New Here:) We're all in this together...please say Hello!

[meditation girl]

Hey Everyone:) new to the forum! Years ago I had bad anxiety and panics attacks. I have spent the last 15 years completely transforming my life experience in a very positive way. I have found that taking simple steps in many areas of one's life can help tremendously! Would be happy to get a dialogue going. If you've found your way to this site... I'd say you're off to a good start, right?... Deep Breath:)

Hope to hear from some of you.

[SarahBear]

Hi meditation girl! I just recently posted to introduce myself. I am also new here. I would love to hear some tips and steps you have taken to help with your anxiety. Mine has recently gotten much worse over the past two or three years and even worse over the past couple of months. My doctor prescribed me some medications today. Ironically enough, I am anxious about taking anxiety medications! I used to try to ignore and downplay my anxiety and hope that it was a phase that would eventually go away because I didn't want to be pinned with that title or have people think I am "blowing things out of proportion" or that "it was all in my head." I now have accepted it and am hoping that I could get some encouraging information from people like you who have found ways to get it under control.

[Kirk]

Welcome to the forum. SarahBear is correct in that acceptance of your anxiety is key in overcoming it.

[meditation girl]

Hi Sarah Bear! Thanks for saying hello:) I actually totally get being anxious about anxiety medications! I definitely think there are many ways to deal with anxiety, some people may need medication and others may be able to use other tools and practices and be okay without it, in either case it is really about honoring yourself and exploring what feels right for you. Good for you for embracing your experience here. One important thing I have learned is that emotions, including anxiety are information. If we are willing to look deeper into the foundation of our emotional experience, rather than run from it, we begin to learn things about ourselves and then the emotions can move because they have served their purpose. This is a journey... but it can be a very positive one. As far as a starting place, Breathing is SOOO important. Really paying attention to your breath can be very powerful. Also, what is your diet like? may sound funny but by eliminating things like caffeine and alcohol and a few other things can make a big difference.

[meditation girl]

Thank you Kirk. I agree completely

[KittenTrans]

Hi and welcome :)

I totally agree that diet can have a big impact, Caffeine is a big one. Once I eliminated that from my diet my anxiety decreased significantly. Also daily exercise is a major positive.

[SarahBear]

Hi everyone! Thanks for the input Meditation girl. I have a fairly healthy diet. Sometimes I forget to eat and have a loss of appetite because of an anxious mood so I could probably stand to eat more and more frequently. I limit myself on caffeine. I usually only have one cup of coffee a day. Cutting back on alcohol and and increasing exercise is something I definitely plan to do! I need to work on breathing techniques. Sometimes what I have an attack, I feel as though I can't catch my breath and I get very dizzy to the point where I'm afraid I will faint. One thing I have noticed that helps a little is if I sit down and put my head between my legs. I know this is going to be a journey in overcoming this but I plan to stay positive and find out what works for me!

[meditation girl]

Hi KittenTrans! Nice to meet you. Absolutely... I have found that daily exercise even something gentle like a walk or stretching is very helpful:)

[meditation girl]

Hi Everyone...Hi SarahBear, Love your positivity! Eating slow cooked foods like root vegetables can actually be grounding, which I have experienced helps with offsetting anxiety. It's scary to not be able to catch one's breath. I agree your technique sitting down with your head between your legs is helpful. If you are still open for another tip, I would like to share this with you. When you are feeling good take a moment to sit and bring awareness into your regular gentle breathing. Sometimes I even put my hands on my heart and just breathe and enjoy the stillness. You may still be aware of that underlying anxious feeling, but that's okay. I am telling you guys... this can be very powerful! When we practice these things in moments when we feel good, we begin to feel stronger emotionally. Then we can implement them when we're not feeling so good and it can be a very big step towards a new beginning:) hope you're all having a beautiful day!