Panic.
Heart racing. Palms sweating. Breathing rapid and shallow. Mouth dry. Knees knocking.
Whether it's a pop quiz, a job interview, a spider, an impromptu speech, a crowded elevator, a dirty restroom, the view from a cliff, a shot at the clinic, a flight across the ocean, a first kiss, or a trip to a crowded shopping center, we all have something that fills us with panic. In severe cases, we can develop anxiety disorders in which panic attacks occur at seemingly random moments.
Whether you have a case of the pre-speech jitters or a full-blown panic attack, the physical symptoms are easily recognized. However, what we need to see clearly are the thoughts going through our mind whenever we feel anxious.
No matter what triggers your personal panic parade-- complete with lively emotions, colorful thoughts, and sizzling sensations--there is one key element that gets the party started.
No, it's not just stress. It isn't your personality type. It's not solely your past memories or the way your mother raised you or your particular physical challenges.
It is simply this: you are lacking in self-esteem.
Okay, now did you automatically start with the "But I am perfectly confident! I am totally competent! I feel just fine about myself!" rebuttal? Ah, good. Watch that.
We just hate it when someone suggests we might not have rock-solid self-esteem, and yet we are pros when it comes to bashing ourselves. Aren't we funny?
We'd rather believe that our anxiety is due to biological factors so we can take a pill to deal with it. But masking panic is not the same as managing panic. If you want to transcend your anxiety, you've got to get to the bottom of it.
The truth is that we only panic about things we don't feel confident handling.
If we don't handle a particular situation well, we dread the next time we must face it. We doubt that we will ever handle it skillfully even if we have done so in the past. We worry about it--and then worry about worrying! Fearful avoidance becomes our new way of responding.
Before we know it, we're stuck in panic purgatory.
Insert mindfulness here. Don't ask for anxiety--ask your anxiety. Focus on the first thought you have when that panic starts bubbling up and gently ask, "Why? Watch...then ask again. Play through several "why" cycles-and learn.
Panic is simply misguided attention. We must learn to watch the ROOT (some element requiring greater self- esteem) instead of the RESULT (all-night panic party) of our anxiety.
Ask your anxiety and listen carefully. Use mindfulness to help you redirect your attention, and you will learn to disconnect that panic button for good.
Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches eyes-wide-open ways to get calm, clear and creative. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, visit http://www.massageyourmind.com
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Top Ten Ways to Reduce Your Stress at Home1. Create... Read More
Think back a few years to the nine coal miners... Read More
Among the hardest parts of living in the modern world... Read More
Meditation, relaxation and visualisation are the standard recommendations for reducing... Read More
There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty... Read More
In the fast-paced world that we live in today, it... Read More
Work related tensions, personal issues and abnormal lifestyles are the... Read More
One of my favorite stories about change is the story... Read More
No need to go spend money at a spa! There... Read More
* Play Romane's stress control seminar recordings, and read "The... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
Managing stress is not easy if you don't have the... Read More
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
A stressless lifestyle? That's very easy to say. Yet it... Read More
Shit happens. I know this to be a fact, because... Read More
Part 1: Recognize the importance of family stress managementJoe and... Read More
When September rolls around, does it generally hit you like... Read More
Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and... Read More
Aromatherapy is very therapeutic when it comes to healing emotional... Read More
This summer, get away, without going away. Take a mini... Read More
If you're like most people, you have your bouts of... Read More
It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More
What do you think of when you see that word?... Read More
Breathing is the vital force of life. It is considered... Read More
Many people go through the motions during Christmas. If not... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..We so often take the feelings of happiness and saddness... Read More
As Montaigne said, "he who fears he will suffer, already... Read More
Marshal John Kruger acted by Arnold Schwarzenegger (who else) in... Read More
Here's a fun little experiment:Take a few seconds and look... Read More
This is the time for daydreaming about your annual vacation.... Read More
26 ways to minimize and manage the unhealthy effects of... Read More
Meditation seems to have arrived in the mainstream of late,... Read More
Every day we are faced with a situation where our... Read More
It is very true that, unfortunately, many people look to... Read More
It was one of the first words you learned to... Read More
Elizabeth, 32, cried during anger management class as she told... Read More
The brain uses feel-good transmitters called endorphins when managing daily... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
Stress is more than just unpleasant. It's dangerous. Try these... Read More
Life would be so wonderful if it weren't for other... Read More
Perhaps you've heard of the 80/20 rule, but don't know... Read More
If you suffer from insomnia of any kind, the chances... Read More
What do you think of when you see that word?... Read More
"Learn how to turn frustration into fascination. You will learn... Read More
Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress... Read More
Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More
These days, when people have become so conscious about what... Read More
One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More
What good is Personal or Business Success...if your Health is... Read More
Don't let stress wear you down. Next time you are... Read More
Stress Management |