Meditation | Anxiety | Ask an Expert

Hi there
as already suggested NLP Coaching can teach you are strategies to apply after you lose your calm.
More useful would be to identify and unhook the programs or strategies that you run (automatically and subconciously) that end up in loss of calm in the first place.

I would also add that in some cases I find I get better results by working non-verbally, ie with the body. Injuries or (often emotionally-based) postures that put habitual pressure on ribs and neck will restrict your breathing, and constantly give your body the message that it is in self-defence mode. In which case you will experience as having a short fuse, or low tolerance for stress, as your body is constantly near its limit and it doesnt take much to push it into reaction mode.

It is a truism that you balance the body and you will balance the mood, or vice versa. I would suggest take an objective look at yourself in the mirror - especially from a side view. If you would judge your posture to be less than confident and balanced looking, consider some educationally based (rather than simply release based) Body Therapy - check out my website for the menu of my favourite approaches.

good luck
Craig

Hi. Anxiety can be a distressing emotion that people feel, however it is a normal human response in dangerous or life-threatening situations. Unfortunately, we also sometimes experience these anxious reactions when watching a movie about a robbery or when standing in front of a group of people to give a speech or other situations.

As a Counsellor I use a therapeutical technique called Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and I'd be able to teach you ways of reducing your anxiety when danger is not present, when the danger is not as serious as you might think, or when too much anxiety interferes with your ability to adequately cope with your work/home/life.

I agree with some of the other replies. Deep breathing is a great way to reduce stress. One way is to laugh. Belly Laughter is a form of deep breathing and produces happy hormones. There are many ways to help you to laugh for no reason either out loud or silently. The results of laughing regularly for an extended time, (not the 3 second laugh from a joke)show many health benefits from anxiety to frozen shoulders. I would love to discuss with you ways to help you be able to laugh and deep breath no matter where you are or what you are doing
louise www.laughterempowers.co.nz

EFT ( emotional Freedom technique) or tapping is a very useful technique that you can use everyday to help ease stress. Tapping uses the same meridians that are used in accupuncture and it also helps calm the amygdala which promotes the fight or flight response.
You can contact me at [email protected] for a free 30 minute consultation.

HI First Light Flower Essences of NZ have an essence called Crisis Support which is great to have on hand for the stressful episodes but as you said these are happening frequently I would suggest that you get some essences made up specifically for yourself which will clear what is creating the reactions to the stressful situations. Also I use BodyTalk and their cotices technique is easy to learn and do onyourself. It balances your left and right brains and brings you out of the stress reactions. Try it at this link but Im very happy to talk to you and make up some essences specifically for you. Jeanette at Instinctive Health 027 5079944
http://www.bodytalksystem.com/learn/access/cortices.cfm

Learning Reiki could help you considerably. Reiki helps by relaxing and calming your mind, body and soul, and therefore relieving the anxiety and stress. If you don't wish to learn Reiki yourself coming for a relaxing Reiki treatment when there is stress always helps you feel better and able to feel in control of everyday situations.
If you are interested in talking to me I am very happy to do that and please ring me or another Reiki Practitioner in your area.

A really good start for calming yourself is understanding that you can settle your body and emotions down more easily than you may realise, and in the moment it's happening, which is really useful. We are often breathing high in our chest in these moments and moving our breath down to our belly is really useful. Take a few long slow deep breaths in and be surprised at how much it calms your system down. There are also some great techniques for shifting your stress state really quickly - one of which is the Mood Mover, there is a free download of this fun but very effective technique on my website at http://www.freshwaysforward.co.nz/Links.php. Other more subtle NLP-based techniques are available too for when you're not able to do something so active (such as when you're in a meeting at work or presenting to a group).
Karen Ross at Fresh Ways Forward.

For some people, taking flower essences such as Rescue Remedy seems to work. Other therapies are to learn and do meditation daily, saying affirmations and even having worry beads. There are other things such as EFT ( Emotional Freedom Technique) and BodyTalk which work extremely well and are easy to learn. Diapthrapmatic breathing technique or yoga breathing can also benefit as you are concentrating on the breathe rather than the stressful event and also you will do your body wonders by increasing the oxygen levels. Music therapy is also of value and there are some very good relaxation music you can download and listen to. If you would like more information on anything I have suggested, please do not hesitate to contact me and I can forward you the relevant information. Kind regards Donna

Hi there are a number of ways to do this Yoga as mentioned is good so is exercise however for me the best I've found is TRE or Trauma release exercises. They are easy to learn and do at home or work and relieve stress rapidly plus lower it permanently.

Call me if you want more info, there are therapists throughout NZ Regards Chris Toal 09 6389995 www.wellnessatwork.co.nz

There are a number of approaches depending on your situation. Relaxation massage, such as good ayurvedic massage, can help you experience deep relief within a few sessions. Yoga at the right kind of school will also help tremendously, especially if you start doing a simple daily yoga routine as well. After a while you will be ready to do meditation, which will not only calm your mind and emotions down; but also help you understand why you find those situations stressful, and either change them or change your attitude to them. At Science of Life, we specialise in helping people manage stress.