At times anxiety hits me right in the chest, no warnings or a heads up. In the middle of the night, when I wake in the morning or sometime during my productive day.
Anxiety, you are nothing but a coward.
For years, I allowed you to govern my feelings. Survival resulted with the help of drugs and lots of alcohol. It was debilitating.
I wanted more, I wanted a gratifying, worthwhile life. One that allowed me to be authentic to Michele.
With grit, grace, and uphill battle, I found her. Today, I still have my moments of anxiety. It shows up as nervousness, apprehension, doubt or in other disguises. The difference now, I know how to control the symptoms.
- Slow steady breaths, slows the rapid heart beats
- Exercise, get my body moving
- Limited alcohol, a depressant
- Journaling , write out your feelings
- Meditation, take a moment to quiet your mind
- Stay on my routine
I am in command of my anxiety. I have built my toolbox to recognize the symptoms. Then, I use the system listed above to extinguish my anxiety.
PSA! I am not against prescribed medication. I encourage it under an excellent doctor's care. That is how I started my journey and this is the path I am traveling now.
