Rather than a ‘first option’ I would suggest a ‘first step’. The first step is to gain an *understanding* of how this stress and anxiety is happening. I say that because people often assume it's something that just ‘happens’ to them and so they look to some solution outside of their self, such as medication. But if you really want to turn things around then you need to understand how your stress and anxiety is something that you are ‘doing’, a pattern you are in and are enacting, within a context. Get to know the how, why, where and so on, and you will be well on the way to changing things. You could do this by seeing a counsellor, or approaching an anxiety support group in your area, etc. Good luck.
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Counsellor, Psychotherapist
As Matthew mentioned a way of regulating and containing anxiety and stress is getting to know how it plays out for you. Noticing how and where you experience it in your body (E.g.: Is it in your stomach, chest, is your heart beating faster?)
Then rate your anxiety level from 0-10 (10 representing maximum intensity and 0 representing no intensity whatsoever).
An effective way to reduce your anxiety levels is to employ a self-empowering tool like EFT or Meridian tapping that uses the meridian system to unblock unresolved emotions or experiences that have been stored in the body. Fore more information have a look at http://connectingmindbodybreath.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/how-meridian-tapping-reduces-stress/
Hope that helps,
Alexandra
www.cmbb.com.au
Melbourne Counselling, Prahran Counsellor: Alexandra Bloch-Atefi, PhD, VIC
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Counsellor
By recognising you have concerns in this area is a big step. Well done! further to what my learned colleagues have written - contacting a counsellor by email and then talk to them by phone then once you feel comfortable with them meet them face to face.
One of my clients took 9 phone calls between 15 to 25 minutes before she had built up enough confidence to see me.
By the time she had come to meet me in person she had made some huge steps. One step a time is what it takes. Take care.
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Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist
One way to deal with stress and social anxiety is by learning effective strategies to better handle difficult thoughts and feelings - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one approach that I believe can be very helpful in dealing with anxiety. You can learn to not be so pushed around by your mind and to take actions that fit with the kind of person you want to be.
A couple of books to check out:
- The confidence gap or
- The happiness trap
Both are by Russ Harris - and you can check out the first chapter for free on his website actmindfully.com.au
or else get along to see a psychologist who uses that approach. If you are in Sydney we would love to have a chat and see if we can offer something helpful to you.
Good luck!
Louise
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