Panic! Nothing is going my way!
One moment everything is thriving and the next, anxiety takes over. One thing goes wrong, then another, and slowly it begins to feel like everything is against me.
Remind you of anyone?
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- Use Mental Tools when the anxiety begins.
- Breathe.
- Count as high as possible.
- Smell a strong scent.
- Connect to your senses.
- Stay present.
- Leave the situation.
- Confront the anxiety and ask “Why?”.
- Find the root of the anxiety.
- Compartmentalize emotions until a safe time to release them.
Sometimes, things happen as lessons even when we’re healing.
& yes. It sucks.
Here’s the story behind an anxiety attack I had recently to have context to how I use these tools myself.
Last week, I had an accident that put me off my feet for a still, unknown amount of time. I was giving a stranger a lighter because they needed one. Once the lighter was handed over, I turned around to leave. Well, upon leaving, I found myself skidding out into the road. I had tripped over the curb and landed face-first on the pavement.
The result?
To be as un-gruesome as possible, I stood up and a sharp pain shot up my ankle from both sides alongside road burn. Immediate pain began, and fight or flight was taking over my body. I was going into a panic.
I haven’t felt this type of pain since a child. I knew something was seriously wrong.
Through healing over the years, I knew I couldn’t react how I had previously. I needed to calm myself down from the impending anxiety-induced panic attack.
How did I handle this anxiety coming my way?
I used Mental Tools.
- Compartmentalize my emotions until I have a safe place to ask myself, “What’s going on?”.
- I am allowing myself to feel everything that comes up.
- Focus on rewarding activities rather than restricting ones.
- Breathe and remember I have the power of choice.
- Have the courage to face the challenge.
I took a moment for myself to stay present. I remembered my mental tools and oh my! They saved me from panicking in the middle of a busy street from pain.
Thanks to my chosen mental tools, I found myself more at peace with the accident and challenge I had to face. Therefore, I found a natural calling to share with you how to find mental tools that help you during challenging times.
*If you’d like to learn more about each tool other than here, feel free to explore rosabethmooon.com/blog or Rosabeth Mooon Motivation on Youtube & Spotify!
What are tools used in mental challenges?
Scientific Answer: Mental Tools are mental exercises that help someone manage strong emotions or trauma by helping anxiety and PTSD. 1
Spiritual Answer: Mental activities that make the present existence easier through calming one’s energy.
When is the best time to begin using mental tools?
Answer:
Okay… That was a trick question. Mental Tools are designed to be used when you feel they’re needed. Healing is not one-way-fits-all. It’s what works for you. For me, however, it’s when needed. Which totals to multiple times a day.
Are mental tools only for PTSD and anxiety?
No! Mental tools are a great thing for everyone to have. Every single person experiences anxiety, fear, sadness, and disruptive emotions that throw their life out of balance.
How can I learn what mental tools are for me?
Begin with learning the basics!
Start a trial-and-error process with different mental tools and see what makes you feel better!
Here’s a list of mental tools to try!
- Mantras- EX: “I’m aware and grounded.”
- Compartmentalize emotions until safety for release.
- Call your energy back to you.
- Visualize the outcome you want.
- Count your breaths.
- Count as high and as long as possible.
- Do the “5 senses method” and feel each of your senses.
- Feel your body from toes to forehead using your attention.
- Identify everything in the room around you.
- Complete an enjoyable creative activity.
Directly look at the challenges you’re facing and grow from them.
Use your mental tools as one of the guides within your healing journey when facing any challenge.
What happens when I use my mental tools?
In the end, the challenge dissipates and the result is astounding. You begin to handle more, feel better, and live without fearing what you’ll do the next time a challenge arises.
While it may still suck, at least it’s better than the last challenge. Don’t give up. You can handle any challenge!
What works best for you?! Let us know!
- We’re in the process of building our business and blog! Come back for updated articles about other tools alongside healing resources to aid you along your journey!
- Caporuscio, J., & Legg, T. J. (2023, February 14). Grounding techniques for anxiety, PTSD, and trauma. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/grounding-techniques#:~:text=Examples%20include%20breathing%20exercises%20and,them%20using%20the%20five%20senses.
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