What ways can people trick the brain into thinking that they are calm?
Question:
In all honesty, the best solution is just letting go of stressful people and situations in life-& then I guess no one would have anxiety disorders or even ask questions like these in the first place, etc, etc, etc...
Counseling helps, but it takes time, patience and commitment. In between, nightmares and flashbacks do happen along the way but eventually reduces (and then fades). So far I think I've done well with not having any attacks lately. The first and last one was 11 months ago. With effort & research, I think I've done well for myself. I am not an advocate of "anxiety pills". They don't get to the root of the problem. I've made life-style adjustments through diet, exercise, learning more about how to CONTROL stress. Any more techniques?
Answers:
In my 20+ years as a mental health professional, now retired, I had the opportunity to work with an old psychiatrist who was an American Indian (now deceased from old age, about 8 years ago), and he told me years ago that if all his clients would go for a walk several times a week, with no chore attached to the walk - like walking your dog or going to the store, they would never have depression or anxiety again. But, he said, his clients wouldn't do that because most of them wanted the very anxiety pills you mention and they wanted a fancy diagnosis, and they wouldn't do something that was free and easy, because it wasn't "significant" enough, or attention-getting enough. I can assure you that that man's wisdom was magnificent, and I can also assure you, as an avid walker, runner and bicyclist for 20 years, he was right on the mark. Make sure the exercise you do is "aerobic" and not anaerobic (sp?), and my very wise old (now deceased) psychiatrist's wisdom will help you tremendously. The world is missing a wonderful man with his departure, but I'll always be more than glad to share the wisdom of his I was able to gather over the 15 years I was able to work with him. God Bless you.
When you meditate( I know you must, since you sound serious) try to visualize a screen in your mind. A checkerboard pattern.Then prioritize your problems (stress inducing ones) into the various forms of chess pieces. King, Queen, Rook, Castle, Bishop, Pawn, etc. It makes it all an abstract notion that way. You don't have to win but seeing the conflict in it's more manageable perspective will give you the confidence in your own judgement that will dispell the more anxious thoughts.
There are breathing techniques that you could try. For example, you inhale and then hold it for 3 seconds and then let it out slowly. Doing this a few times will help get more oxygen into the brain and relieve some stress for you. Some people say that Yoga is very relaxing. Some find acupuncture to work for them. If you do start something like the breathing technique, devote a few minutes each night to it in addition to doing it when you are stressed and then also do it for the course of a month. You will find yourself automatically doing it after that without even having to think about it. Good luck :)
This may sound odd, but a certain way of pulling your hair can help. If you run your fingers through your hair and grasp your hair as close as you can to your scalp and gently close your fist, so you're tugging just until you can feel it pulling, that might help. I've used that when I get stressed out and just need a quick "relax fix." I don't remember where I read that, but I tried it, and it worked for me. Good luck!
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