Although I like to think I am "on the mend", I still have odd moments of anxiety/panic.
Here are two new tips I have discovered for myself recently:
1) I can't remember where the quote came from (possibly "Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy"?) but one of the characters said, "flying is easy - you just throw yourself at the ground, and miss!"
Well I find it's a bit like that with panic. When I encounter a tricky situation, a split second before I have feelings of panic/palpitations, etc, I sort of "brace myself" mentally for the event which is going to trigger some sort of reaction. I feel somehow, that by preparing myself mentally, I am getting ready for the stressful situation.
Here's my tip - DONT BRACE YOURSELF! - mentally or physically! The "bracing" process seems to be what triggers the F or F response which causes the panic. By stopping this process, and "going with the flow" of the stressful situation, palpitations, and feelings of panic just don't happen!
2) I have also found that by facing up to a situation which I know causes me panic, I lose my fear of that situation.
But here's the bonus, every little victory over a panic "trigger situation" also makes me feel stronger and more confident in other, unrelated situations!
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