In the second of my series about handling anxiety (to get the first article check here). I’m going to show you how to prepare for when anxiety strikes.
If you have seen my first article Anxiety – Top Tips for Instant Relief you will now know exactly what anxiety is and how it works in the body!
Armed with that knowledge, we can look at how we can reduce the effects of anxiety when we know it is more likely to strike.
Preparation and Knowledge are the antidote to anxiety. By learning more about anxiety, which you have already done, you will be better equipped to make preparations and pre-empt situations which may make you feel anxious.
How do we do this? We need to examine when we are likely to feel anxious. Ask yourself these questions…
- In which setting does the anxiety take place?
- What do I feel in my body?
- Is there any evidence to support my anxiety?
- How can I minimise my exposure or mentally or physically prepare myself?
- MOST IMPORTANT! – Report back – how did it go?
Now, let’s run through using an example with answers…
- In which setting does the anxiety take place?
When I am in a supermarket
- What do I feel in my body?
My stomach feels fluttery and my breath is short
- Is there any evidence to support my anxiety?
There are often large crowds and loud noises which make me nervous and anxious
- How can I minimise my exposure or mentally or physically prepare myself?
I could look at shopping online. I could try and shop at a quieter time. I could go shopping with my friend or partner. I could think ahead and make sure I breathe beforehand and during the shop. I could treat myself at the end if I make it
- MOST IMPORTANT! – Report back – how did it go?
REPORT – I checked online for the quieter times and made a list so that I could be faster once inside. I practised breathing before I went in the shop and a couple of times whilst I was inside. I checked in with myself 4 or 5 times. At the end of the shop, I bought myself a chocolate bar and congratulated myself.
Try this method and add your own details. The best thing about it is you can re-use it for different instances of anxiety!
Subscribe to my website to see more tips as they are released!
Sarah Terry is a School Counsellor and Author who works in Central England. Her interests include Counselling and Psychology, Personality Types, Jogging and Yoga and Meditation. Find out more here
If you like what you see, please hit the “follow” button, or for non WordPress peeps, insert your email address over on the right for article alerts.
Please leave me a comment below or contact me directly.
You can also see what I’m up to on Twitter and Facebook and follow my books on Goodreads or Amazon
If you liked this article, here are some more you might be interested in…
Anxiety – Top Tips for Instant relief
Please take a second to check out my book on Amazon now! It’s free to Amazon prime members!
Connect with me here
