Experience peace

[Msteacher]

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is experiencing peace tonight. I have finally found some ways to relax that are helping me. If anyone needs a listening ear or would like me to share my strategies I'm here for you! Be blessed!

[PT81]

Hi msteacher. That’s great. Thanks for offering your help. What he worked for you?

[Msteacher in reply to PT81]

Well, I did some research last night after having a "moment". I found some things that will help me keep my mind focused on positive things rather than negative, as well as keeping myself task oriented (even when I don't want to). I get to feeling so bad sometimes that I don't want to do anything. I just want to lay in bed until it passes. Truth is, it takes longer to pass when I just lay there than it does to get up and do something to redirect my thoughts. So....Here is what I have learned:

1. Don't engage in worry. "Don't take the bait". When the thought creeps in just say to yourself "not taking that bait," and move on. You are identifying it as a negative thought and sending it on it's way.

2. Meditate 2 to 3 times a day. At first I didn't know what this meant because I have never meditated before. So I did some research. It is basically relaxing through breathing and being mindful of your own body. It REALLY helps me relax. But you have to find the not so cheesy ones. There are plenty of free apps.

3. Gratitude journal. Again, I had no idea what this was either, so I looked it up. If you google gratitude journal prompts, you will find thousands of excellent prompts to get you thinking positively. That way you don't have to sit around and think of something to write about. Doing it daily will start to create a habit in your brain for positive thought.

4. Keeping a normal routine. This is huge for me! I am a teacher and my routine has gone to pot. So last night I sat down and wrote out my daily routine. It's okay if I stray from it, but as long as I have a plan for the day it helps me to not feel lost and wondering in my thoughts.

5. Start a ritual. Something that you do every single day. Facetime with a sibling, go for a walk, read for 30 minutes in a comfy spot, exercise. Something that you can look forward to each day and enjoy.

6. Knowing that my panic attacks are false alarms, and that my physical symptoms are not life threatening and will go away helps a lot as well.

7. THIS IS BY FAR THE ONE THAT HELPS ME THE MOST: HELPING OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME. I get my information from the resources given to me by therapists and I attempt to retain them first. However, the true magic is when I need to share that to help another. Somehow, the information sticks with me much stronger when I share it with someone else. As if I believe it more. Does that make sense?

I know this is super long. I apologize. But I am just so excited to finally feel some relief!! It has been almost 4 months of panic on a daily basis!

[PT81 in reply to Msteacher]

It does. Thank you. I’m glad you are starting to have some relief. How long did it take you to get the hang of things? Your #7 point reminds me of an old professor. She would tell us To have a study partner b/c when we learn better when we have to teach someone else.

I came across a corny Facebook post that said.... How we walk with the broken, speaks louder than how we sit with the the great.

Keeping spreading the positivity. You too GiadaPeterson!

[Msteacher in reply to PT81]

I don't think that Facebook post was corny at all! I like it! I have struggled with anxiety since about 2004. From then until about 4 months ago it was managed with medication. I rarely had any anxiety for several years unless I was going through something traumatic such as divorce, death in the family, etc.... About 4 months ago I started seeing a chiropractor for the first time. He put a contraption around my head that had a rope with handlebars that extended out from the top of my head. While I lay on the table he began pulling my head to release tension from my neck. It was all great and felt good until he without warning jerk it as hard as he could pulling me to the edge of the table. This immediately sent me into a panic. I continued going for a while but would no longer allow them to touch my neck. When I finally calmed and moved on from this anxiety, the world shut down. Since then, I haven't been the same. For about 3 months straight I have been anxious and panicking EVERY SINGLE DAY until last night. For whatever reason, everything I did, read, and learned just clicked in that moment. I still have to practice keeping my thoughts focused and not allowing myself to slip off. But I don't feel like I am on the brink that I have every single moment of everyday. I feel much lighter.

[Agora1 in reply to Msteacher]

Msteacher, you are definitely on the right path. Eventually, we all get

there in our own time. Something clicks within us and all of a sudden

what we've learned makes sense. Applying it to our daily life is the key.

Thanks for sharing such a positive and informative post.

Namaste new friend. xx

[Msteacher in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for the feedback! It is such a relief to feel like I have regained some control and am able to go about a typical day without fear. This new found community has made me grateful and excited for better days ahead! So glad we aren't alone in this!

[Msteacher]

Thank you!! It was helpful for me to talk to you!