Calming My Anxiety

When I feel like I am about to ball up in to a knot and the ceiling is going to crash down on top of me, there are not many things that can pull me back to reality and alleviate my anxiety. After all, it was reality that made me anxious in the first place. So reality damn sure will not make me feel better.

So, what do I do? Before reaching for my medication, I try to understand what caused me to have anxiety in the first place. While I am trying to figure that out, I begin my deep breaths, in through the nose, and out through the mouth, nice and slow. What I have found is the deep breaths help to slow the heart rate down, but only if I concentrate on the breathing. I focus on ensuring my inhalations reach my gut and do not get jammed up in my chest.

The next thing I practice are imagery exercises. Yes, this is exactly what you think it is, visualization. I imagine I am on the beach, my favorite place in the entire world. I love the beach in any season, day or night, hot or cold. To watch and hear the waves break and glide upon the shore, the soft sound of bubbles popping as the salty foam reaches the sandy shore. There is nothing better. The ocean, on the beach, my happy place.

Everyone should practice breathing because breath is life. Without breath, we cease to exist. Besides, breathing is involuntary so just do it! Find a breathing technique that works for you and practice the technique during “non” anxiety moments. Practice will help you master your breathing during the moments your anxiety is at its highest.

Imagery, well everyone should have a happy place. Imagine that! Close your eyes, breathe and visualize. If you do not know what makes you happy take a moment and think about some of the simple things in life, that one thing that makes you smile, or that one thing, that for a brief moment makes the world okay, yes that thing. Visualize that! We all need to start somewhere and maybe, just maybe you will find something that will temporarily rescue you from the hell of anxiety.