks continued though, I was off my work with anxiety & stress, I felt shamed and embarrassed. I thought my colleagues would be talking about me, that I couldn't handle things, there was no way my boss was going to give me that promotion now. What a let down.
When you have anxiety, you feel powerless, you are on an emotional rollercoaster and can't get off. Some days would be okay and the next thing BANG.
I couldn't understand why panic attacks happened when I was on a night out enjoying myself, having a great night with my girl friends, then BANG like a balloon popping, almost like anxiety is its own entity saying to you... "having fun are you? Not on my watch!"
It even happened when I was going to bed relaxing, then here it comes, shortness of breath, heart racing, Id reach for those little pills and eventually they'd kick in.
Pills didn't heal the problem, all they did was mask the the issue. They made me feel calm and woozy. I didn't want to rely on a drug to diffuse my emotional state.
This is no way to live, the impending fear of when is the next one going to bite! So I started staying in more, feel myself getting more depressed.
Eventually my appointment for the therapist came in. That woman taught me something really simple, which really worked for me. Perhaps it may help you too.
So, the minute, I started feeling slightly short of breath, I would pour myself a cup of water, focus on nothing but the water. If someone tried to speak to me, I ignored them, the phone, I ignored it, I just sat down, sipped and sipped and breathed until it passed... & it did.
That gave me self control. I no longer felt powerless, the fear of the impending doom of having a panic attack soon passed because I have learned how to control it. I prefer to use the word control, instead of manage, because managing something, feels like its always going to be there, where as if you are controlling it, you are taking all of its power!
Do not allow anyone to make you feel like anxiety should be your dirty little secret, kept hidden away. Anyone who is ignorant about it simply doesn't understand. Don't take it personally, I hope they never do understand.
Be you, unapologetically you, in all your beautiful flaws. You have power in you beyond your comprehension, all you have to do is learn how to tap into it and utilise your inner power.
I have since learned other simple, yet highly effective techniques which I use with my clients which really help.
Im really glad to say that don't suffer from that evil entity called anxiety, I have learned how to master my state, & utilise my own inner power. You too can learn how to do this.
Heres a little checklist (because I just love checklists :) of things that have have helped me become anxiety free.
1) Become aware of your self talk.
Are you self sabotaging yourself, putting yourself down? Your body is listening & responding to everything you are telling it.
3) Hypnosis
Hypnosis really helped me, that was one of the reasons I have became a cbt hypnotherapist. It helps your mind from a subconscious level, think healthier, you feel calmer, happier and more confident.
4) Breathe
Become aware of where you are breathing, if you are breathing from your chest, this is a stressed and anxious breath. If you breathe into your bottom belly, this is a calm grounded breath. Feel free to check out my video on you tube how to do this: Debbie Glen Rapid Anxiety Relief.
5) Up your water intake
Dehydration leads to anxiety and depression. If you think about it, your brain and body is made up mostly of water, lack of water starves your brain. Your supposed to drink 2-3 litres per day, which seems like an awful lot, but seriously, it is a game changer! Great for your skin and organs too! If your pee is darker than light champagne you are dehydrated.
6) Vitamins
Are you getting enough vitamins and minerals? For eg; some research suggests that having a Vitamin D deficiency could also be linked with anxiety.
7) Meditation
Meditation, calms your body and mind, helps you become more focused, is healing, anti ageing, helps you feel more connected and happier. Although, it can be difficult to meditate if you are feeling anxious as its hard to relax. I feel hypnosis works better to begin with, after you feel more calmer and in control then try meditation.
8) Self Care
Are you taking any time for yourself to reset and heal? Try Reiki, its amazing for healing, anxiety, sleep. I love reiki! Or you could book a massage, have a date night to yourself once a week. Self care is paramount! You cannot feel relaxed and anxious at the same time.
9) Self Love
Love and appreciate yourself in all your stunning flaws! Accept yourself for you and your mistakes. No one is perfect & no ones life is perfect. Decide to feel better for you, if you feel good, your in a better place to help others too. Your energy affects your family and friends and everyone around you. We are all connected.
10) Mindfulness
In all its simplicity, living in the moment is all that is true. The past does not exist, neither does the future, all that is true is this moment. If you are absorbed in the moment, you cannot be anxious and you cannot be depressed. The present truly is a gift.
11) Practice Gratitude
Writing down & feeling gratitude, improves the way you feel and your energy. You are an energetic being, how you feel on the inside reflects what you are attracting on the outside.
12) Affirmations
Affirmations are words or phrases you speak out load and into yourself to change the way you feel and to help attract what you want in your life. How to you want to feel instead of how you are feeling? What could you say that would make you feel that way. Check out my You Tube video how to make affirmations work for you.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog! I hope you have found this useful, if you know of anyone else this can help, feel free to share. Debbie X