𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 recent anxiety attack episodes.

Hey, all. 🤎

It’s Gina here. It’s Definitely been a while. I’ve truly missed posting my weekly 5 Steps for you all..

However, over the past few weeks I have taken some much needed self-care time. To realign myself and my mental health. 

(7-𝟏𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝)

Owning a business is definitely a blessing, but it also has its challenges at times. These challenges can then sometime intertwine with your mental health, and if you struggle with mental health issues you may be able to resonate with what my story is.

 Mental health is also a challenge and those challenges can arise at any moment, but knowing how to navigate through those challenges and coming out stronger, is always the most beneficial to you and your overall progress. 

I suffer with anxiety along with depression, and generally I deal with anxiety in the spring/summer months. The heat of the sun can create a sense of urgency within us and this was what I had become accustomed and kind of used to.

However, over the past few months I’ve noticed my anxiety peeking more and more, and in October is when my anxiety but most of all my mental health decided it needed my full and undivided attention..

As a business owner, my first instinctive thought was there's no time for this. The holiday's are among us. I have order to be placed, my website to update, local vendor events, social medias to engage with.. and so on, and on and on.. My mind was racing.. My thoughts spiraling.

Whenever this happens to me I know it’s time to go inwards and find out what’s going on within me. 

I had my tools prepared, and I was ready to face the issue direct, but although I was ready doesn’t mean the issue was any less challenging. 

Erratic sleep patterns, over thinking, mood swings, emotional imbalance had seem to become a part of my normal routine. 

I felt stuck, worried, alone, but most of all confused.. 

Why am I anxious? I have a thriving business; I’m healthy, I’m dedicated to my fitness, my children and family are healthy too. My life seemed to be headed to an overall path of success and greatness, but this overwhelming urge to worry was amongst me daily.. 

But as I began to continue going inward I realized subconsciously I wasn’t okay. My subconscious mind was so used to being in a state of panic and fright, that this sense of calm created a anxiety within me.. 

It was then I realized.. wait? My mind is just trying to keep me safe, this feeling if security, prosperity, good health and consistent happiness was new to me and my mind wanted me to be prepared in case this feeling we’re to dissipate I wouldn’t be wondering why I’m feeling so low again; I would just know because my mind was conditioned to think this way and act this way. 

Having your mind in freeze, flight, or fight mode, is the same mechanism our minds use when it senses danger.. Your mind can’t depict a bear attack from you finally feeling happy; your mind just thinks danger.. YOU have to reprogram and rewire your mind to believing you’re safe, you’re okay, and you're protected (one of my daily used affirmations). 

By teaching your mind these new steps and conditioning your mind into a new way of thinking, you can truly overcome the strain of anxiety or an anxiety attack..

As you can tell from the start of my post.. this will be a guide on my 5 simple steps to help you overcome your anxiety.

The first thing to try and do, is connect with the present moment.

Always engage your five senses.. 

What can see? Take a look outside engage with the elements

What can you hear? Listen to the space you're in, play some music, hum to to yourself.

What can you smell? Is there an aroma in the air, is it pleasant or is it unpleasant?

What can you taste? Chew some gum, pop in a mint or sip some water. When we are eating or drinking our bodies and minds naturally believes we're safe.

What can you touch? Feel your skin, your clothes, your hair, feel your body and engage with the sensations around you.

Once you’ve become more present, take some deep intentional breaths.. there’s so many methods of breath work find one that works for. However my go to when I’m having a panic attack is Nadi Shodhana (alternating nostril breathing). 

This next step may be uncomfortable, but push yourself through the intensity you may feel when you decide to answer your over thinking thoughts.. It’s okay to overthink, but it’s not okay to not address any of the thoughts that may arise.. Those unanswered thoughts become stored in your subconscious mind and will arise later.. 

Feel the emotions of the thoughts you answered, allow your body to acclimate to the response you give the thought.

 Over time your body will learn that this is your minds reaction to the response of your thoughts and YOUR body will stop reacting.. 

And finally although this may seem weird to some.. 

Tell your mind and body thank you for always wanting to keep you safe, and alerting when you feel unsettled or uneasy in a situation. 

By honoring your anxiety; your mind will begin to realize anxiety is just a threat response, and is not always needed in day to day situations of daily life. 

You deserve to live a life of sovereignty, and peace.. 

& remember... although the journey may be difficult at times, don’t give up! Trust that you too can get to the life you deserve.