Calming down...

I still struggle with this but the key word is DISTRACTION! If I am at home I will do anything I can to get my mind off the anxiety - watch TV, computer, PLAY with kids (and I mean really play like games, cards, outside), have my husband hold me really close (this is a FAVORITE!!), do something for someone else (like write a letter, make dinner for family, shop for a gift) b/c sometimes if I focus on someone else I stop thinking about me for a moment, but number one I have positive self talk - turn all the negative into positive - I am safe, I am okay, it is okay to be anxious, I know that this is just panic, it won't hurt me, I am my safe person, etc. I also do have some very mild relaxation type tapes I have used (but I don't relax well and I need to work on this!).

I would love to hear what other people do - my biggest problem is when I am out in public and have a harder time distracting myself. The only thing I have found then is to try to strike up conversations if I can focus on them. Good luck - I hope you find something that helps you.

Blessings,
Leah

Hi Coltsfan,   I also listen to music to hel me calm down.  I also have a couple of hobbies that help distract me - sewing and gardening and they usually help me to calm down, that is if I can even get to the point of getting started on them.  Sometimes that's even a problem for me.  But when I can't get motivated to do them I either listen to music and or watch TV.  Hope this helps.   Take care, Wen

My personal favorite is the Dave Matthews Band - all of their music.  Just love it and it helps to calm me.  Even though it's not good for the ears (usually use headphones), I crank it as I'm trying to drown out the rest of the world.  Just my 2 cents worth.   Wen

I do a few thing. Most are just person preference, but i think its the idea that is what is helpful:

1. If i feel bad on a weekend or week night I try and ride my bicycle. The work out seems to get the extra endophine / adrenaline out of my system. It also makes me focus. I cant think about things when i'm riding, i have to watch the road. Once i get to a certain area, i try and ride on a painted line for as long as possible, again making me focus on the external not internal.

2. I then take photos of birds. I'm not a bird watcher by any means, but the focusing and capturing the birds again draws me into the present moment.

3. I write! I come on here. I write in my journal.

4. I read my trusty books. I have 2 that i read continuously though tough times. Below is a link to one. It's a long link because its through Amazon, but also the affiliate program for this site, so if you ever decide to get it it will help the site a little. My Doctor told me about it and it seriously was a life saver. If you're a reader, check it out, or not... I dont want to sound like i'm peddling this book... It just helped me :)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/089486971X/ref=nosim/crohnsdiseaseweb?SubscriptionId=09FVDRT8TEJ64C2A7Y02
The second book is more on meditation, and some people dont dig that stuff. If you want to info, just let me know.

5. I give myself permission to do whatever it is that makes me happy. A friend recommended this and it helped a lot. One day i was feeling pretty bad and he said "you like taking pictures of birds right? go do that". It was really hard because i wanted to retreat into my apartment, the grips of anxiety were tight, but i made myself go and it broke the grip a bit.

6. I try and invite it in. Sounds backwards but it works. "bring it on, I'm not afraid of this! This will not control me or my life! I'm here! Come get me" I usually say that stuff to myself when i wake up with a lot of anxiety in the middle of the night. Most of the time i pass right back out. It has to be genuine, you really have to believe that. And its true, but take a long time to believe, especially when it feels like the anxiety or panic is coming without a trigger. I know this sounds funky, but fear is the fuel to this stuff, and "stinkin' thinkin' (i still love that)" really is like a giant fan, leaving us to feel helpless. You never are, we're always here, you will always make it.

7. This is the hardest for me. But realize that the path to recovery or recovery itself can be a very long. A lot of time may pass and than out of the blue you may have a panic attack and start thinking you're back to the beginning. The thing is, you never are. Life is constantly moving forward, and so you. You may feel "stuck", but it will pass. There are some setbacks, some bumps a long the way, but always remember you'll make it through...

Breathe easy my friend_
dan