November 2014

From Barry McDonagh. Really is this simple, even though you need to do it over and over to get used to it. Also stops depression, because they're pretty much the same condition. "Here are three simple steps you can use to end your anxiety. This only takes a few minutes to do but can rapidly transform how you experience anxiety and panic attacks. 1. Defuse Anxiety is driven by a simple question we ask ourselves, “what if?”. What if I am going crazy? What if I have a panic attack? What if I get anxious in this situation? Defuse anxiety before it escalates by answering those ‘what if’ questions with a strong response. “So what, -whatever, -who cares!” are the most powerful replies you can make in response to any anxious thought. They cut the fuel that anxiety lives off and stop any further escalation of anxiety or panic. 2. Allow Then allow the anxiety to manifest whatever way it wishes. Do not try to suppress it or to fight it off. Let it in and learn to sit with it all day. Allow the anxious discomfort to constantly rise and fall within you like waves on an ocean. Remind yourself it is just a feeling and this feeling will not harm you. When done correctly, anxiety will quickly dissipate, not because you forced it away but because you did nothing to keep it present. 3. Engage Lastly, place your attention back on life again. Focus on the things around you that hold your attention e.g. engage in a conversation, read a book or go for a walk. Get out of your head and connect with life again. The less time you spend in your head worrying about how you are feeling and the more time you focus on life, the quicker you recover. If another wave of anxiety rises up just then repeat the steps over again. Those are the three simple steps to end anxiety fast. Defuse, allow, and engage."

I love Van Halen, but is there a worse song, anywhere, than When It's Love?