Pesty Panic Attacks...

Panic attacks are what they are - your body is saying "No!", and sending you a message that deep spiritual work that needs to happen. This is part of what drives your spirit to signal through your sub-conscious mind and your body, that a deep listening needs to occur.

Sometimes our lives are such, that time doesn't permit this to happen, or we use movies, booze, sex, drugs to numb out, and when that temporary fix wears off we are back where we started, anxious and without the skills to be able to look at what is really going on for us. First up, lets look at what do if you are feeling anxious right now, and then what you can do when you have brought your anxiety down a notch or two and you are no longer in panic mode.

​What to do when you feel anxious... 
IF YOU ARE HAVING A PANIC ATTACK:
If you find you are anxious to the point of panic, here is what you can do: 

1. Use distraction - find your feet in your shoes - go there with your attention. Right Now. Feel yourself in the here and now, by finding and feeling your body parts to reassure yourself that you are safe and in your body, even though your body doesn't feel like a safe place right now. 
2. Tell yourself - that it will only last for a few minutes until your adrenalin has been released into your blood.
3. You will survive this - there is no proven evidence of anyone dying of a panic attack.
4. Use your largest muscles to dispel the adrenalin in your blood - that means - walk or run - whatever you are able to do within your environment. If you are on a plane, train or lift, simply squeeze your butt and thigh muscles as tight as you can, then release. Exercise is great for panic and anxiety.
5. Find a distraction e.g. Tetris or Soduku on your phone. Why? Let's face it - its impossible to panic and be distracted by a game that takes your emotional attention away to your logical focus. This is a temporary fix for the immediate term but know that there is work to be done.
6. If you can locate your breath easily, try to extend the out breath by one extra heartbeat. It may take 9 to 10 out breaths, but you will be able to regulate your system to the point of feeling more relaxed.​

Keep a log of your anxiety attacks on your smartphone.

1. How often.
2. When did it happen.
3. How intense was it when it happened on a scale from 0-10.
4. What you were feeling before it happened.
5. What happened.
6. If you follow all the steps in this blog post and you still experience anxiety, its time to book an appointment with your counsellor. 

When you are over the panic attack, here is what you need to do:
When you are feeling fine again, and your anxiety has dropped a notch, start to consider lifestyle changes - food, sleep, diet, alcohol, exercise, work patterns, stress management.

If you find that taking these steps don't help reduce symptoms, then it is time to see your counsellor. That's me!
Sometimes anxiety has deeper roots in your family system, your physiology, your thinking patterns, your life situation or past development or event trauma. That's when you come and see me. Together we can explore this area as I meet you where you are at, shine a light in the dark places so you can discover what is true and doable for you.  I work with you, using a range of tools and techniques, in a respectful, non-judgmental and supportive environment, to build your confidence back up again, until you realise, you don't need to see me anymore because you are doing just fine.