How I got over Anxiety

I experience anxiety. Here I said it out loud and stayed alive. Unfortunately, many people feel ashamed to share their anxieties with others, it is like a red flag. You think you’re the only one who is going through this nightmare. Oh well…….think again.

I was sure I had some defect and nobody can understand what it’s like, but I was wrong, big time. Someone I know once told me, that a lot of people have been taking anti-anxiety pills. I was surprised to hear that as I didn’t know anything about it. Also, in general, I am not in favor of taking pills. Only as a last resort.

Nevertheless, I did some research. I went to the library, read a couple of books, and came to a few conclusions: First, I wasn’t a lunatic…….. Second, there are many people who suffer from anxiety, yet hide it very well. When you look at them you’ll never believe what they are going through inside. They look calm and confident. The last, but the most important thing is, it can be treated, and medication is not the only option.

Still, the symptoms of anxiety are different from person to person. Some people experience severe symptoms, while other have minor symptoms. As for me, I was always more sensitive than others. I worried a little bit too much. But the anxiety came out of the blue.

I was not prepared for it, and I didn’t know how to cope with it at first. Anyhow, one day my husband and I went to visit some family, he was driving and I was sitting next to him, suddenly I felt some unfamiliar fear. In my mind, I was sure we going to have an accident.

I automatically moved my right leg forward, as I was trying to press the brakes. Even though I was sitting in the passenger seat….. I was so embarrassed, although my husband didn’t even notice, since he was concentrating on driving. Anyway, this is how it started. I used to feel that way occasionally. It came and went like a unwelcome guest………

However, I moved to Canada and for a while it was OK. Then I was driving on the highway one day, all of sudden my hand started to sweat, and a sense of fear overwhelmed me. I held the wheel so tight as if something terrible was going to happen.

My hands ached yet I didn’t want to loosen my grip. I wanted to exit off the highway, but my spouse who sat next to me, persuaded me not to do so. I felt this way for approximately one year, not all time, but still pretty often. I have to say usually when something frightens me, I do not avoid it, I confront it.

But, in order to continue driving in Canada, I had to get a Canadian driver’s license. I was not sure I would make it. But despite my anxieties, I successfully passed the tests. I kept driving on the highway, with the encouragement of the my love of my life 🙂

Before every trip on the highway, and sometimes even while driving, I suffered from stomach aches. At the same time, I began to meditate. I started with 20 minutes a day. At first it was a little bit hard to concentrate, but over time it has improved. I felt better after a few days of meditating. The more I persisted, the better I felt. Then I knew I found the right formula. Thank God I got back control of my life.

Finally, I must say, from my experience, if anxiety is not treated as soon as possible, it gets worse and reduces your quality of life. In addition, some people can develop depression.

Something very important to keep in mind is this: although meditation is great  for our soul and for relaxation, it does not help everyone, and sometimes medication is necessary.