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This ebook has been written to provide information to help you manage
and deal with anxiety disorders. The author is not a trained practitioner.
Opinions and thoughts are those of the author, and should not substitute
the advice and treatment of a Medical Practitioner. Every effort has been
made to make this information as complete and accurate as possible.
However, there may be mistakes in typography or content.
The purpose of this ebook is to educate. The author does not warrant
that the information contained in this ebook is fully complete and shall
not be responsible for any errors or omissions.
The author shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or
entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be
caused directly or indirectly by this ebook.
Hi,
I am here to share with you of how I found my way to the inner peace,
calm, happiness and success, which is my life today.
A couple of years back, I decided it was time to take action and set
about seeking all the information I could gather, and put together my set
of techniques and thought processes, that has completely changed my
life around. Rather than the anxiety and doom of the past my life now is
full of joy and hope.
Loretta
Table of Contents
Introduction.Page 5
Keep reading
What is Anxiety?
I thought that my mind, or at least one half of it, was its own
being. This part of my mind took control over my weakling
rational part of my brain.
Our minds are the same. Except dare I say that training our
mind to practice positive habits is not as hard as training to be
an Olympian.
Now, one thing that I did for many years, thinking it was the
best thing for me to do was to practice avoidance. Not a good
idea.
I made every effort to avoid and save myself from any situation
or event I could that may lead to stress and anxiety.
Chances are that you do not have a lot of faith in yourself right
now.
Lack of confidence and self doubt is a major component of
anxiety.
Fear of failurefear of being judged and compared, all
contributes.
We then start to fear the way we cope, or rather dont cope with
situations, and then the cycle of fear and anxiety keeps turning.
First of all, tell yourself, preferably out loud as you are writing it
down. (This is one of a few of my methods that I suggest you
try it alone, or at least not in the presence of persons over 2
years oldyou may get some strange looks)
I AM STRONG
I AM WORTHY
I AM ABLE
I WILL SUCCEED
Look at it as a form of self brain-washing. The more you say
it, hear it and see it, the more you will believe it. Believing in
yourself will become a habit that you will not want to kick.
That Happy Place
Look around and think hard. You will always find something
that you can treasure.
I know it is not easy, but we must learn to let go of the past, and
not dwell on things that we cannot change or control in the
future.
I have been guilty of lying in bed at night, letting myself get into
a panicked state, worrying about something I said or did
months or years back, and what effect that may or may not
have at some time in the future.
I looked around and could not understand what was wrong with
all these other people waiting. Didnt they know the situation
was so serious and dire? How can they be waiting happily
relaxed and smiling, while my world is under threat?
For you see, I was running life threatening late, I had to hand
over some of the money I was looking at in my wallet to pay for
my groceries, and there was a multitude of other major
catastrophes about to happen.
With no doubt with the look of a crazy woman I looked at the
woman behind me with a baby in a trolley.
She returned a serene smile, and then the baby turned around,
looked at me and he gave me the most glorious heart melting
smile.
I realized that there was nothing I was actually running late for.
The money I was spending would not cause my family into
bankruptcy, and as far as I could fathom, the world would not
stop turning.
Apart from the fact that it was difficult to have a photo on hand
at all times, I decided to use something that I could wear as a
substitute. I found a rubber wrist band, decided that will be my
thought reminder or trigger and away I went.
I still wear it, only now I have one the same as the ones I am
giving away as gifts (with my full length book version.coming
soon).and it still works for me. Except now its more of a
reminder of how far I have come and how much further I am
able to go.
The band does not have magical or mystical properties. The
magic comes from within your mind. And that magic is real and
works. For the sceptics.there is a more scientific
explanation:
an outside stimuli can trigger changes in the firing rate of neurons in a
way that changes the flow of information between different parts of the
brain and alters ones perceptions
Run your finger over the letters CALM. With practice, your mind
will start to associate positive, rational, and calming thoughts
with the wrist band.
Look and or touch the band to jog your thoughts into changing
direction.
Have you ever noticed how the written word is way more
tangible and absolute that if we just think about facts.
Writing, reading and reading out loud all contribute to our brain
absorbing information.
Now the fun part is writing down your achievements. You need
to do this daily. If you are thinking this sounds like all too much
work
remember this is the investment, the path to a happier you. It
will be worth it!
I was not one of them, and I am surmising that you are not
either.
It got to the stage that I really did not know how or want to go
on.
It just got all too hard.
But I was a wife, mother and grandmother (no prizes for world
best in any of these categories).I had responsibilities.
Now, this did not happen overnight, but I started looking back
on past positive people and happenings in my life, and realized
that there was usually some event or situation that I thought
was not ideal at the time: that lead me to finding more positive
outcomes in my life.
If I had not lost my job and was unable to find another, I would
not be here today talking to you today and living a life that I
have only dreamed of.
Thinking this way opens your mind to see new things and gives
clarity to your situation.
You have probably heard or been told that exercise will make
you feel better, healthy body healthy mind and so-on.
The next two chapters are about where we can have some fun.
Some of you might think these methods just downright strange
but bear with me. It can work wonders.
You might think this is all a bit strange and if you do, you will
find this next idea even stranger. But hey, its worth a try.
Try acting the part of the counsellor. If you feel your anxiety
building, put your rational hat on and ask yourself (out loud or in
writing) questions that force you to stop and focus on the reality
of the present.
Questions such as
It felt strange, but so good. It felt like my entire mood lifted, and
even when my composure was returned, I still had an overall
sense of well-being.
Now I know there can be times in our lives that there seems to
be nothing to laugh about. The stresses of our personal lives
as well as the unpleasant happenings around the world can
darken our lives.
However, to be our best, we need to find those things that
make us happy, and tickle our fancy.so to speak. Even if we
cannot find that something that brings on that great big belly
laugh; even an authentic happy smile can make all the
difference to our outlook on life.
1. Fear of failure
2. Fear of rejection
3. Fear of being judged and
4. Feeling of not being good enough or worthy.
Having fun will not always come easy or instant, but having the
occasional laugh and good times will gradually change your
mindset to be more positive.
We all know people that sail through lifes ups and downs
without a worry in the world. And we all know people that
tend to be a bit more tentative and wary of lifes challenges.
But I can promise you that if you take the time to practice any
or all of these concepts I have shared with you.you will
experience at least small periods of increased calm and a
sense of well-being.
However, the good news is you can begin to break through the
darkness and fog and find sunshine and peace in your life.
You just need to have the wish and determination to take back
control of your life and thoughts.
Believe me; I still worry about more than I should. I dont
expect that to change. That is just the person I am. However I
no longer suffer from the crippling anxiety I once lived with. I
no longer live in constant fear of scenarios that may never
happen, nor live in fear of how I will cope.
This noise keeps building until the mind and body goes into
meltdown.
But remember, most importantly, you are not alone. You are
worthy of empathy and understanding and you will not be
judged. There is no shame.only courage in seeking help.
There are others that understand what you are going through
and there is support.
If you find yourself overwhelmed, desperate, or without
hope.reach out for help.
There is your GP, counselling groups, phone Help Lines, some
great Facebook support groups and many others that can offer
you support.