Anxiety Management Techniques

[ManagedSerenity]

I am in search of advice, feedback and anxiety management techniques

Before I get into the details of my current question I would like to provide some basic background information to frame this discussion. I was diagnosed with social anxiety and panic disorder while in college in 2008. I was treated with benzodiazepines and SSNRI initially and transitioned completely to non-medication based therapy in 2015. I work with my medical provider but would greatly appreciate the opportunity to learn from the experience of others managing anxiety on a daily basis.

LIFE SITUATION THAT HAS PROMPTED ME TO SEEK ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME: I have recently re-enrolled in college and am set to begin classes in late August. This has triggered some rather extreme anxiety for me. When I first attended college, at the age of 17, I developed sever anxiety which I lived with undiagnosed and unmanaged for 2 years. As a result, I left college without graduating and sought medical assistance.

A lot has changed for me since then. Simply understanding that I have anxiety and learning to recognize its symptoms changed a lot for me. I attended community college and received a paralegal certification in 2013 and have been working for the same law firm ever since. I found a career I love and that brought balance to my life put it also created a new problem. I now very much want to attend law school and become a lawyer. This means I have to attend college again, complete a bachelor’s degree and move on to law school from there. I am now only one payment away from being a student again. I will also be working full time while attending school full time.

The prospect of being a student and working full time is daunting but the biggest source anxiety for me right now is actually caused by the wait. I wish the school semester would just start already. Then I will have school work, work work and steady stream on new knowledge to occupy my mind. Right now all I seem to be able to do is worry about the work and life changes ahead.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE HELP WITH: I am looking for anxiety management techniques. Primarily I am looking for techniques to help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders. The symptoms that are most bothersome to me: 1) muscle tensing in neck and shoulders, 2) accelerated breathing and 3) difficultly sleeping through the night. Are there any specific exercises or meditation techniques other people have found useful?

TECHNIQUES I CURRENTLY USE: I have experienced a lot of success managing anxiety with breath retention and hot yoga as well as frequent walks with my dogs. I have also found eating a balanced diet and eating meals on a regular schedule helps manage my anxiety. I do use melatonin; it helps me go to sleep and maintain a regular bed time but I have had trouble staying asleep recently. I recognize that sleep affects a lot other aspects of anxiety so achieving restful sleep is priority number 1 for me at this point.

Thanks for your time.