Overcoming Anxiety Attack Symptoms

Anxiety sucks all the pleasure out of life. It can seem as if you’ll never be able to just enjoy yourself again. If you make a conscious effort to find positive and enjoyable experiences you can start to turn this around.

Don’t wait till happiness comes to you – seek it out.

Think about all the things that used to give you pleasure before you had Anxiety. Some of them •will be too difficult right now because of your Anxiety, but there may be something – a hobby, an interest – that you can still pursue. Tell yourself that you’ll go back to the other things when you’re better, and that in the meantime you’ll enjoy those things you can still do.

Or you may want to try something new – something quieter and less challenging perhaps than your previous activities. Again you can always promise yourself you’ll go back to your old interests when you’re better. There are some things that are good for all of us. Try to find away of giving yourself something out of each of the following categories.

The Value Of Laughter

Research has showed that laughing is good for us, both mentally and physically. Mentally, it releases chemicals in the brain that make us feel happier, and physically it frees up muscle tension. There is even some evidence that you don’t have to actually be amused to benefit – just laughing for no reason can be beneficial. There are laughter groups where people meet just to practice laughing.

It’s easier though if you find something genuinely funny. Humor is all around us, all you have to do is plug into it. Choose one or more things from the list and give a few minutes every day to it:

• Watch a funny DVD or TV program.
• Listen to comedy on the radio, or on a CD.
• Read cartoons, in a newspaper or book.
• Read a humorous novel.
• Find jokes on the internet.

Social contacts

We are social creatures. Isolation isn’t good for us, and yet Anxiety can be a very isolating experience. If it is at all possible for you to socialize with other people, then do so. Seek out those people who you feel most comfortable with and enjoy their company.

If your Anxiety causes you social difficulties then don’t torture yourself by attempting this one – it’s meant to be a pleasure, not a pain.

Get Out Into The Fresh Air

Most of us live in crowded urban environments, and yet we evolved in the wide open spaces of Africa. It’s no wonder that we find cities stressful, and that we benefit from being outside where there is grass and sky.

If you have a garden, spend as much time in it as possible. If you can, go for a walk in a park, or in the open countryside.

When you look at the horizon, your eye muscles are fully relaxed and this helps you to relax your head and neck – this is one reason why most of us enjoy being by the sea. So if you can get somewhere where there is a good view into the distance, go for it.

Pets and Animals

There is evidence that stroking and interacting with a pet has a similar effect to laughing. If you have a pet, spend quality time with it every day. If there are no animals in your household, have any of your friends and family got an obliging cat or dog? Could you offer to help out at your local animal rescue centre?

If your anxiety is in anyway focused on animals, don’t undertake this, although you might want to set goals around it during your recovery.

Some feedback from readers of this blog:

“I like to see humor in everyday situations and I love to laugh and smile.”

Andrew

“Because I know I can listen to music, or go for a run, I won’t sit around letting the anxious thoughts take hold. If I didn’t already have these things in place, I wouldn’t be motivated to do them when I’m feeling anxious. I take part in charity events, and did the Race for Life. Training for these events provides a focus to keep up my fitness. And a great sense of achievement once I had completed them.”

Sarah