What I find is helpful, unconditional love Options

[Ter]

When I feel a sense of anxiety I have found these ideas are helpful. (In addition to re-reading the Panic Away program.
1. I remind myself to love myself unconditionally. It may sound silly but for me it gives me comfort and allows me to accept my feelings. I feel as though I'm safe and it lets me feel good. Whatever thoughts I have I realize are just thoughts and I'll be ok because they are mine, accepted without condition.

2.Another thing that helps me is I try to think of myself like I'm my own pet. I have a pet bird that relies on me for safety and comfort. I picture in my mind the look on my bird's face and eyes when he feels safe and secure. I tell my bird out loud that he is OK all the time and it calms him down. I realized that when I do the same for myself and tell myself "You're OKAY" when I feel anxious it helps me to. I visualize a blanket wrapping around the anxious parts of brain, stomach, even adrenal glands to comfort them when feeling anxious. It helps me. Also I remember I have inside me whatever I need to feel better. It's already there! I just have to believe it.

3.Another thing that helps me is to realize my anxiety is not permanent. I love to garden and in nature there is no permanence, nothing stays the same. When my seeds don't sprout it is just a fact and I can't change it. Likewise when the sun is shining that's a fact and I can't change it. Tomorrow it may be raining, accept the impermanence. Anxious feelings are also NOT permanent. When I accept that then I can be open to the next moment and that moment may or may not have anxious feelings.

4.Another thing that helps may sound strange but I find it helps me. I bought these juggling sticks called luna stix for my niece and nephew. I had fun playing with theirs and I bought a pair for myself. The object of the sticks is to pass this one baton stick back and forth between two other sticks and keep it from hitting the ground. It's kinda like juggling or passing a ball from your one hand to the other. It's hard to explain but the point is that when I play with these sticks I find my mind is FOCUSED on the passing back and forth motion. I 'm not that good at the game but I find that the more I PRACTICE playing the better I get. This helps to remind me to PRACTICE focusing on my breathing and FOCUS on the moment.
Just wanted to share some ideas with you guys and gals. Thanks.

[gi jim]

Nice post,,Thanks for sharing with us,,

[Abe]

I agree, I like to try to learn a new skill whenever I find I have some free time on my hands. I pick stuff I'm not good at like juggling, dancing, shooting baskets, physical stuff that's fun and not stuff on the computer. It keeps me from thinking about all the weird sensations and thoughts I might have. And I also tell myself that I'm ok whenever I start to feel anxiety or panic coming on... "It's all part of anxiety" I tell myself. If i do happen to have free time and something physical isn't an option because it's late or raining or there are people around, then I just do stuff on my to do list.

[Kelley]

That's really great Ter. Thanks for the post! I will try some of these exercises myself. I am a bit like you with nature, i think it is so comforting to just be there with it all and pets are a huge influence too!

Hugs
Kel x

[Jules2009]

It felt wonderful reading your post. I guess loving yourself is the key to hope. Only if you love yourself will you give yourself a chance again and again. Dealing with low self esteem is the first step to achieving a panic/anxiety free life. So true.

Another very valid point that you have made is that practice is the key. We try a lot of other things again and agin before we reach perfection. Then why do we expect the one move technique to work the first time..you are right..we have to be patient and must try again and again before we achieve the target.

Thanks for the post. Felt positive after reading it. Everything seems so achievable. Thanks Ter!!

[LISAUK]

Ter - thanks hun for the post its lovely x