R & R
It wasn’t because I had never been acutely stressed before, but nine months ago I had my first anxiety attack. Once you have one, in a lot of cases, it is easier for them to happen again. I suppose the fear of having another one adds to whatever other stress I am experiencing. I never want it to happen again, so I’m very intentional about preventative measures and I have a strategy to keep the "I’m having a heart attack, choking and dying" feelings away.
Even though I love Christmas more than any other time of year, it can be extremely stressful. To keep my relationships on track, I have to do four things. Relationship thought number 14 and number one on my strategy list is – Relax.
- Nothing can get me angrier than when I am rehearsing thoughts of victimization. I have to relax by reprogramming my heart script. For example instead of thinking "I don’t deserve this," I reprogram with "This isn’t about me at all."
- My second thing is to take that relaxation into my dialog with others. I could say "Here are all the reasons why I don’t deserve any of this," but that would be more excuses and negativity. I try to speak my reprogrammed thoughts with more of a "half -full" attitude, which leads to listening to others in a positive way.
- Thirdly, I try to only say good things about my husband and about all the people in my life. I enjoy validating people and their thoughts/emotions. It isn’t always easy to do, but I always feel better after I do it.
- Last but not least I understand that I am going to fall off the relationship horse daily, if not more often. It’s critical to stand up and try again. Laying on the ground could definitely lead to another attack and it means I am not moving forward.
Glory to God for equipping us with knowledge and wisdom and the strength to use them.
He will see us through it all.
Amen,
Audra
Audra Krell 