Anxiety out of control

[Javahead]

Please let me know what tools you use to control your anxiety. My life is pretty good and sometimes I don't focus on the good as much as I should. I do ok, but when several things are going wrong and having to wait for a situation to play out, I can hardly control my anxiety. I use most of the tools I've learned but then there are those times when I just need to bounce things off of people who really understand anxiety. And can give me some calming words.😬

[Agora1]

Javahead, I'm sorry that some things arose in your life that prompted the anxiety

to take hold once again. The key in controlling our emotional and physical sensations

and thoughts is to practice each and every day. Whatever works for you, whether

it be breathing exercises, meditation, relaxation techniques etc. Teaching our bodies

and mind to respond if we feel even an inkling of stress in our lives. After all practice

makes perfect or at least near perfect.

I use meditation and breathing both before bed as well as upon awakening. Mid afternoon

is usually a good time to do a 5 min regenerative meditation. Another thing I use is

a cue which can be a hand placement on my stomach. This can actually work by the mind

being trained that this position is a calming effect.

Of course we all react differently to different methods/tools. I've trained myself with

multiple techniques including Self Hypnosis, Biofeedback, Affirmations, Imagery etc.

Eventually, your mind will be so trained that even when hearing a word on tv, you

mind will immediately go to a relaxing stressless moment. When I was trained in

self hypnosis, the hypnotherapist used numbers going down from 10 to 1.

Consequently, when I'm in an elevator or watching the last 10 seconds of the

microwave or hearing someone on tv count down, my mind immediately goes into

a tranquil mode. It works...Hope this helps some.

Of course, knowing and addressing the cause of the stress helps immensely. xx

[lemonorchard in reply to Agora1]

I am brand new to this group and new to experiencing high anxiety difficulties. I am just starting to gather ideas on trying to figure out ways to extinguish these difficult feelings. The different things that you mentioned are ideas that I want to implement in my case. Exercise and stretching seems to be very positive but I need much more to conquer my high anxiety. I would like to try meditation. I am just experimenting with deep breathing and am noticing that does give some relief with my shortness of breath. I'm very appreciative to your post.

[Agora1 in reply to lemonorchard]

Thank you dear. It took me many years of therapy, medications as well as different

forms of tools. Ironically, what was with me the whole time, Breathing, became the

key for me.

I had like you, shortness of breath but didn't understand why. Never related it to

anxiety but to something more dire. That in turn put me in a continuous cycle of

fear begets fear. I then realize that I was either holding my breath at time or over

breathing (hyperventilation) which only exacerbated by adrenaline and fear.

Once I started practicing this method every day while not in a state of panic, I

could feel the release within me. The upper stomach (solar plexus area) would get

tightened and make me feel as if I couldn't breathe. Working on proper breathing

exercises which included "belly breathing" and "exhaling long and slow" I started

feeling relief both physically and mentally.

Eventually I was able to drive more comfortably, shop at ease and socialize without

getting stressed out. So I don't overwhelm you on your first day, I'd like to Welcome

you to this great community of understanding and caring people.

With everyone sharing their experiences, hopefully in time you will find what you

respond to. We're always here to help each other. Welcome lemonorchard xx