Need to be more connected to my feelings

I recently joined a book study group and we're reading a book on Budhist teachings (great for "be in the present" practice!) and the Budhist teacher who wrote the book talks about how fear/anxiety start with feelings of sadness. I looked back in my own history and thought, maybe, there were issues of sadness around the times I experienced strong, generalized anxiety I couldn't shake: loss of a friend, loss of a dear pet; loss of a certain way of life... Although, I personally feel that there is also a physical element involved in repeated anxiety attacks: that some people's make-up may make them pre-disposed towards it, that there are certain triggers like stress hormones, certain drugs, foods, etc..., because with some of my anxious/jittery times, I wasn't necessarily concerned about anything in particular, my body just went "hay wire" like it was constantly fearing something. But,... it is something to think about. I know it's important when sadness occurs to acknowledge it and allow ourselves plenty of grieve time. I'm certainly going to try to be more aware of this possible connection (we're always trying to figure this mystery out, aren't we?!)

Incidently, I'm the member who mentioned "L Theanine". I'd like to ask that if anyone does try this supplement that they post if they felt it was helpful or not. Keep in mind, if you're also taking medications along with it, it might not have the same effect - or maybe it will - I don't know, I'm not a doctor But, when I first took it, it took one full day of taking 1 to 2 capsules every 4 hours before I began feeling relief.

Cheers

Hey Charlisa,

It's a good point about the sadness thing. But I wouldn't limit it to just sadness. There are a lot of different emotions (anger, frustration, loss, despair, etc.) that may not have been allowed full emotional expression and end up coming out in a physical way. Personally I put a ton of pressure on myself and self-blame. I handled (ignored) it for years, but eventually suppressing those emotions and not addressing them my body cried out for help. I see my anxiety and panic as my body's way of saying "Hey... pay attention to me!" By working through our emotions we can lessen our body's need to cry out. That's why counseling benefits so many people.

Before I was on psychotropics I used theanine and some other herbal and natural approaches. I only took theanine specifically in the form of tea (2x/day) and it did provide a mild calming effect. I never tried it in pill form which would obviously be a higher dose.

I don't know. That's a good question. I know that sometimes the nutrients found in food produce a better nutritional benefit when eaten whole as opposed to isolated in pill form because the different nutrients blend together in a way that they feed off of each other. So not that I know, but even though I usually go for decaf tea/coffee maybe having caffeinated tea along with things such as the theanine and EGCG found in tea would be a better option.....