Another Technique

I want to share another tool with you that I hope you find helpful. Some of you may be using this technique already, but for those of you who are not it's very useful.
With all the self talk we do, have you ever asked yourselves questions about your anxieties? You have to be very honest when you use this 'questions' technique. No one is going to know what you say anyway. Being honest with your answers is so very important. Here is how it works:
When you have a negative thought pass through your mind or when you are nervous about something ask yourself questions. Here is an example of what I'm talking about:
Let's say you are nervous about going to someone's home that is further away than you would like to go, but not unrealistically too far for you at this point in your recovery. Here is how the conversation, with yourself, would go:
Q: Why are you so nervous?
A: I'm not use to going that far from home.
Q: What are you afraid of?
A: I'm not really sure.
Q: Imagine yourself being on the way to where you are going and tell me what scares you. OK?
A: I don't know what scares me, but I'm really nervous.
Q: Look around. Is there anything that is scary or life threatening there?
A: No.
Q: Would you repeat your answer again for me?
A; Yes. My answer was NO.
Q: Are you able to do the breathing technique?
A: Yes.
Q: Can you pull over and breath until you feel more relaxed?
A: Yes.
Q: Have you been saying your affirmations that will make this situation easier for you?
A: Sometimes.
Q: Can you do them everyday instead of "sometimes"?
A: Yes, if I think about it.
Q: Do you remember how important affirmations are?
A: Yes, and I will do them everyday.
Q: Promise?
A: Yes
You get the idea now of what I'm talking about. Be gentle with your questions to yourself and be honest with your answers. Ask yourself as many questions as you want to and do this for as long as you want to. Try this technique for a few weeks and see what happens. Ask questions about all kinds of issues in your life. Don't just limit it to feeling anxious at the time.
Have your 'Question Sessions' (as I call it) when it's quiet and you are not pressed for time. I love doing them when I go to bed at night and I'm not too tired. I also like to do this when I'm outside and it's quiet. I've learned an awful lot by using this technique. You will too. I also enjoy doing these sessions while listening to my relaxation CDs when the house is quiet.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Dear Sue:
  Do you practice your breathing exercise everyday or just when you need to do them?
  'L.'
I practice my deep breathing everyday, but I breath through my abdomen all the time. If you breath properly for just a few minutes/hours it will become second nature just like the improper breathing you were use to doing. I hope this answered your question, but if not just let me know.

GOAL FOR THE WEEK
Practice your 'Question Sessions' at least twice this week.

Do them into a tape recorder if you want to.
INSPIRATION
"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
         ~~Anais Nin~~
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."
        ~~Ambrose Redmoon~~
AFFIRMATIONS
I stay focused on my goals. (And my newsletters.LOL)
I know what is best for me.

I see things in a positive way.

I am beauty and love.

I am unique.

I am caring.
I see beauty in all things.
TIPS FOR THE WEEK

Make a pitcher of sun tea or lemonade and find a quiet place to relax and say your affirmations and your 'question session.'
Weed around your planters or your yard.
Sue
Anxiety Support Newsletter.