Saturday, May 21, 2011

Things I've learned during my life of being an anxious person.

I think I've been anxious (a "worrier" in capital letters) from my first memories as a kid.  The few photos of me from my childhood all show a little unhappy face.  In fact someone recently saw a photo of my whole family and no one was smiling in the entire photo so you can see it runs (and gallops) in my family.

Anyway, I have read many books, done much internet searching, and lived through many experiences all of which have led me to certain conclusions about how people can live with daily anxiety and try to lead as normal a life as possible.

For my first bit of advice let me share what I've learned about anxiety and breathing.  They are intertwined and, if you are to reduce your worries, you must learn to control your breathing.  Slow, steady, stomach rising up and down, breathe through your nose (critical!) and keep your jaw loose and natural