| The world of a chronically anxious person can | | | | your assessment of the problem, and don't |
| be very dark and exhausting. It is possible | | | | magnify or dramatize it in any way. Just take |
| to fight fear and anxiety head-on with an | | | | time to think it over without allowing |
| arsenal of tools to re-train your mind to | | | | emotions to take over. It takes practise to |
| feel calmer and more at peace. Having | | | | do this, but is well worth the work. You are |
| suffered with anxiety my whole life, through | | | | re-training your mind to react more calmly |
| much therapy and learning, I have learned to | | | | instead of in the old, familiar ways such as |
| have a kinder and gentler way of being. It | | | | panicking or becoming overly emotional. Write |
| has taken a lot of work, but peace of mind is | | | | it down, and keep a diary of your progress. |
| well worth it. Here are some tips to help | | | | |
| anyone suffering from severe stress, anxiety | | | | Don't beat yourself up |
| or fear. | | | | |
| | | | Be kind to your mind. Let yourself make |
| When feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus, | | | | mistakes, because that's what learning is all |
| stop for a moment | | | | about. Practise being understanding and |
| | | | supportive to yourself. Don't rely on others |
| If your mind is on "overload," that is your | | | | to do this for you, let it come from deep |
| body's way of telling you that you need to | | | | inside you, instead. If you grew up hearing |
| stop and regroup for a moment. Take a few | | | | negative things about yourself from those you |
| long, deep breaths. By doing this, you are | | | | love the most, you may be conditioned to |
| slowing down your system, and attempting to | | | | think poorly of yourself. The only way out of |
| tell your body to physically calm down. Close | | | | it is through it. I know, because I've been |
| your eyes and do this for a few minutes, as | | | | there myself. The more I've practised |
| you clear your mind temporarily of all | | | | countering self-criticisms with positive |
| thoughts. | | | | thoughts, the easier it got. I can slip into |
| | | | being hard on myself, but then I catch the |
| Get moving, to help your body produce | | | | problem and correct it. Remember, nobody is |
| endorphins, or "feel good" chemicals | | | | perfect, and mistakes are only human. |
| | | | |
| Another way to recharge your mind is to get | | | | By battling stress and anxiety full-force, on |
| up and do some sort of physical activity. | | | | a consistent basis, you can improve the |
| Whether it's a brief walk, jog or ride on an | | | | quality of your life. Don't give up. Part of |
| exercise bicycle, do something to get your | | | | my success has come from being somewhat |
| heart moving. Physical exercise will help | | | | stubborn and tenacious about solving |
| your body to naturally produce chemicals | | | | problems. I use all those fighting skills |
| called endorphins, that can help to improve | | | | once needed for survival, now against the |
| your mood. | | | | high emotion I no longer want or need. Most |
| | | | of my days are peaceful and calm. If a |
| Be logical, not emotional | | | | problem crops up, I deal with it. Before, |
| | | | panic would set in and I'd look to others to |
| Instead of jumping to conclusions about the | | | | help me fix it. By believing in myself and my |
| situation, be rational about it and calmly | | | | ability to overcome problems, my life has |
| think of solutions to it. Be realistic in | | | | improved. If I can do it, so can you. |