WELL-BEING

My late father would often say to me that "I would stress about stress before there is even anything to stress about"... and my inner close sanctum of family and friends will (and have!) said the same thing ... haha!!! It is part of my DNA I am sure and if there was an award for the most stressed out person of all time,  I am sure there would be many who would have no hesitation in nominating me!! haha 🤣

Stress, Anxiety and Panic Attacks is something a lot of us don't like to talk about, for reasons I don't fully understand, although I appreciate that for some it is a difficult topic to broach. Yet, I am convinced that for the most of us, at some stage we have experienced feelings of panic, stress, anxiety or all three!!

This topic is one that is very close to heart (and home!) as I literally eat, live and breathe panic attacks, anxiety and feelings of stress, almost on a daily basis - it has been so much a part of my life for the past 30 years or so, that it is now just my "norm". 

Now when I say my "norm" I should point out that this has not always been the case!!! AND there are still moments where I have those feelings of "losing control" and for reasons I have no clue about (and at the most inopportune times of course!!). I can literally feel it coming on... my pulse starts to increase, I feel like I can't breathe properly, start to feel hot and well it just spirals from there!  And there are still times where it has been so severe that an ambulance has been called and I have been cautiously treated as though I am having heart issues!! Fact. 

AND, I add here that if you are having severe symptoms of chest pain which can be associated with panic in particular, you should NEVER HESITATE to call an ambulance if your symptoms are prolonged or you are getting worse! Better to be safe than sorry!!! That is what I tell myself anyway... !! 

I have over the years seen many a therapist about trying to pinpoint triggers, and manage symptoms, and whilst some have been identified , there are times when I am just sitting on the couch watching TV and my body thinks "you know what... she is a little bit too relaxed and her pulse is a little calmer than usual... so now is THE time"!! If you suffer panic/anxiety attacks, you will understand what I mean! 😫 [for those who also might be curious, I have been offered medication in the past, but that is just a topic for another day... but quickly, I do not like medication for many reasons, so try to treat my symptoms holisitically]. 

I know a lot of people as I mentioned above don't like to talk about what is happening with them when it does - but I have learnt that honesty is the best policy and, in my own personal experience, I find most of the people around me are empathetic to the situation, even if not fully understanding. AND I've found that there is a sense of "relief" when you are in the midst of a stressful situation and those around you KNOW and can reassure you. 

One of the questions I am often asked is "what brought that on?!", or "what are you panicking about?". My usual response is "if I knew, then I wouldn't be having it". Not a helpful answer I know, but at the time, I am asking myself the same question!! haha  

So, I guess what I want to share is my tried and trusted ways of (for the most part) getting my panic and stressed out moments under control... 

At the very first "signs" of that imminent feeling of doom and quickened pulse (you get to know right?!), out comes my aromatherapy roller which I keep in every bag, at work and anywhere else that I might need it at short notice! I roll it on the top part of my hand and as it is small if anyone is watching you, they are none-the-wiser as it looks like a perfume! 

This enables me to then discreetly bring my focus on the oil that I like and which is now on my hand, wherever and in whatever situation I am in. If needed, I will rub the back of my hand along my nose quickly so the oil is there for me to smell too. Simultaneously, I also start to consciously slow my breathing down by take a very inconspicuous deep breath and then slowly letting it out. I will on occasion also place my palm on my stomach and focus on that also as I breath in and out, applying a lit bit of pressure too so I am more conscious of the movement of breathing.  

If will also, if I am able to, close my eyes, but obviously if I am in a supermarket full of people or in a meeting with clients, this is not the best thing to do (it might draw some rather odd looks!! haha). I try to do this for 5 minutes and find that this will often take my focus away from the impending doom I am feeling, brings me back to the here and now and feeling calmer. It is a form of mindfulness, but this does take practice. 

So if you are looking for a new way to try to distract yourself in stressful times, grab yourself an aromatherapy roll-on in a scent that you love, keep it handy, start deep breathing in and out and focus on the aroma and breathing (if you can) and please let me know know if it made a difference!! ♡ Remember though, if your symptoms do not improve, please seek medical attention without hesitation! 

And importantly, take care and love yourself always ♡

Yours, 

Mandy (aka Worry-Wart!! 😊 )