A few days ago the world ‘celebrated’ International Panic Day.  So really, if you must take one day a year and indulge in panic, now’s the time!  Or maybe you’d rather not.  Maybe you just don’t know how to stop reacting to stressful situations in the same way you always have.  If the methods you’ve been using have been making the problem worse, not better, these steps will help.

Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective, is a text by Beck, Greenberg, and Emery which offers helpful advice on practical steps you can take to overcome panic.  Today I will outline some steps in Dr. Claire Weeks book Peace From Nervous Suffering.

Face It

Face your feelings and the fact that you are not dying…you just have large amounts of adrenaline running through your veins.  Ok, and thoughts like “Am I going crazy?” running through your mind.  Separate the truth from the fear by asking yourself “SO WHAT?!” instead of “What if?”

Let It Pass Through

This step may be difficult but practice makes perfect, just like learning to tie your shoes.  Allow the fearful thoughts to pass through you and ‘float’ past.  The urge is to run away and not allow yourself to feel them.  You can do this.

Don’t Fight

Let time pass.  Panic attacks are associated with adrenaline being dumped into your body.  When you fight fearful thoughts you are telling your body to produce more adrenaline which sets your mind racing.  By allowing the feelings to sweep over you the cycle of fear will start to break.

Let Go

When you have done your all, let go.  You’re not going crazy.  You have simply fallen victim to fear.  Releasing your feelings allows you to move forward and take your eyes off of your percieved threat.

I hope you decide that today is the day to adopt new methods that will equip you with a plan of attack for when panic strikes.  Take care of yourself by taking responsibility for your emotions.  Take care of your heart xo

Please let me know below how you deal with anxiety and how you overcome panic.  Other readers will benefit from your story!

Keep Shining!

Amy

Amy Englemark is a Self Care Expert, unique-like a breath of fresh air in a stressed out, overworked society. She shows people why staying healthy is vital and guides them to establish and maintain positive changes in their lives in a stress-free way! As a dynamic, sought-after speaker, writer and founder of Amy Englemark Coaching, Amy Englemark is passionate about helping people develop guilt free self care choices and create sustainable lifestyle changes.