Today I woke up with it. I don't exactly remember what I was dreaming about, or if that even has anything to do with it. But it was there as soon as I opened my eyes. It's amazing, in one sense, waking up with anxiety already at a level 6 is a double-edged sword. It gets the blood moving, and there is no hitting the snooze button 15 times to get some extra zzzz's because you really don't need to. The flip side to this great blood-mover however, is that you lay there in a PANIC while your body sweats and you run through all the scenarios in your head. Somethings wrong! Am I late? Did I forget an appointment? Oh no, what did I do?
These thoughts take over your thinking as you lay there in a sweat until your realize the answer to all of these questions; no, I have no where to be, I didn't forget anything, how could I have done something wrong when I just opened my eyes? Then the anxiety level drops from a level 6 to a level 2 and you can finally rise and face the day. It's an exercise I go through almost everyday.
It's a little trick called Mindfulness. I learned this in group as a coping skill for dealing with this ridiculous feeling that seems to have no discernible root or logic to it, sometimes.
Being MINDFUL means:
STOP! Look around you, realize that you are in a safe place.
'I'm home'
Take a look at what's around you.
'I'm safely in my bedroom'
Am I really in danger?
No, I'm alright, and I'm going to stay alright.
It takes a little practice, but it does a world of good. It truly gives credence to taking a moment to stop and smell the roses.
No comments:
Post a Comment