an agoraphobia perfect shopping trip

[Shunneddune]

well today was grocery day....this is going to sound odd but I shopped at the great American institutions of dollar general ( their nuts and trial mixes are cheap) I was the only one in the store....they had two registers when I was done shopping and no one was working so I went to self checkout...might not sound like a big deal l but for two years I had all my food delivered but my new doctor is working with me since I'm getting old and trying to lower my mens but it's important to me to keep getting out even if it's just once week..?but I know it's Al's a little avoidance of the grocery store

[Agora1]

Hi Shunneddune, A big pat on the back with a Congrats to go along.

It's ironic that the Dollar Shop was my first shopping experience after

having been in for 5 years. I walked into the store, grabbed a cart and

planned just to walk around. It felt so good to be back in one of my many

favorite places. Nothing really changed. As I walked up and down the aisles,

I forgot about the time, I forgot about my mission in going there. I felt back

in my comfort zone.

An hour and a half later, I happily walked out of the store with bags of treasures

and a smile on my face. Good Job today You did Good xx

[Shunneddune in reply to Agora1]

My first place after two years was the library then I went shopping and went whoever but some of my latest anxiety meds I just can't tolerate but now it's just mind over irrational mind

[Agora1 in reply to Shunneddune]

I hear you. I'm sure you have heard me say how Meditation and Breathing

have become the "key" to my success in getting over Agoraphobia as well

as the state of "fight or flight".

Whenever I may feel a little anxious, I immediately start my breathing

exercises. What's nice is that it can be done anywhere without anyone

knowing. The inhaling of a deep belly breath can oxygenate the body

and the long slow exhale can reduce the adrenaline levels, slow down your

heart rate and blood pressure putting you into a calmer state of mind and body.

You're doing good by forcing yourself to get out even for just short periods

of time. One day soon you will tame that irrational mind to obey what you

tell it lol. xx

[Shunneddune]

thanks for the encouragement...I smoked 4 packs a day for twenty years so b4eathing exercises are too difficult for me...I use grounding when I go out and if all else fails safe false alarm breath again that part is hard

[roses4all]

Congrats. I go ''grocery'' shopping once a week. One week, it's the dollar store and the next week, it's the grocery store. Any more than that and my anxiety goes way up. Breathing does not help. Grounding does not work. I need to have a lot of down time. It also helps to get everything ready the night before. Tomorrow is the grocery store... my bag is packed and my list is made. Everything is ready at the door. I have to get up and get out before I can't.

[Agora1 in reply to roses4all]

Hi roses4all, it has helped me by not trying to look at everything all at once.

Taking one side of the aisle at a time can help keep the eyes from darting

around trying to take in everything at once. Slow and easy still gets it done. xx