A tranquil mind. Worry-free work. Always enough money. The blessing of good health. How many of these things do you not have?

[Jeff1943]

I have none of them, I hear you say. Then you are like all the English people. And like all the non-English people. And like all the people who ever existed from before the Romans when history began.

It seems we're not here just to enjoy the view. There are things to be done. We are warriors and worriers. And some anxiety spurs us on. The most we can ask is for a little time spent with friends. Time to warm our hands around the camp fire.

It's when anxiety reaches a point that overwhelms us that the trouble begins. But we are warriors trained to carry on. Only snowflakes bottle out. So we dig ourselves deeper into the midden of mental ill health.

But nobody beats anxiety disorder by doing more of the same that's making us ill. We need to make some changes around here and usually it's pretty obvious what they should be.

Claire Weekes' teachings have been around for 60 years. There are no magic bullets to beat anxiety disorder and depletion. You have to read and reread the book and begin to practice. Face. Accept. Float. Let time pass.

With the inevitability of gradualness we advance to respite and recovery. The helpful response becomes second nature: we lose our fear of fear: if we can learn to live with anxiety we will soon live without it.

Time to blow the dust off that long neglected copy of 'Self help for your nerves' known to our American cousins as 'Hope and help for your nerves'. Sit down. Open the cover. Your recovery has begun.

*no apologies for repeating this post from many years ago.

[Tinkynutbug]

Thank you sir for the reminder.I have an extreme fear of taking my bp.

Last summer my numbers jumped all over the place My MD told me not to worry to take my numbers again when i’m ready.

I decided just to take my bp meds , Stop worrying about taking my numbers as it’s impossible to get a true reading.

I’ve seen a psychologist who said daily meditation would work can’t do that very well I do resperate instead a breathing lesson machine.

I’ll do what’s in my power as walking to lose weight, doing meditation breathing and now i’ll open up my dusty claire weekes books thank you .

[Jeff1943 in reply to Tinkynutbug]

I know what you mean, Tinkynutbug, blood pressure can vary wildly from minute to minute. Even the act of taking your own bp at home can cause a rise in pressures.

My bp machine allows me to take 3 bp's at 2 minute intervals and then gives an average. That's about as accurate as you can get.

[Tinkynutbug in reply to Jeff1943]

Yes sir very true.

[EndUser13]

Very well said! I did end up buying a copy of Self-Help For Your Nerves after your post and am about a quarter of the way through. I really like the way she wrote!

[Jeff1943 in reply to EndUser13]

Yes EndUser13, Weekes wrote in a very reader friendly way, few medical terms and gives the impression she knows you personally.

[Hidden]

Like that word ‘Float’. Oh how I wish I sometimes could

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hidden]

I can only describe it as using imagination.

[Blueruth]

I volunteered as an ESL teacher assistant. Out of my comfort zone because I am in tech. I learned the following advice. It isn’t easy…letting people come to a conclusion. The second message is that we have our unique path.

“Teaching is successful only as it causes people to think for themselves. What the teacher thinks matters little; what he makes the child think matters much." —Alice Moore Hubbard

google.com/books/edition/Li...

[Jeff1943 in reply to Blueruth]

Yes Blueruth, people are more likely to believe if you let them take the last step themselves. So instead of telling them the answer is forty you tell them the story in two halves of twenty and let them come to the final conclusion themselves.

[Blueruth in reply to Jeff1943]

Glad you see that now. Saves you a lot of repetitive posts.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Blueruth]

If you find my posts repetitive you don't have to read them or respond to them.

[Hidden]

just guessing and nnnooo expert...maybe that nervous energy we just channel rather than have to achieve the peaceful tranquil mind who may be someone elses barometer of achievement....ie thoroghbreds are always a bit tense relative to other breeds....we can say gee i wish Sundowner were more like Old Henry.......forgeting old Henry is part TB or Colder blooded innately...

Horse breeders design the temperaments and aspects they want same as car builders or plant or flower breeders.........

am i correct towards humans?? dont know....sure seems like some sutdents are cold blooded and some to range of tense bright briliant ans super sensitive....always will be but god what gifts.......

seen students for a million years and jsut channel them towards niches that suit them.....hope they are relatively happy....ish...

but i dont expect perefc happy or anytintg...life isnt that kind ...alsways ups aned downs.......

just one mans lay non expert opoinon ...could be totally wrong....ignore anything i say thats insulting or not useful or doesnt fit.....welcome to disagree...

[bergh]

You know Jeff, I take my copy of the book everywhere but I still have not started reading? I read all your posts and vow to start soon, but is it my perfectionism stopping me? I worry I won't understand it enough or I won't be able to do the work? I think you have told me before just to try even 1 page at a time? I then feel more guilt for not starting, and was it 2 or 3 years ago we first corresponded? I feel the book is calling to me so why can't I just start it? I spend time scrolling shorter posts, yours are perfect, as they are easier to read and complete? I can manage short reads "perfectly" and see them through to the end. With books I fear I will never make it? Your posts at least help sour me on and keep nagging at me to get a move on!!! Much love, Rachel x

[Jeff1943 in reply to bergh]

Don't force yourself to do anything, Rachel, or it will not be fruitful. Maybe one day you will read the book, maybe it's the wrong medium for you. There are several YouTube videos where Claire recorded her thoughts. Maybe you would find those easier. Either way, I wish you early success in your quest for respite and recovery.

[bergh]

Oh great, I do want to read it so much ? But perhaps the videos are more accessible right now when I am so agitated and find it hard to sit still and read? Thank you, I will try to take a look🤞

[Zhangliqun]

Imagine if we did have all those things everyone thinks would bring Heaven to earth -- what spoiled demonic brats we would become.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Zhangliqun]

Agreed - I never meant it would be good to have all these things. Heaven forbid, life without challenges would be no life at all. But when the anxiety becomes overwhelming it is time to act.

[NicksName]

Hi Jeff,

I think I looked into Claire Weekes because of you. Stating how it was your bible toward recovery here. I'm glad to know you have a tool that works for you and it's helpful for many.

Unfortunately for me it's not a viable solution at this time. I'm realize any viable resource requires hope, commitment and realistic expectations. Those I'm fresh out of at this writing. What I'm finding does give me comfort is an exit plan. I understand roughly 30 percent do not exercise the plan, but simply knowing they have this option, if they need it does give comfort. Maybe I'll be in that 30 percent too.

Best to you.

[Jeff1943 in reply to NicksName]

I'm sorry that Claire Weekes didn't do it for you but if you feel you can't raise sufficient hope and commitment then I fully understand. I'm sure you are aware of the many alternatives.

I hope that given time your reserves of hope and commitment are replenished and will sustain you in gaining respite and recovery however you bring these about.