The above has become my mantra. I suffer from severe anxiety. Anxiety is one of those co-existing conditions of fibromyalgia. If I take a moment to realize the fears that are leading to a full-blown panic attack are irrational, I can usually talk myself out of an attack. Usually. Even after 20 years of practice, this is not a given.
If you suffer from anxiety, you must work on three things:
- Knowledge.
- Physical hygiene.
- Mental hygiene.
Knowledge. Doctors, educational articles, and the internet are full of information! Listen, read, and learn. If you are reading informative articles that speak to you, print them out, put them in a binder! Keep a journal! (A journal will be handy when you want to keep track of your physical and mental hygiene progress as well.) Record in your journal the articles you found that day for your binder. What did those articles mean to you?
Physical hygiene. Sorry but yep, exercise. MODERATE exercise, we are not entering any bodybuilding competitions here. Walk. Just walk. Even 15 minutes a day will help you to clear your thoughts. There are days when I can only make it to the end of the block and back. But I go! I usually do shorter walks three times a day. Now, in Minnesota, incremental weather can keep you housebound. So have a backup plan. Pick out two of your favorite songs and just move! Have your own dance party and be silly! Is your pain too severe to move? Sit in a rocker and rock! Those calf muscles push the blood to your heart. While you rock, just focus on your breathing, inhale pulling in your stomach slowly, then exhale, letting your stomach muscles relax. Record your walks, your dance parties, and/or your rocking chair minutes in your journal. Seeing the exercises you have completed will boost your momentum to continue to care for your physical hygiene that meets your needs.
Mental hygiene. What do you say to yourself daily? Are you your biggest cheerleader? No? Start cheering! Find ‘feel good’ quotes and put up around your house. Find your own personal mantra, learn it, and repeat it to yourself often. You must get sleep. Use whatever you need to fall asleep. I listen to thunderstorms on my TV, but I put a blanket over the screen. I have used noise machines, and fans… try things and see what works for you. Tea, warm baths, do whatever routine you find to accomplish restful sleep. If you need medication to get to achieve restful sleep, go get some medication! Sleeping equals healing. Record what works for you in your journal.
Panic Attacks. Sometimes, the anxiety hits fast, and you are in panic attack mode. Stop everything and sit down. Breathe! Tell yourself you’ve been here before, and you made it through. Go someplace else in your mind. Think of your favorite memory, a favorite vacation spot, maybe a place you envision in your dreams to be your safe place. Wherever or whatever it is, go there. Keep telling yourself you will make it through, you will make it through… record panic attacks in your journal and see if you can find a pattern.
Now let’s get real. I had a flare yesterday. Did I go out for a walk? No. I was physically unable. I did take medication for the pain, and I did take medication to help me sleep. Do I do everything I laid out in this blog? No. I do not always do everything. I do make an effort, an attempt. There are days when just surviving is a substantial momentous achievement. You must be proud of these days. Record them in your journal, “I made it through a rough day! I am a Warrior!”
~Kim
See more: Acceptance? Here’s Your Ticket!
Reblogged this on My Inner MishMash and commented:
I think everyone struggling with anxiety should read this post. I think it’s great and can be very helpful.
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I suffer from anxiety myself, and your post sums it up brilliantly!
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Thank you. Anxiety is so difficult to get ahead of.
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I very wise person told me something today when I was talking about waiting for the other shoe to drop…. she said So? let it drop. Her words let me hold on to this newfound feeling of peace I believe she called it?… Thank you Kim 🙂
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Wise, huh? Hmmm…😉💜💜💜
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don’t you think? I do!
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😊💜
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Great tips, Kim! ‘Mental hygiene’, that’s a good way of putting it, I definitely need to work on that. I do try to get a little walk in each day, even if it’s not much I always think that every little helps and make the most of what I can manage like you do. Managing anxiety isn’t easy but you’re spot on with this post and ways to work on it! x
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Thanks, Caz. Anxiety is a buggar isn’t it? But these are some things that worked for me… Now the trick is not to let myself get anxious when I cannot accomplish them! Anxiety over things to do for anxiety! lol. Baby steps… xo~k.
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Amazing post Kim! Anxiety is a horrible thing that invades our lives and just will not go away. Anxiety and stress cause so many issues with our health. I think most of my flare ups are because of the amount of stress I am under. I have always been a very anxious person, even when I was a child. This was a very helpful post and as always I appreciate your thoughts!!! I hope you are having a good day!!
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Anxiety is tough! I was an anxious child as you were… these are some things that help me. Just don’t get anxious about trying them! lol. ~Kim
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It is funny you say that, don’t get anxious about trying to fix the issues. I overthink everything which of course causes anxiety. I really appreciate what you have shared!!
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Helpful and honest piece
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I live with endometriosis, migraines and anxiety. I really like your recommendations here and will give them a try.
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Oh my! I certainly hope something works, if not, we will keep looking. I will always bring forward anything I find to work and hope some of it may work for others too. Stay in touch Jeanette and let me know of any promising potential. Good vibes coming your way!
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That’s such a great post and I love your mantra. I’ve just taken a screenshot of it so I remember it. So glad that I’ve found your blog … you’ve got a follower in me, that was inspiring stuff! Thanks. Katie x
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Thank you Katie! Welcome and I need to take a peek at your blog as well! I really use that mantra. Some days more than others and it definitely helps!~Kim
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I appreciate how honest you are about not applying, or not being able to apply all of these techniques, but understanding that even the smallest task can be an enormous victory. 🙂 I find your words and your blog to be so real and inspiring, Kim. I have nominated you for The Sunshine Blogger Award. The details for the award are here: https://allmywoes.blog/2019/05/the-sunshine-blogger-award/. Also, I want to thank you for your support on my blog! It’s greatly appreciated! 🙂
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That is so kind Sierra! We can only do our best, at times just getting through a rough day/days/weeks is an enormous accomplishment. Victory is ours, every single day! Thank you for the nomination! I will respond with a blog post, soon! I’m doing care for my elderly parents Tuesdays thru Thursday’s but will get a post written this weekend. Thank you, Sierra! 💜
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