Dear stevethepanicer:

It is very difficult- as it has been for me- for anxious people to meditate. When attempting to meditate, it is when the anxiety feels acute, and the head exploding (your words). This is one reason why Moving Meditation, such as walking meditation, dancing meditation, Tai Chi (slow motion, focused martial arts movements) is so helpful for anxious people, unlike sitting/ non- moving meditation. All these moving-meditations are the same as Mindfulness which is paying attention to our movements. Normally we move automatically in all tasks we are used to, from washing dishes to walking, driving to tying our shoes. Mindfulness means paying attention to our movements and how our bodies feel as we move, during those automatic tasks!

The more you exercise paying attention to your movements and how your body feels as you move, the calmer, over time, you will be.

I do wish this thread will be your journey into Mindfulness. My therapy was CBT plus Mindfulness. There is no replacement, no substitute in healing to paying attention, that is, being mindful.

In your quest to heal your anxiety in all its manifestations, you will need a kind of a box of tools, with tools available for different times, different circumstances. One tool is intense enough aerobic exercise, safe, such as fast walking and swimming. If you can join a gym/ have access to a pool and a treadmill, or be able to walk outside, one particular place every day, a place you get familiar with and comfortable- that is a great tool. When you feel particularly anxious, here is one tool: go for a fast walk or a swim.

Other exercise such as lifting weight (in moderation) can also be good- a gym maybe, where you can go at a particular time of day (since you work from home) when it is less crowded…?

Another tool is a routine of moving meditation- every time you wash dishes, pay attention to your body, how it moves and how it feels, what you sense with up to your five senses: the touch of the water and soap on your hands, the feel of the dishes, the sound of the water, etc.

Every time you take a shower- same thing.

Best you can establish a routine for yourself: a sameness every day- first thing you do when you wake up, same thing you do daily after lunch, these are examples. Sameness is calming.

Psychotherapy with a competent and caring therapist, one who specializes in anxiety and is very familiar with mindfulness… a support group of people respectful of each other, with group rules to ensure individual safety…

I found Tai Chi fascinating- of course not all Tai Chi are created equal, but the mindful, slow motion movements slow down the brain in a fascinating way!

Please keep this thread alive and post again and again.

anita