Anxiety is an automatic response to danger or aggression. Our whole body works quicker. The head is a computing center that will not stop. Not even in the deepest dreams does it stop bringing images, sensations and emotions closer to us.
When I refer to danger, I don't necessarily mean something that puts our physical integrity at risk. Many times anxiety appears when we have an important talk with someone we don't want to lose, in some delicate situation. (as an example)
Anxiety is a way of putting all our senses on guard and under pressure.
It is not comfortable, that is unquestionable; but it is a super useful mechanism, our level of attention is increased, our breathing is agitated, the brain analyzes everything that happens. Embrace your anxiety, do not deny your emotions; we are a machine that works best when it is in flow.
Many times awareness is counterproductive, because we seek to diminish our anxiety, which is designed to solve the problem before us. Don't transform your emotions into enemies. Emotions are tools.
What you resist, persists and is enhanced.
A simple anxiety attack, taken to the extreme, can become a panic attack. But this is the top, there is no danger. No matter how much you feel that you are going to die (there are those who feel it) YOUR LIFE DOES NOT RUN DANGER. It is true that your heart beats with fury and you have trouble breathing. But just because your body is stressed doesn't mean it's going to crash.
Without going any further, in extreme case, fainting is designed to just enter into a drowsiness where our body and breath relax as if we were asleep. I'm not saying you're going to faint either, I just want you to know that your body knows very well what it has to do.
Don't be paralyzed. What's the worst that can happen?
This question can put you in context, many times the worst scenarios are situations that can be solved, or that have no solution but since they have no solution, why worry? Changes are often inevitable and even necessary.
I'm not trying to minimize your fear of losing what you're trying to maintain, but focused on fear you move away from the much sought-after solution and make you come to stupid and hasty decisions.
When you avoid facing your fears, they are like a shadow; the further away you go, the more GROW! It is also important to note that, no matter how much your inner world crumbles, your outer world does not change. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that no one notices that you're going through these episodes, it helps a lot to know that. It allows you to act normally despite the virulent ups and downs of your emotions.
We are creators, we have power and control. Fear is a completely natural and extremely useful emotion.
Don't believe me, I can prove to you that you are the only owner of your emotions.
You will notice that in these moments of tension you are not breathing properly, let's start there. Relax your body in tension, let your chest muscles relax, let all the air out slowly, close your eyes and smile, the most exaggerated smile you can; while you breathe in a big gasp of air. Magic huh? Now you feel stupidly happy and without any clear cause.
Our emotions are basic and are directly related to what we do (in this case, a smile, even a pretend one, serves). Imagine all the negative stimulations that we don't notice, how they impact and influence our mood!
You are in control, you are the owner of your emotions, pain is inevitable, but suffering? Suffering is OPTIONAL!