Anxiety and panic attacks can be shocking,
disruptive, curb our confidence and intimidate us. They may be something that comes and grabs
you by surprise or they can creep up on you slowly. It may also be something that you feel that
you can’t explain to those who surround you or whom are normally supporting
you. Also you may not want to admit that
this is happening to you or talk about it.
Suffering alone and hoping it will go away
is a very troublesome path and will only increase the pain and torment you may
be feeling. Admitting that you need a
little help is the first huge step on the road to overcoming or recovery from
these issues, and approaching someone that has also had similar problems
through centers and groups could be the best answer. Trying to explain how your panic attack is
effecting you even to your closest and dearest may seem impossible. But without approaching your feelings and
your mind you may be worsening your symptoms and even may find that you cannot
face to go to work or to other commitments that you may have and things can
really nose dive from here.
Know that you are not alone there are so
many people all over the world suffering with similar issues and that you are
by no means no less than anyone else because of them. Don’t hide away; talk to those that are
closest to you and although it may be the hardest thing to explain just getting
it out in the open is a massive step and relief. Saying it out loud “I’m not coping,” to
someone you can trust can be a massive relief, just saying those words, then
look for the extra help you need. If you
feel you really can’t talk then write it down that may be an easier approach –
what it is that you are afraid of, where do you think this has stemmed
from? It may be something that you have
gone through recently that has triggered it or it may be something from so far
back, but someone you have known for a long time may even be able to shed the
light on why this is happening to you more easily than you imagine. As soon as you admit to yourself you have
fears etc, then the path forward can open itself to you.
Look for a great gentle yoga instructor
that can guide you through a soothing and calming practice that you can learn
and practice daily. Guided meditations
are a great way to affirm positive thoughts and uplift you and build your
confidence up again. Proper exercise in
the respect of working through each part of you without over stressing is
essential, too much exercise is going to give you more stress, but it is very
important to get out and into nature. You
have to find your level and limitations and stay within them until you are ready
to move on. Never try to force a tougher
workout or feel under pressure to do so, now is the time to be gentle and go
slowly slowly.
Eat well; good organic foods made from the
heart, avoid junk foods to try to console yourself, this will only effect you
negatively. Drink plenty of water to
support your emotions.
Get out into the garden or a garden and
plant some seeds, do some gardening and nurture yourself with mother
earth. Get enough rest is a must and
definitely increase the amount of sleep you are having for a while. Speak to a counselor and get some feedback on
your how you are doing. I found making
lists of what I needed to do invaluable and help to ease my fuzzy head! Nurture yourself with holistic approaches so
you can find your inner medicine and avoid making yourself feel better with
things that are dependent such as drugs and alcohol. Yoga, aromatherapy, massage, tai chi and
acupuncture are all wonderful ways to reach your goal of wellbeing of mind and
body, because you deserve it, there is nobody who doesn’t deserve to be well
and happy, because essentially that is your true nature. If you need to take time off then do so.
Here is a beautiful guided contemplation
that can help you – sit in a quiet place with phone off and no distractions, it
wont take long and over time when you are more settled you can increase your
time for sitting. You can sit cross-legged
on the floor or if this is uncomfortable or not possible sit on a chair as long
as the spine is held straight. Close
your eyes and start to feel your body, are you warm, cool, do you have any
sensations within the body. Acknowledge
those sensations and allow them to be there without judgment. Start to become aware of your breath and allow
your mind to follow every inhalation and every exhalation; just follow you
don’t need to try to deepen the breath or change it – just follow. Then start to tell yourself –
I breathe in calmness and I breathe out
calmness
I breathe in quietness and I breathe out
quietness
I breathe in stillness and I breathe out
stillness
You can repeat this for some time whatever
is working for you,
and then begin –
I cannot give to anyone else what I first
have not given to myself
I feel the space around me and I feel this
moment
I deserve this moment of peace and
stillness
From this moment on I chose to love myself
just as I am.
From this moment on I chose to love myself
just as I am.
I am loving and I am loveable.
I have strength and I have courage
I love myself just as I am right now in
this moment.
I will always be here for me and I will
never abandon me.
I love myself just as I am right now in
this moment and all moments.
You may then like to move into child’s pose for
some time and simply breathe. Feel
nurtured by the universe and breathe and be.
Give yourself time to come out of the practice in a relaxed way – slowly
with no rush, you may even like to place your hands over your closed eyes for a
few moments then open the eyes behind your hands before releasing your hands down.
Take care everybody and love yourself,
look after yourselves, wishing you all courage and to feel the beauty of whom
you are.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Mangala / Nicky
