paulwojnicki
14-02-12, 12:27
Hi guys,
I'm not sure if there's already been a thread on this (probably has) but I'll start this anyway. I'm going to compile a list of things that have helped me over the last nine years and if anyone wants to contribute to the list they can. Maybe we'll give each other a few ideas in the process.
Swimming. There is something calming about water. Just floating in the water on your back feels calming. Try it. Then try swimming, focus on the far side of the pool and take long steady breast strokes, focusing on each stroke as you do so. This helps to develop focus and helps you live in the moment rather than worrying about events that will not happen.
Eating something delicious. Again this is a great way of focusing your mind instead of thinking about catastrophic events that will not happen. I find it good to take a succulent green apple or a lovely peach with me if I'm going anywhere that might make me anxious like a train journey or bus journey. If you feel anxiety coming on, take a bite of the apple, close your eyes an focus on how sweet and tasty the apple is. Savour it. Live in the moment, don't worry about what MIGHT happen, it almost certainly will not.
Pets. Buying a dog helped me enormously. There is something unbelievably relaxing about having a pet. They love you unconditionally and are always willing to cheer you up when you are down. I found that walking my dog on a daily basis made me believe that I am actually a healthy person and that my heart is not going to just stop at any given moment.
Creative visualisation. Almost every self help book I have ever read and I have read a few, boils down to the same thing. Creative visualisation. There is an excellent book called Psycho Cybernnetics in which the author describes exactly how this works on the brain. It boils down to this; mental practice is very nearly as good as actual practice. So if going to the supermarket terrifies you (it did me for a long time), then visualise yourself going to the supermarket and being calm. Imagine yourself chatting idly with the checkout man/woman while you are paying. Imagine it ten times a day every day for a week then try actually going to the supermarket, start by buying just an item or two, pay and leave. Keep up the mental practice, then go in and but a few more things. ALWAYS start with baby steps, just buying an item or two to prove to yourself that you can do it.
More to follow
I'm not sure if there's already been a thread on this (probably has) but I'll start this anyway. I'm going to compile a list of things that have helped me over the last nine years and if anyone wants to contribute to the list they can. Maybe we'll give each other a few ideas in the process.
Swimming. There is something calming about water. Just floating in the water on your back feels calming. Try it. Then try swimming, focus on the far side of the pool and take long steady breast strokes, focusing on each stroke as you do so. This helps to develop focus and helps you live in the moment rather than worrying about events that will not happen.
Eating something delicious. Again this is a great way of focusing your mind instead of thinking about catastrophic events that will not happen. I find it good to take a succulent green apple or a lovely peach with me if I'm going anywhere that might make me anxious like a train journey or bus journey. If you feel anxiety coming on, take a bite of the apple, close your eyes an focus on how sweet and tasty the apple is. Savour it. Live in the moment, don't worry about what MIGHT happen, it almost certainly will not.
Pets. Buying a dog helped me enormously. There is something unbelievably relaxing about having a pet. They love you unconditionally and are always willing to cheer you up when you are down. I found that walking my dog on a daily basis made me believe that I am actually a healthy person and that my heart is not going to just stop at any given moment.
Creative visualisation. Almost every self help book I have ever read and I have read a few, boils down to the same thing. Creative visualisation. There is an excellent book called Psycho Cybernnetics in which the author describes exactly how this works on the brain. It boils down to this; mental practice is very nearly as good as actual practice. So if going to the supermarket terrifies you (it did me for a long time), then visualise yourself going to the supermarket and being calm. Imagine yourself chatting idly with the checkout man/woman while you are paying. Imagine it ten times a day every day for a week then try actually going to the supermarket, start by buying just an item or two, pay and leave. Keep up the mental practice, then go in and but a few more things. ALWAYS start with baby steps, just buying an item or two to prove to yourself that you can do it.
More to follow