The worst thing about an anxiety disorder and panic attacks is that my world shrank. I became totally wrapped up in my anxiety disorder and found it almost impossible to get out and meet friends. It felt like I could think of nothing but my anxiety. I would spend all my time obsessing about my anxiety, checking in with myself, asking myself how did I feel, was I worrying, was I okay?
My first major step on the way to getting better was a defnite decision to engage with life again, to take an interest in different things in order to start getting over my anxiety. Think of it as a form of distraction, the aim being to keep yourself too busy to allow anxiety to start circling in your head and the great thing is that it worked wonders for me.
I don't suggest that try to fill every minute of the day with a hobby or interest. That sounds too much like obsessive behavior and would probably be a dangerous route to go down, but I don't see the harm in spending an hour or two a day with a interest, something that interests you and maintains your attention.
Gradually, you will find that you have started to spend some quality time when you haven't checked in with your worries; your worries have simply moved to the back of your mind and let you get on with life. The thing to do is take up a pastime that you can do regularly and that takes up your complete attention.
I started three hobbies that helped. I started looking into tropical fish and plants on the world wide web, ended up buying an aquarium and am now totally hooked on the fishkeeping hobby. The children love to help with the maintenance so not only do I get some relaxation time but the kids also get to spend time with me when I'm not feeling anxious.
I started playing the acoustic guitar. We bought our little girl a guitar a year or so back but couldn't afford lessons so now we both play the guitar for half an hour an evening, both working our way through on-line lessons.
And then for purely selfish quality me time when the wife and kids have gone out, I took up model making. Something I loved doing as a kid but now I could take it to a whole new level. I just need to fit the controls and engine now.
Just think about it for a moment. Imagine how powerful a few hours of anxiety free time could be and how relaxed you would feel if you manage to get them. Don't be too ambitious to start off with. Find something that you enjoy and make time for it.
Distraction is a great way of breaking the cycle of anxious thoughts and de-sensitizing your mind and the great thing is that you get to do something that you really enjoy.
