Anxiety Help: Quick and Effective Strategies for Coping

Anxiety Help: Quick and Effective Strategies for Coping

Welcome to an article that holds the key to finding anxiety help and calming your anxious mind. As someone who has personally experienced the grip of anxiety and as a therapist who has helped countless individuals find solace, I am here to guide you on this transformative journey towards inner peace. In the following sections, we will explore effective strategies and personal anecdotes that will illuminate the path ahead.

Understanding Anxiety: A Personal Encounter

My Struggle with Anxiety

Let me begin by sharing a personal anecdote. As a child I found myself caught in the relentless grip of anxiety. Racing thoughts, a pounding heart, and a constant sense of dread became my unwelcome companions. It was then that I realized firsthand the toll anxiety can take on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Through my own journey, I discovered that the secret to anxiety help and calming an anxious mind lies in a multi-faceted approach.

Pattern Interrupt Techniques.

Pattern interrupt techniques are powerful tools for managing anxiety and regaining control over our thoughts and emotions. By interrupting repetitive and negative patterns of thinking, these techniques can help break the cycle of anxiety and bring about a sense of calm and clarity. Let’s explore some of the best pattern interrupt techniques for anxiety:

·  Thought Stopping: Thought stopping is a technique used to interrupt and redirect intrusive and anxious thoughts. When you notice a negative or anxious thought arising, mentally shout “Stop!” or imagine a red stop sign. This sudden interruption disrupts the flow of the thought and allows you to consciously replace it with a more positive or calming thought. Repeat this process as needed to break the pattern of anxious thinking.

·  Physical Movement: Engaging in physical movement can be an effective pattern interrupt technique for anxiety. Whether it’s going for a brisk walk, doing yoga, dancing, or participating in any form of exercise, the act of moving your body helps shift your focus away from anxious thoughts and activates the release of endorphins, which promote feelings of well-being and relaxation.

Incorporate these techniques into your daily routine and use them as tools to interrupt patterns of anxious thinking whenever they arise. With practice and consistency, you can gain better control over your anxiety and experience a greater sense of calm and well-being.

The Art of Mindful Awareness

One of the most effective tools in our arsenal against anxiety is the practice of mindfulness. By cultivating mindful awareness, we learn to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment, anchoring ourselves in the present moment. I vividly recall a client, Sarah, who struggled with debilitating anxiety. Together, we embarked on a journey of mindfulness, integrating simple yet powerful techniques into her daily routine. Over time, she discovered the immense power of redirecting her attention to the present, finding anxiety help and respite from the overwhelming worries of the past and the uncertain future.

Cultivating the Habit of Mindful Living

To embrace mindfulness and find anxiety help, we can start with small, intentional steps. Incorporating short moments of stillness into our day, engaging in mindful breathing exercises, or taking a mindful walk in nature can all serve as anchors to the present moment. By consciously redirecting our attention away from anxious thoughts and towards the richness of our immediate experience, we begin to break free from the shackles of anxiety.

The Power of Cognitive Restructuring

Negative thoughts often fuel the flames of anxiety, imprisoning us in a cycle of fear and self-doubt. Yet, we possess the ability to challenge and reframe these thoughts, opening the door to a more empowering perspective. Let me share the story of Alex, a client who constantly berated himself with thoughts of failure and inadequacy. Through cognitive restructuring exercises, he gradually unearthed the deep-rooted beliefs that fed his anxiety. With compassionate guidance, we worked together to replace these self-defeating thoughts with positive and realistic affirmations, fostering a newfound sense of self-worth and resilience.

Shifting Perspectives: A Mindful Journey

In addition to cognitive restructuring, the practice of mindfulness can serve as a powerful catalyst for shifting perspectives. By observing our thoughts from a place of non-judgmental awareness, we gain a fresh vantage point, untangling ourselves from the grip of anxious thinking patterns. I often encourage my clients to approach their anxious thoughts with curiosity, asking themselves, “Is this thought helpful or true?” This gentle inquiry enables them to challenge the validity of their fears and open up space for more balanced and compassionate perspectives.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the journey towards calming your anxious mind and finding anxiety help is multifaceted. By embracing mindfulness, rewiring negative thoughts, nurturing self-care, and seeking support, you can navigate through the challenges of anxiety and cultivate inner peace. Remember, you have the power to unlock the secret to a calmer mind and a brighter future. Take the first step, reach out for help, and believe in your ability to overcome anxiety’s grip. The path ahead may not always be easy, but with determination and the right support, you can find the peace and freedom you deserve.

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Helping You to Understand Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Helping You to Understand Anxiety and Panic Attacks

First published May 22, 2013

Over the last few weeks and months I’ve seen a big increase though my therapy practise of people suffering anxiety or panic attacks.

A lot of people complain of very similar symptoms such as racing heart beat and a feeling on being on edge all of the time among other things.

So what happening to cause people to feel like this?

First of all it will be more than likely start with something internally like negative dialog, which will create a picture in the mind. These two things together then create or start the process of creating a negative and most unwelcome feeling.

So the process starts at a neurological level in the brain.  It could be argued that anxiety itself is its own neurological symptom. After all, anxiety can change neurotransmitter levels in your brain causing them to send unusual signals to the rest of your body that  actually effect all your nervous systems and causes real sensations/symptoms.

The forebrain is the area most affected in people with anxiety and panic attacks disorders. The limbic system, which is involved in storing memories and creating emotions, is also thought to play a central role in processing all anxiety-related information. Both the locus coeruleus and the dorsal raphe project to the septohippocampal circuit, which in turn projects to other areas of the limbic system that mediate anxiety. The hippocampus and amygdala are of particular importance, as they are interconnected and also project to both subcortical and cortical nuclei. The amygdala fires off the fight, flight or freeze reaction in the brain then floods the body with adenine. It is the increased activity of the amygdala that causes the symptoms of anxiety and panic. It acually happens like this freeze, fight or flight.

Normally after each anxiety event, the amygdala resets itself to a normal level. But if we continue to experience anxiety or stress over a long period of time, our amygdala is modified and becomes fixed at a high anxiety level. In other words it is in the on position and needs to be switched off.

So it is a very real problem for some people. I think that a panic attack is anxiety but a much stronger reaction, anxiety that has been allowed to grow and become somewhat out of control. A friend who was a nurse in A&E in a local hospital said that 99% of people admitted to hospital who think they are having a heart attack are actually experiencing a panic attack

Anxiety and panic attacks can be cause by increased stress and inadequate coping mechanisms may contribute to anxiety.

One of the best ways to help yourself is to try deep breathing exercise every day for around 10 – 15 minutes at time.

How to do Deep Breathing Exercises:

  1. Find somewhere comfortable where you will not be disturbed during the exercise, if necessary tell who you live with family etc than you don’t want to be disturbed and to be considerate to your needs.
  2. Lie down or sit in a comfy chair, place your hands on your lower stomach. Breathe in through your nose so that your stomach rises, this mean than you will be breathing from the bottom of the lungs not the top. Hold the breath for a couple of seconds then slowly breathe out.
  3. Repeat these 3 or 4 times then allow your breathing to go back to normal.
  4. Concentrate on different parts of the body allowing these to relax one by one starting with the top of your head and working all the way down to the tips of your toes. Image you are in a wonderfully relaxing a safe place, I like to think of myself lying on a beach sunbathing.
  5. Just allow yourself 10 to 15 minutes of relaxing this way every day making part of your lifestyle. Try not to fall asleep as relaxation is different to sleep so you don’t want to associate relaxing with going to sleep although you may find it hard not too drop off at first.

If you feel you need a little more help then please contact me via the website or the office telephone number. www.blhypnotherapy.co.uk or contact me HERE

I am available for one to one or Skype (adam.cowming) therapy sessions if you can’t get to my office in person.

Regards

Adam