Anxiety, Panic & Phobias

At least, this worked for me several times yesterday when I was super anxious and afraid I would have a panic attack.... I've never had a panic attack without having a rapid heart beat, so I just kept my hand on my chest and concentrated on nothing else, but trying to slow my heart rate down..breathing slow, imagining myself somewhere else, whatever seemed to help slow it down I kept doing that.  Once it slowed down, I noticed my anxiety had diminished greatly.............Wonder if that's ever helped anyone else

It has for me, but in a different way. I get my panic attacks while driving. So I focus on a sign about a mile ahead & repeat it to myself (name of street, name of street, etc) until I reach the sign.

This takes my mind from future & past, it brings me to the present & the present only. By repeating a phrase I'm forcing my breath to slow down & to take deeper breaths.

I've been reading & I've been doing some podcasts with zencast and a common recommendation to decrease the intensity of anxiety is by learning to live in the present. Living in the present requires using your senses and noticing your heart beat is using your senses.

So I try not to 'think' while driving, but rather 'experience' my drive. To 'slow down & smell the roses' :-)

So if you're noticing a place in your life where the attacks come more frequently, maybe you can start off by walking into the situation appreciating what your five senses have to offer rather than reliving the past or predicting the future.

It's tough, it's easy to slip into thought, but with practice it will get easier.

Peace