by Terri Webster
I am on the tail end of an anxious week with panic symptoms still lingering.
What am I anxious about?
I could name a ton of reasons. Not
all of them are bad. Most are good, which begin with apprehension or
excitement about an upcoming event.
Mix good and exciting with a few underlying,
troubling realities, and I have the perfect recipe for full-blown symptoms that
can send me straight to bed.
Do you relate?
I first experienced this intruder two summers ago. The first
attack came from out of nowhere. Sudden onset of nausea, dizziness, extreme
fatigue, shallow breathing and heart palpitations. The more I fought it, the worse I felt.
My thoughts ran ahead of me and I couldn’t catch up. An overall
At first I blamed it on a bug or the flu. I worried
that it was my heart. The symptoms would last all day, then go away as quickly
as they came.
When it happened a second time several weeks later, and then
again and again, each one about a month apart, I went to my doctor. She ruled
out heart problems and everything else checked out fine. She asked me if I was
under stress.
Who isn’t, right?
A lot was going on during that time, not to mention being in
menopause, which could be a major culprit.
I share my story because I am surrounded by women who
experience anxiety, panic and depression. It interferes with our lives, doesn’t it? It’s inconvenient. You’ve probably thought like I have, “I don’t have time
for this. I have too much to do.”
Once I realized what was happening, I discovered some ways
to squelch these episodes, which I want to share with you. I don’t wait until
anxiety strikes, but have incorporated these things on a daily basis.
- Get still before God. Find a place where you won’t be interrupted. If ten minutes is all you have, that’s ten powerful minutes of “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). God’s word provides endless remedies for our anxious hearts. Here’s just one that sums up my steps to having His promised peace for my heart and mind.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace
of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
- See your doctor. Ask to have your hormone levels tested. This was a big deal for me. Once I gained understanding of what was going on chemically, I could make decisions on what to do about it. For me, it’s a natural form of hormone replacement recommended by a holistic doctor. And, of course, depending on your personal situation, your doctor can determine if other medicines are needed.
- Food and drink. Please don’t take away my morning coffee!
I fill a big mug, PLUS a small thermos and take it to my quiet place with God every morning. I’ve cut back though. I have discovered some low-acidic, organic versions at Walmart. They’re not expensive and aren’t chemically decaffeinated. Even though it’s caffeinated, I don’t experience the jitters.
- As for food, when we’re stressed, we tend to eat more processed, sugary foods. I’ve found a lot of relief by avoiding all junky-types of foods and drinks. This includes NO artificial sweeteners. Trust me when I say, I’m not deprived. There are gobs of whole food options, as well as convenience foods that aren’t chock full of ingredients that were never intended for humans. You’re worth taking the time to read ALL labels!
- Essential oils are a major armor against various health issues including anxiety and emotional woes. I’ve used them for six years and thank God every day for creating the resources, and giving men the wisdom and knowledge on how to source these oils from plants and trees that have undeniable power. Again, read the labels. If you have further questions about essential oils, feel free to send me a private email.
- The world says we’re invincible! You can do it all, have
it all. I’m not sure what “it all” is, but saying yes to things God doesn’t intend
you to say yes to, even if it’s a great thing, does not mean it’s great for
you. God’s word tells us that the greatest thing that surpasses all others, is
wisdom. With godly wisdom comes enjoyment of fruits far better than fine gold
and choice silver. Wisdom grows throughout the years, but materialistic gain rots, decays and only satisfies for a short time. Wisdom lasts a lifetime and beyond. Proverbs 8 is full of the rich promises of pursuing wisdom and knowledge from Him. I’ve said no to a lot the past few years, including over-volunteering, which has provided much-needed margin for me to heal and learn how to manage stress and anxiety when it rears its ugly head.
- Accept and let go of what you have no control over. Those things are God’s specialty and better left to Him.
- Lastly, exercise. Breathe deeply. Stretch. Get outside. Walk. Ride a bike.
What are some other ways you’ve found to combat anxiety and
panic attacks? Feel free to share below in the comments area below.
Staying the course,
Terri
photo courtesy of www.pixabay.com
