When you lose your mind- anxiety rescue:

We all lose our “minds” or our cool or even our happy place from time to time. I experience a numbness or lack of exhilaration from time to time (When I do feel Exhilarated even the odd frustration seems bearable and I float through them like a breeze). When things don’t go well, and I allow negative thoughts and emotions to run the show I am prone to panic or anxiety attacks.

I recently had an anxiety attack (the first one in more than 7 years). I was in the first moments of my panic attack when in my mind and thoughts I knew how to stop it and I actually did succeed in stopping the panic attack as well as move back into my almost calm reality state. Because this was interesting that I was able to turn it around, I thought it a great idea to share how I did it.

First let’s look at how I became panicky and overwhelmed and what lead to the anxiety. Our electricity was off in the east of Pretoria for more than a week, I was planning a solo trip with just my 5-year-old son, to a destination that seemed scary, unknown and of which I heard many scary stories of people being attacked physically, children being kidnapped, and things being stolen. I also am feeling pressure to perform in my business and to grow financially. That day everywhere I went and turned I faced small obstacles, like having to draw money at the ATM because the power is out, and we can’t use card machines or not being able to use my internet because there is no WIFI etc. On any other day I would cope well enough with these obstacles. But this day all the above felt so painful, scary and overwhelming I struggled to remain in control of my thoughts and emotions.

And then it happened, I was struggling to prepare a form of a meal for myself and my child with no electricity, and all these feelings and negativity welling up within me. I first “broke down”- I cried like a little girl. Then I felt my head spinning, heart racing, shortness of breath, I started to hyperventilate and that’s when I realized I am having a genuine panic attack. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I held my breath, breathed out slowly, inhaled again deeply. Told myself to stop focusing on negatives- all will be okay again soon. Next, I shifted my thoughts and attention back to what I was busy with (focusing on the present) and as suddenly as I was having this panic attack it went away.

Stop Panic Attacks:

1. Don’t scare yourself- stop thinking about the future or what can go wrong in the future by focussing on the present moment.

2. Breath slowly and deeply

3. Slow down, try to relax your muscles.

4. Think logically (don’t focus on emotions)

5. Think positive thoughts (I am going to be okay)

We all lose our minds from time to time and although it is not a favorable space to be in, realize that it’s okay to lose your mind, you will find it again. If you suffer from anxiety attacks frequently please seek out professional help. Because there is many factors that contribute to these especially but not only stress and being over whelmed.

Keep Improving

The Ameliorate Team

#panic; #anxiety; #Thoughts; #Emotions; #Stress; #SelfDevelopment