From: Cynthia Ashley
ìItís not how hard you try, itís how smart you try!î Practice using your ìtoolsî when facing fear. If you havenít learned any, set up an appointment to learn them. Carry with you what you need to cope. No phobic needs to go out the door without a ìbag of tools!î Great joy will come as tools are used to reduce fear. You will learn you CAN handle the imagined danger. You can! The more you resist, the more fear persists. Try this: ìHave you hugged your anxiety today?î Panic leaves the fastest when we make friends with the uncomfortable feelings. Try welcoming fear, let it stay with you. Invite it to follow you all day if it likes! Nothing makes fear leave faster than this! Take a break! Let your muscles go limp, like a rag-doll. Shake everything loose! (See how tight you were holding everything?) Aaah, that breath. Are you breathing? Do a slow, deep abdominal breath on the hour. Remind yourself to breathe slowly. Feel the air get down into your tummy. Slow and Calm. If you are still breathing up in your chest, then set up a session so I can help you learn to breathe correctly. A calming breath done correctly can reduce anxiety. Give yourself permission to recover at your own pace. Accept no pressure from others. It takes time for a flower to grow. All the right elements need to be there for success. Your success will happen in your own time, not in their time.