Anxiety and Religion: The Role of Faith in Stopping Anxiety Attacks

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I have heard it said that if you want to get along with people you should avoid talking about religion or politics. Well, I’m going to break that rule today and get into a discussion about the role of religion in the lives of anxiety sufferers. We’ll see how it goes. Wish me luck! ;-)

First, it’s important for me to state my point of view, so you know where I’m coming from. I am not religious. I was brought up in the Christian faith, and I even attended a Catholic university as an undergraduate (St. Thomas University, Miami, Florida). But the religious aspect of life never “took” with me. That’s just who I am, and I believe it’s important to be honest about these things above all else.

Having said that, I have many family members and good friends who are deeply religious — several are even ministers. Occasionally, one of my non-religious friends will ask “how can you be friends with so-and-so? They’re so religious.” But I see no contradiction at all in connecting and forming close friendships with people who have a different viewpoint from myself. In fact, we have quite a few Baptist and Methodist ministers who are affiliate partners for the EasyCalm anxiety series, and I appreciate both their support in getting the word out, and their acceptance of my viewpoint. I am fortunate to have attracted people into my life who accept me as I am. The least I can do is to return the favor.

I’ve also been asked many times if the EasyCalm method is appropriate for Christians (or people of other faiths), or if it conflicts with religious teaching. I believe that it is completely appropriate. And to the best of my knowledge, there is no conflict between the techniques taught in the EasyCalm series and Christianity, or any other religion. So while the series is not in itself “religious,” it is not at odds with religion at all.

 Religion is about faith — Anxiety is a LACK of faith

Many people are better able to deal with anxiety situations because of their religious beliefs. And this makes perfect sense when you think about it, because religion is all about having faith. Anxiety and panic attacks, on the other hand, are a lack of faith. This doesn’t mean that someone who is experiencing anxiety or panic attacks is not truly religious; it just means that WHILE they are experiencing anxiety or panic, their faith is clearly at a low point. The type of fear and outright terror experienced during a panic attack is the complete opposite of the courage and faith in God taught by Christianity, for example.

Now, as presumptuous as it may seem for a non-religious person to give religious advice to believers, that’s exactly what I’m about to do (I didn’t get where I am without being presumptuous — or without coaching and befriending many religious people and observing what helped their anxiety situations :-)

If you feel your anxiety levels rising or a panic attack coming on, turn to your faith. Quiet your mind and pray, but not in the sense that you’re praying for a specific outcome (like “God please stop these anxiety attacks!”). Rather, pray that God’s will be done — whatever that may be. So if it is His will that you should experience anxiety or panic, pray that that is exactly what happens.

This may sound counter intuitive, and I admit it does take courage and faith. But the whole point of turning to your faith is to recognize you are part of something bigger than yourself, and turn yourself over to that higher power. This exercise of faith without desiring anything for yourself helps many people to lessen the effects of anxiety and panic attacks. Another way of expressing this is in the popular saying, “let go and let God.” If you are religious, that is exactly what I recommend you do when panic or anxiety strike: let go and have faith that God will take over.

“According to your faith it is done unto you” is not just a catchy biblical quote. It’s a statement of metaphysical truth we should ALL bear in mind.

~ Jon

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For “Sensitive” People, Attitude is NOT Optional!

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attitude-is-everything.jpgIn my experience, if you have dealt with anxiety problems in your life, there is a 90% chance that you are a “sensitive” person. Sensitivity is a double-edged sword: it is usually accompanied by high intelligence, creativity and the capacity for self reflection, and all of these qualities are great, of course. But sensitivity also has a downside — sensitive people tend to have more emotional issues and self esteem problems than their less sensitive friends or family members.

Because of this, it is really important that sensitive people learn to focus their attention, discipline their thinking and get an attiutude! Without this, the creativity and self reflection that sensitive people are known for can quickly turn to the “dark side” and cause them to obsess on unproductive thoughts and imagine worst-case scenarios. AND, they can find themselves trying to follow the lead of the less-sensitive people around them, instead of recognizing their own power (a disastrous mistake!).

So let me be very clear about this. Being sensitive is NOT a handicap or disadvantaged in ANY way! Sensitivity equals capability. The less sensitive a person is, the less capability they have (and very often, the less creativity they will have). And if you are a sensitive person who tends to demure to the less sensitive people around you, you’re making a huge mistake.

If any of this sounds familiar, and you recognize the need within yourself to buck up and get an attitude — to feel your own power — I highly recommend the “Attitude is NOT Optional!” coaching session available on our newest web site, www.Youniversellc.com . You’ll find the session here: http://www.youniversellc.com/coaching-sessions.html

You can also listen to a five-minute demo audio from this coaching session on the above page. And as you will see, I’m very passionate about this subject — the majority of my clients are sensitive people who have all the potential in the world, but are in serious need of an attitude to sustain them in life!

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Cool New Series: The Fire Breathing Introvert! (watch the video)

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The Fire Breathing Introvert!Introducing the Fire Breathing Introvert! We’ve been pretty busy this year working on new programs. Now we’re rolling out the first of these, a video/audio coaching series called ‘The Fire Breathing Introvert. It’s a specialized coaching series aimed specifically at introverts, and includes tons of techniques, demonstrations and coaching sessions to make sure that introverts not only survive in the world of extroverts, but also THRIVE out there!

Watch the video on the homepage to learn more about what the FBI series (as I call it) can offer you! I think you’ll be impressed: www.firebreathingintrovert.com

AND…The FBI Coaching series marks the very first time I’ve demonstrated ‘The Hemisphere Techniques” to the public. The Hemisphere techniques are a series of physical NLP ‘tricks’ for making very rapid changes in self-esteem, and socializing. These little beauties have been very well received by my coaching clients. Now you can try them too. Check  out @ www.firebreathingintrovert.com

And before I forget,  Follow Me on Twitter!  Come’on,  join the conversation already! What’s the matter with ya!

Take care!
Jon

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Anxiety Causing Medications: Even Some Antibiotics Can Cause Anxiety…

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My friend Kat gave me a great recommendation today to post a “warning” about the potential for the antibiotics known as Fluoroquinolones and Quinolones to cause anxiety and a host of related central nervous system issues.

 Dr Jay Cohen published a study in 2001 demonstrating a link between patients taking the fluoroquinolone-class of antibiotics, and adverse effects on the central nervous system. Dr Cohen’s study found that the nervous system symptoms typically were long-lasting, with the majority of respondents suffering one year or longer after taking the medication.

In addition to the clinical research, there has also been a LOT of anecdotal evidence that Fluoroquinolones and Quinolones can cause anxiety and related nervous system issues. It has been noted on many benzo-recovery message boards, for example, that people attempting to taper off of benzodiazepines often have very negative reactions to taking either Fluoroquinolone or Quinolone antibiotics.

Of course, in these cases, the individual’s nervous systems are already somewhat compromised by the benzo withdrawal; but even so, it suggests that Fluoroquinolones and Quinolones have a pretty profound negative impact. Anyone who is already dealing with anxiety related issues should discuss this with their doctor before taking these particular antibiotics.

These meds are primarily prescribed for combating infection and the have a variety of trade and generic names, incluEasyCalm Anxiety Methodding:

  • Avelox (moxifloxacin)
  • Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
  • Levaquin (levofloxacin)Factive (gemifloxacin)
  • Floxin (ofloxacin)
  • Levaquin (levofloxacin)
  • Noroxin (norfloxacin)
  • Tequin (gatifloxacin)
  • Unfortunately, many doctors are unaware of the potential nervous system problems associated with Fluoroquinolones and Quinolones, so they continue to be prescribed often. But personally, even without anxiety issues, I would be hesitant to take either of these drugs.

    Before considering taking any of the Fluoroquinolones or Quinolones, please do your research first, especially if you already have any anxiety issues. More information here: http://www.medicationsense.com

    Take care,
    Jon

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    Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Part Two: Dealing with Ativan and Xanax Withdrawal

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    Jon Mercer, EasyCalm.comA while back I posted a blog about my experience with Ativan withdrawal, and the hell I went through trying to get off of those evil little pills. I never imagined how many responses I would get! Emails poured in from people all over the world dealing with withdrawal from Ativan, Xanax and other benzodiazepines. Some of their stories sounded eerily similar to mine, but others had it even worse.

     The most common question I got after publishing that benzo withdrawal article was, “Is their anything I can do make withdrawal easier?”

     Obviously, everyone’s experience will be a little different when it comes to withdrawal from Ativan or Xanax. I can only tell you what helped me get through it. Hopefully these tips will help some of you too:

    1. My first mistake was quitting Ativan cold turkey. NEVER do that. Cold Turkey benzodiazepine withdrawal is much worse, and can potentially be dangerous (seizures, etc are possible). Drugs like Ativan and Xanax need to be tapered slowly over time (several months usually). Talk to your doctor about helping you taper off gradually.

    Also, read ‘The Ashton Manual.’ Dr. Ashton ran a benzodiazepine withdrawal clinic in the UK for years, and is an authority on safely withdrawing from Ativan, Xanax and all benzos. You can download The Ashton Manual benzo withdrawal guide in PDF format here:

    http://lonelylinks.com/ashton.htm

    2. During benzodiazepine withdrawal I COULD NOT tolerate any supplements! Even fish oil or multivitamins would make my symptoms worse. For 2-3 months I stopped taking any supplements at all, with the exception of an occasional ibuprofin for pain. 

    However, I did discover that Noni Juice seemed to slightly improve the Ativan withdrawal symptoms at times. It was actually the only supplement that didn’t make things worse. I don’t normally promote Noni juice, and I’m not affiliated with it in any way. But in my experience, it did seem to help slightly (don’t expect miracles). NOTE:  I took it only 2-3 times weekly, NOT every day.

    I also took an occasional Benadryl to help me sleep, but NOT very often. I even cut them in half most times because my system was so sensitive to any outside influence. FYI: some experts advise against taking benadryl during benzo withdrawal, but occasional use didn’t seem to have a negative effect on my recovery from Ativan. As always, your results may vary.

    3. On bad withdrawal days I stayed on the sofa and watched mindless comedies. Nothing heavy or dramatic, just unchallenging films or shows to distract me. I also kept the room fairly dark and cool as the withdrawal made me extremely sensitive to bright light and heat. I drank lots of water and avoided spicy, exotic or unusual foods–I lived off soup and crackers some days–tried and true “bland foods” were tolerated the best.

    4. After being off of Ativan about one month I began to develop an extreme intolerance to heat. Even being in sun for 20 minutes could cause my withdrawal symptoms to flair up. I also noticed the same problem whenever I showered. Hot water would irritate my skin and cause me to feel itchy and “tingly” all over, leaving me feeling fatigued. I began to reduce the heat in the shower, eventually almost taking cold showers (something I normally hate). It took some getting used to but it did help.

    5. I used guided relaxation sessions to help calm down when the anxiety got unbearable. This was back before I was producing anti-anxiety visualization sessions myself, so these days I would recommend the kinds of sessions we include in the EasyCalm series (there are three different types included).

    This may sound like self promotion (which I am certainly not above ,-), but I’m keeping it real here. These kind of visualization sessions did help me when I was struggling with Ativan withdrawal, and I’ve heard from lots of EasyCalm users who’ve said the same thing.

    When you’re dealing with severe benzodiazepine withdrawal, very few things can offer any real relief. The “usual” anxiety remedies tend to fall flat because your central nervous system is just too fried during the recovery process. But guided visualization is one thing that DOES help many people, to one degree or another. To try some of these sessions free, check out the Easycalm homepage here.

    6. I also could not tolerate vigorous exercise while withdrawing. My symptoms would go nuts! Some people say they can exercise normally during ativan withdrawal, but it just wasn’t in the cards for me. I could walk around the block or do moderate (not heavy) weights, but that was about it. Whether you can tolerate working out during withdrawal or not will be obvious after a few attempts. The symptoms will either flare up of they won’t…

     Getting off of Ativan or Xanax can really test your patience, but it DOES get better over time. Keep telling yourself that and do everything you can to keep a positive state of mind–it does help! Try visualization, and beware of too much sun or heat. Otherwise, benzo withdrawal is a waiting game. It will eventually fade and you WILL return to your old self, even if it doesn’t always seem like it when you’re in the middle of heavy withdrawal symptoms.

    Wishing all the benzo sufferers out there increasing peace and all the very best!

    Jon
    Click here to follow Jon on Twitter!
    www.easycalm.com

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    What Does Math Have To Do with Stopping Panic Attacks?

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    I’ve heard about lots of tricks for stopping panic attacks; but using math? Yep, an EasyCalm user from Denmark named Tom recently sent me this tip for stopping panic attacks (Takk Tom!). It involves doing math in your head, and believe it or not, Tom wasn’t the first person to mention this trick to me.

    I make no guarantees that this will work for everyone, but obviously, it has worked for some people. So give it a try for yourself and see how it goes.

    The technique itself is as simple as they come. The idea is simply to start doing difficult math problems in your head whenever you feel a panic attack coming on. The trick is to make the math problems (or “maths” for my non-North American friends) difficult enough that you have to really focus on them, but not so difficult that you get frustrated and give up. Depending on your skill in math, this could range from simple multiplication to more complicated division, or even algebraic equations if you’re a whiz with the numeros. ;-)

    EasyCalm Anxiety MethodI couldn’t try out this technique for stopping panic attacks properly, because, gratefully, I haven’t had a panic attack in a long, long time. But I did get a chance to try it when I was a little stressed about being stuck in traffic a few days ago. I just began doing multiplication problems like 13 X 13, and 21 X 11. My results were kind of mixed (but that could just be me). While I was doing the math problems I did notice that I was somewhat distracted from stressing about the traffic, and the fact that I was running late for an appointment.

    On the downside, I also noticed that I began feeling slightly frustrated from focusing on the crappy math problems! Full disclosure: math was never my favorite subject in school!

    But to be honest, if I had to choose between feeling frustrated by math problems or feeling the sheer terror of a panic attack, I would choose frustration every time. As I said, I can’t make any guarantees that this trick will work for everyone, but according to Tom and a few other people who have written in over the years, it does help some.

    The next time you feel panic attack coming on, give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose, and it could be a great help.

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    Ativan Withdrawal Symptoms: When a Supposed Anxiety ‘Cure’ Actually Causes Extreme Anxiety

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    Benzo Withdrawal AnxietySometimes I am truly shocked how many good people become accidentally addicted to benzodiazepine medications such as Ativan (Lorazepam).  I seem to get many emails about this subject, and unfortunately, I’ve also been through it myself.  Even though Ativan and it’s sister benzodiazepine meds are known to be dependency causing, doctors in the US continue to routinely prescribe them to unsuspecting anxiety sufferers.

    I remember well the extreme anxiety and physical pain of Ativan withdrawal; and in my case, my doctor never even instructed me to taper off of the drug gradually (like all the experts say you should), so I just quit cold turkey. Bad Idea.

    My physical suffering, panic and anxiety after quitting Ativan was like nothing I had ever known (and this from a guy with anxiety problems from age 13!). The sad fact is that most doctors are simply ignorant of the tremendous damage that benzodiazepine dependency can cause. And if you quit using them cold turkey, as I foolishly did, there is a risk of suffering life-threatening seizures.

    EasyCalm Anxiety Method There are message boards all over the Internet where former Ativan users discuss the nightmare of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Symptoms such as severe panic, agoraphobia, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, heart palpitations, muscle spasms, trouble breathing, extreme insomnia, nausea, upset stomach, depression and painful cramps are not uncommon. And the most debilitating thing of all: benzodiazepine withdrawal can easily last six to 12 months, with a smaller percentage of users experiencing extended post withdrawal symptoms that can last up to five years! Talk about living through hell!

    I wanted to point out the extreme risks involved in “popping” Ativan or other benzodiazepines as a way to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Yes, you may get some immediate relief from your symptoms, but it’s a fools paradise, and the down side is potentially devastating.

    More than once, I’ve had e-mails from former Ativan users who became dependent on the pills in as little as two weeks of regular use. Pharmaceutical companies are only now beginning to admit that benzodiazepines can cause dependency in such short periods of time. But unfortunately, most doctors are STILL not aware of this fact.

    While it is true that Ativan can be helpful in certain very specific situations to control anxiety, a certain percentage of people seem to become addicted to this drug very quickly. Other individuals may better tolerate benzodiazepines, and be less likely to become dependent on the drug with short-term use. But who wants to take that chance?

    Personally, I believe it is wise to be very skeptical of about taking any benzodiazepine. If you or any of your loved ones are considering taking Ativan or another Benzo drug, PLEASE have them visit some of the benzodiazepine withdrawal forums online (I can recommend http://benzowithdrawal.com/) and read a few of the personal accounts of former benzo users, and particularly those who became addicted very quickly to Ativan. And then run, don’t walk, away from these pills.

    TIP: The ‘Instant Tranquility’ guided visualization session from www.easycalm.com has proven effective in helping benzodiazepine withdrawal sufferers to relax. You can try the “Instant Tranquility” guided visualization here.

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    Do Anxiety and Depression have the Same Cause?

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    It’s not unusual for anxiety sufferers to also experienced periodic bouts of depression.  Anxiety and depression are different psychological problems, but they sometimes overlap.  For example, dealing with an ongoing or chronic anxiety situation can easily lead someone to feel depressed. 

    But technically, anxiety and depression affect the mind and body in very different ways.  Anxiety is normally associated with the fight or flight response and a heightened sense of awareness.  It’s as if the sufferer is on high alert all the time — unnecessarily.

    Depression, on the other hand, is more commonly associated with an extreme feeling of hopelessness and lack of motivation. And rather than feeling that they are on high alert all the time, depressed people can often feel a numbness of the senses, resulting in the inability to experience normal emotions like joy or anger, or even everyday contentment.

    EasyCalm Anxiety MethodBut sometimes an individual can experience both the depths of depression and the fight or flight response of anxiety within a single day, or even within the span of an hour. These types of extreme mood swings can sometimes be caused by a physical condition such as a thyroid disorder or diabetes, to name two common examples.

    But just as often, extreme mood swings resulting in anxiety and depression can be the result of unproductive” thinking habits.”  In the same way that we all have our daily routine and behavioral habits, over the years we also develop specific “thinking habits.”  And it is clear that certain thinking habits tend to be strongly correlated with anxiety and/or depression, while other habits discourage these problems.

    This is why the EasyCalm series focuses on recognizing unproductive thinking habits, and then initiating a new set of habits to counteract them.  What the series DOESN’T do is ask you to change your old habits.

    Trying to change or eliminate a well-established habit can be difficult. Anyone who has ever tried to quit smoking, quit over-eating, or quit anything can attest to this. But developing a NEW habit is much, much easier.  In fact most experts agree it only takes about three weeks of daily repetition to firmly establish a new habit.

    That’s why the EasyCalm series deals with establishing new thinking habits, not trying to quit the ones you already have that cause anxiety or depression. The goal is to create new habits that are not conducive to anxiety, panic attacks, depression, obsessive thinking or other emotional issues. Once these habits are in place, they effectively block the old unproductive habits, and the result is a significant increase in quality-of-life.

    While the series has proven very effective at this, is important to remember that anyone experiencing severe or ongoing depression (not just the occasional case of the blues) should see their doctor right away. While self-help techniques can be beneficial to people dealing with depression, it is always critically important to see a doctor first — especially if the depression is severe or in any way life-threatening.

    Learn More about the EasyCalm Anxiety Series

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    How Does EasyCalm Work to Stop Generalized Anxiety?

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    Generalized anxiety is probably the most common type of anxiety issue in the world, and it’s what I like to call a “lifestyle anxiety.” That is to say that, generalized anxiety not only affects your lifestyle, but it is actually caused by your lifestyle…

    You see, generalized anxiety builds up over time, through a series of small, seemingly trivial habits that are adopted. Soon, these anxiety producing habits simply become part of your “lifestyle,” and many times the individual is completely unaware they even have them!

    An example of this is breathing issues related to anxiety (shortness of breath/ tight chest feelings). These sensations can sometimes be caused by a very subtle contraction of the chest, stomach and back muscles. So subtle in fact, that you may not even be aware you are doing it. But over time this habit of tightening up the muscles in the torso can produce a feeling of tightness in the chest and even mimic the symptoms of asthma. If you’ve ever experienced breathing difficulties and the doctors can find no physical cause, you could be dealing with this “tight muscle” phenomenon (always see your doctor first for any breathing problems).

    Now, a common question I receive is, how does EasyCalm work in cases of generalized  anxiety like these?  I want to briefly explain two important ways that EasyCalm works to eliminate these issues:

     1. The EasyCalm Series (www.easycalm.com) works by changing your lifestyle in small but significant ways. It is about introducing new habits and daily routines that are NOT conducive to anxiety at all, to promote a calmer, more “take it as it comes” state of mind. Rather than trying to get you to “stop” doing something, or changing the habits you already have, the EasyCalm Series works by instilling new habits that effectively cancel out the old (anxiety causing) ones. In my experience this is THE WAY to overcome generalized anxiety, no matter how long you have dealt with it or which specific anxiety symptoms you may have. We have many, many success stories that demostrate how EasyCalm works so well in this regard.
     
    2. To explain point number two I have to let you in on a little “secret” that took me 20 years to figure out, and completely changed my life. Ready? Here it is: anxiety is not a condition, it is a SYMPTOM.

    Generalized anxiety is a symptom of an emotional imbalance in your life. And by dealing with the underlying control issues and unresolved conflict that build up over time, emotional balance can be restored, freeing you of the anxiety symptoms. It sounds pretty simple, right. That’s because it is simple, but not always obvious. Especially when some MDs and mental health practicioners still persist in the antiquated notion of referring to generalized anxiety as a “disorder” or a “condition,” even though modern research suggests this not the case at all.
     
    A good example is the obsessive mind ”chatter” that many anxiety sufferers have (obesessive thoughts). It is actually nothing but a learned habit, and by shaking up your daily routine (the series shows you how) you can replace this habit with one that is more beneficial to you. Remember, any habit you learn can also be unlearned. There is nothing genetic or permanent about a habit (even those that cause generalized anxiety). It is simply a way of thinking or acting that has been repeated often enough to become habitualized.
     
    In a nutshell, approaching generalized anxiety as a symptom, not a condition, is the key difference of our method, and it’s why EasyCalm works to stop generalized anxiety, even when many other programs fail.

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    What Is the Cause of Panic Attacks?

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    Everybody who has suffered with panic attacks and anxiety has wondered where these things come from. What is the cause of panic attacks?As an NLP practitioner, I tend to not focus on causes and symptoms, but instead focus on changes that bring positive results. In fact, NLP (neurolinguistic programming) is all about results, and doesn’t get bogged down dealing with causes for any problem, including anxiety and panic attacks.

    So to answer the question, “what is the cause of panic attacks?” I’ll give you a simple answer.

    Life.

    Life is the cause of all human difficulties. So why do some people have panic attacks and others don’t? Because we all have our own little crosses to bare, our own challenges, and things to learn. For some people this means learning to deal with anxiety and panic attacks. But no one gets a free ride.

    EasyCalm Anxiety MethodEveryone has issues they have to deal with in life, and challenges they have to overcome. Everyone. No exceptions. If it’s not panic attacks and anxiety,it  is sure to be something else: body image issues, anger problems, lack of motivation, depression, poor self-image, and so on. If there is one thing I have learned in my years of coaching and counseling it is this: we ALL have our issues to deal with.

    I understand that it’s only human to be curious about the cause of panic attacks; but at the end of the day, it is also unproductive. Trying to figure out what caused the panic attacks in the first place is a rabbit hole that we can easily get lost in. And any time spent trying to figure this out is really just wasted energy. After all, knowing the original cause of panic attacks doesn’t make them go away. That’s where results oriented therapies such as NLP come in. That’s also why the EasyCalm video series focuses on proven solutions and results through techniques and exercises developed over years of working with anxiety and panic attack sufferers.

    What is the cause of panic attacks? here’s a good answer: Who cares? The question we  really need to be asking is this:

    What are the solutions to panic attacks? Now we’re getting somewhere…

    Jon

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    How to Stop Panic Attacks: Understanding Loop-Based Thinking

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    Today I want to talk about how to stop panic attacks; and specifically, how to deal with the mental “loops” that both cause and sustain panic attacks. Psychological research suggests that as much as 95% of human thought is repetitive in nature — in other words, it is loop-based.  This discovery has prompted some notable psychiatrists and cognitive researchers to suggest that what we used to call “hypnosis” or a “hypnotic state” is actually a natural phenomenon that occurs in every human being a regular basis. 

    Hypnotic states are repetitive, loop based thinking processes. And as the new research demonstrates, we all experience these states to one degree or another on a daily basis.  For example, have you ever driven a car somewhere and once you arrived found that you could not really remember the trip or the details about what happened between home and your destination?  EasyCalm Anxiety MethodThat’s because you were in a type of trance or hypnotic state while driving.  This is a perfect example of loop-based thinking, where the mind takes one idea — such as driving a car — and focuses on it repetitively.

    So what does all this have to do with stopping panic attacks? Actually, a whole lot. Panic attacks are the ultimate example of loop-based thinking. They are a kind of hypnotic state, albeit one that is extremely negative and destructive to the sufferer.  Panic attacks begin with a terrifying image or sensation, which then begins to feedback onto itself in a loop. So the sufferer’s mind just goes around on and around in an obsessive loop, which feeds off of the original fear.  

    How to stop panic attacks? First, realize what they are, cognitive loops; then use one of several methods to “break the spell” of the panic attack by either 1. stopping the loop, or 2. introducing a new loop that is more beneficial.  Let’s take a look at these two techniques to stop panic attacks, one at a time. 

    Stopping panic attacks by halting a cognitive loop: 

    In some cases, panic attacks can be stopped very quickly by shifting your focus in an extreme way.  Although it is not always appropriate or possible to use this method, if you can get a moment alone in a private place, there are things you can do to “shock your system,” and halt the repetitive loop of the panic attack.  One method is to scream at the top of your voice, “stop!”  A loud outburst of this type can often be enough to stop the mental loop that is running (the panic attack). 

    Another technique is to shower with extremely cold water, or if that’s not possible at the moment, just put ice cubes straight from the freezer down your shirt. Again, the shock of the freezing cold water or ice will often be enough to stop the panic attack “loop,” and reset your thought processes. 

    Stopping panic attacks by replacing a cognitive loop: 

    In this method, you’re trying to start a new cognitive loop to compete with the panic attack loop that is already running.  One way of doing this is to repetitively sing a very catchy line from a song over and over and over again. Pick a song you really like, with a catchy melody, and don’t sing the whole song — just one or two catchy lines, and repeat them again and again until you feel your state has shifted and the panic attack is fading. 

    Another method is to simply repeat a short, catchy phrase.  You can say it out loud or just inside your head.  Famous phrases such as “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country,” often work, or a scripture quote. You can pick any phrase that flows easily for you and is simple to remember, and it doesn’t have to be motivational or positive — just a bland “neutral” comment is fine.    The key is to repeat the phrase almost obsessively and get into a rhythm with it, so it quickly becomes a repetitive cognitive loop, displacing the old loop — and stopping the panic attack. These are just a few methods to stop panic attacks, and you can find more in the EasyCalm anxiety video series, including our very popular 30 second breathing technique to stop panic attacks. J.Mercer, MA
    www.easycalm.com

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    EasyCalm Update: The New “Instant Tranquility” NLP Hypnosis Session

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    The  “Instant Tranquility” NLP Hypnosis Session

    Today I’m proud to announce that we have updated the EasyCalm anxiety series to include a brand new NLP hypnosis session called “Instant Tranquility.” The session works relatively quickly, using powerful linguistic “loops”  derived from NLP to calm anxiety and stress, and replace anxious and panicky feelings with a sense of optimism and well-being.

    We’ve had phenomenal responses so far to Instant Tranquility, and it is now included as a free bonus with the full EasyCalm series. But because I believe that NLP techniques are such a powerful tool against anxiety and panic attacks, I want everyone to be able to try this hypnosis session, not just those two have purchased the EasyCalm anxiety series. For that reason, I have made the entire session available free on our homepage:  http://www.easycalm.com/

    I have also put  Instant Tranquility on YouTube,  where it is rapidly becoming very popular.   I will post a link to the session below in this post so you can try it for yourself . We’re very proud of the success of Instant Tranquility, and hope to add more NLP hypnosis sessions to the EasyCalm series over the next 6 months.

    Neurolinguistic programming, or NLP, is probably the most powerful tool available for “reframing” fears, so it is ideal for combating panic attacks and anxiety. Try the session and be sure to leave a comment and let us know how well it works for you too. Great  changes have been reported by many users after only using this session once or twice. It works well for simply relaxing after a stressful day, too! 

    So even if you don’t have an anxiety or panic attack  “problem,” you may still notice it helps you relax deeply and stay in a happier state of mind. Afterward, please leave a comment, and thanks in advance for  all your  positive feedback — it is much appreciated.  

    Try the Instant Tranquility NLP hypnosis session here!

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    The Politics of Social Phobia: Does Amercian Culture Contribute to Social Phobia?

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    social phobia.jpgSocial phobia (also known as social anxiety) is a deceptively prevalent problem in society, particularly in the more “developed” nations of North America and Western Europe. Interestingly, social phobia is less common in many so-called “developing” or “emerging” countries of the world, where there is often a greater emphasis on family and social interdependence, but significantly less emphasis on individualism and the pursuit of wealth.

    Because I’ve been traveling a great deal recently, this discrepancy has caused me to wonder about the role culture plays in social phobia. For example, in the United States, individualism is a very strong part of the culture.  The archetype of the “lone cowboy” out on the range, completely self-sufficient and living life on his own terms, is a very pervasive theme in American culture. It is something deep in our collective psyche.

    But in the Scandinavian countries of northern Europe, for example, the concept of the individual is considerably less emphasized in society.  Perhaps because they are stable socialist democracies, countries like Sweden and Norway place greater importance on social interdependence and cooperation. And although social phobia does exist in these countries, it is interesting to note that they tend to have significantly lower rates of this problem than either the US or the UK (to name two examples of more individual-focused countries).

    All this suggests that society and culture are at least partially to blame for the high rate of social phobia in the West. On the surface, this would seem to make common sense.  After all, social phobia is a fear of “society,” and undeniably, certain societies in the world are easier to fear than others(!).

    I want to be clear that I am NOT suggesting that social phobia isn’t an emotional problem that can affect individuals, no matter where they live. I’m simply pointing out that certain societies (and I’ll single out American society to make my point) contribute to the prevalence of social phobia by fostering cultural values which glorify the lone individual, and downplay the importance of the group and social interaction. 

    The competitive, hyper-capitalist environment of many American cities encourage this “every person for themselves” attitude. Is it so surprising that our cities are breeding grounds for social phobia, social avoidance, and other anxiety issues?

    You know the old saying: “it takes two to tango.”  And when it comes to social phobia, there are two distinct elements involved.  One is the phobia or fear on the part of the individual.  The other is the society that is feared. In my mind, both undoubtedly play a part in social phobia.

    Politically and culturally, some societies appear to encourage fear more than others. Conversely, some societies encourage cooperation and connection more than others. My friend from South America has lived in the US nearly 4 years now.  When I asked her impression of America she had a lot of praise and admiration for the country.  But interestingly, she also pointed out, “there’s one thing I have noticed though — I have never seen as many lonely people as here in the United States. There is something in the culture that seems to discourage people from relying on each other and trusting each other.  That part of America makes me sad.”

    We’ve all seen the kind of people she’s talking about: disconnected, frustrated, seeing themselves as separated from (and in some cases oblivious to) the culture around them. And these underlying feelings of alienation and competition run so deep in society that even those of us who don’t want to live that way are affected by them. Like it or not, the culture becomes a part of who we “are.”

    I’m not ranting against the United States — far from it.  But I suppose I AM ranting against aspects of our shared culture, especially what I term “hyper-individualism,” or the political and cultural threads in society that discourage cooperation, compromise, interdependence, and trust. I believe these same threads are responsible for the high rate of social phobia in the US as well.

    As the poet said, “No man is an island.” We are social creatures by design, and our culture should reflect this obvious truth. And yet, too often our politicians and cultural leaders seek to divide and conquer by playing on fear and mistrust. These attitudes filter down through society, encouraging paranoia, loneliness and even social phobia.

    It’s not about being on the right or the left, or about conservative or liberal policies — it’s about recognizing the fundamental truth that we are NOT desperate, fear-based little creatures living alone in the world.  We are connected to and interdependent on those around us, and we thrive in the world by virtue of these connections with others.

    I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the United States has the highest reported rate of social phobia in the world. Our culture has somehow managed to equate interdependence with “weakness,” while at the same time, discouraging compromise and cooperation — the pillar stones of any great culture.  Even those of us who don’t have social phobia can find ourselves pulling back from others more than we probably should sometimes.

    When individuals develop social phobia and other anxiety problems, all of us suffer.  We become less productive as a society when all of our members aren’t living up to their potential.  Perhaps it’s time for a complete overhaul (or at least a re-think) of our cultural values.  For now, the best thing we can do as individuals is to make it a point to connect with people every day — and not just our family and friends.  If we want our culture to be more social, WE have to be the change we want to see, and be willing to reach out to people and show a little trust.

    Social phobia may not completely disappear in societies that show more cooperation and interdependence, but research shows that it is dramatically diminished. Let us each do our part to help stamp out the isolationist “lone wolf” culture that allows social phobia to flourish. We’ll also be making the US a friendlier and more “connected” place to live, which can only be a good thing…right?

    Jon 

     

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    New Research: Fish Oil for Anxiety and Depression is Beneficial

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    anxiety_fish_oil.jpgMany people are taking fish oil these days to help protect themselves from heart disease and a wide variety of other illnesses.  Research has shown that omega-3 fish oil could be of the most useful natural supplements known to mankind, promoting good heart health, easing joint pain and arthritis, and improving overall health.

    But new research suggests that fish oil is also useful for certain types of anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.  For example, one recent study by Andrew Stoll of Harvard Medical School found that higher dosages of omega-3 fish oil were useful in controlling the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Here’s an overview of that study, and other recent research showing the benefits of fish oil for anxiety and depression:

    http://www.alive.com/1147a3a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=768

    In fact, there is beginning to be an enormous amount of evidence suggesting that omega-3 fish oil promotes both a healthy body and mind. While this research itself might not suggest that fish oil is a “cure” for anxiety or depression, it does appear to be beneficial for both of these conditions, and could make it easier for anxiety sufferers to recover.EasyCalm Anxiety Method

     With all the other health-related benefits of taking fish oil, it especially makes sense for people dealing with either depression or anxiety to talk to their doctor about a daily regimen that includes a healthy dose of Omega three fish oil.  Note: if you’re considering taking larger doses of fish oil (such as those used in some research studies) it is especially important to clear this with your doctor first.  Although it is a 100% natural substance, higher dosages are fish oil can have side effects, just like any other supplement.

    Personally, I’m a big fan of fish oil, and I think it has played a role in helping me to recover from the anxiety and panic attacks I used to live with. How much of a difference the fish oil has made I can’t say, but I do believe it has helped promote a more stable mood, enabling me to deal with the ups and downs of life better.

    However, in my experience is very important to use quality brands of fish oil, containing high amounts of DHA. Of course, these capsules are more expensive than the standard “cheapo” brands you can  find at retail outlets, but when it comes to fish or oil, quality really does make a big difference. The cheaper brands have relatively low levels of DHA, and are not processed to completely filter out harmful contaminants that are sometimes found in fish (Mercury being one example). Omegabright is one brand I can recommend — it is the same brand used in research studies by prestigious universities, including Harvard. You can read more about research conducted using Omegabright on their web site:  www.omegabrite.com

    More Information about Fish Oil for Anxiety…

    Jon Mercer
    www.easyalm.com

    EasyCalm Anxiety Method

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    Minimize Your Holiday Season Anxiety

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    Well, the holiday season is upon us once again and I hope wherever you are, you and your family have a great time– with a minimum of stress and anxiety! 

    I don’t think I’m giving away any big secret by saying that many people find the holiday family get-togethers stressful. And in the past, we’ve talked about ways to minimize the anxiety that is sometimes inherent in these situations.

    If you’re one of the many people who find the holidays stressful, it can be comforting to realize that you’re not alone. And whatever you do, DO NOT blame yourself about it.  Many, many people find the holidays a bit tough to deal with.

    My advice is to keep in mind that these holiday get-togethers usually only last a couple of days, and then it’s back to “real life.” And if all else fails, have a little holiday drink to help you relax — just don’t go too far with it. Family get-togethers can quickly turn into a nightmare when too much alcohol is added into the mix, increasing the general level of anxiety for everyone. 

    Like most things in life, a little bit of “holiday cheer” is a good thing, but too much is worse than none at all!

    Happy Holidays from all of us here at EasyCalm!
    Jon

    www.easycalm.com

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