Howdy,
For no reason, a few days ago I started to get an anxiety attack at the gym. I could feel it rise like prickly heat up my body as the usual swell of muddy and chaotic thoughts created an imposing white noise. I started to breathe deeply to calm myself and quickly found a matt to lay on and pretend to do stretches whilst I calmed my body. I always listen to audio books when I go to the gym. They seem to be a good way to keep me from over thinking or getting too lost in my own head whilst I lift. I turned the volume up a little on my book, stretched and breathed my way through the anxiety attack and then as quickly as it had started it was gone. The after effects are usually fatigue but I didn't let that stop me doing some cardio afterwards. I know that if I don't burn off the excess adrenaline after the episode then it will interfere with my sleep later on and that starts a whole other cycle that can mess my routine up for a few days.
I've learned over the years that when anxiety starts to be a present factor in my life that I need to use all that I have to tackle it. The trick for me is to balance the mind with the body. I can't “think” my way through anxiety. The very thing that is broken at that point is not the thing that is going to fix me. So I use what I do have. I sometimes walk it out, sometimes I'll go for a quick run if I have the time. If I'm stuck somewhere then sometimes fresh air and alone time to listen to something else helps. Before I discovered how good audiobooks were for me I used to try to read something or listen to an interview online. I found that the best way to get out of whatever story was regurgitating around my head was to hear someone else's.
I'm glad to say that it's literally been years since I've had any major panic attack. Those are way different from anxiety attacks and I live in hope that they are a permanent part of my past. To heal those I've had to design a whole life based around strengthening myself, arming myself with tools to recognise the beginnings of them and eliminate them as quickly as possible. It's not a perfect system but it has helped. I havent' gone down the medication route for any of my mental health journey but I have found herbs and supplements that help. If any of you are interested in them send me a message and i'll let you know what I'm taking. Mainly it's all about the lifestyle I choose. Working for myself. Setting my own routine. Working out. Connecting with people and only surrounding myself with people I love and who love me. Spending time with animals. Making art. Singing songs. Being child-like on purpose. Being grown up on purpose. Getting that balance right. Mainly, doing everything I can to talk to myself in a gentle way. Being my own friend.
It takes time. Go easy.
Onward,
Love,
Ryan x