Your symptoms are flaring.  You’ve read the previous posts, so you know that panicking will only make your symptoms worse.  You’ve done the Emotion Log and the Thought Log, so you even know some of the thoughts behind the panic you’re feeling right now.  Maybe you’re thinking something like, “This will never end,” or “I’ll never get better.”  Maybe the thoughts are swirling around so fast that it’s tough to even identify them.  You are in full panic mode, and you want out.  Your chest is tight, your muscles tense, your breathing shallow.  You would do anything to escape this feeling, and you’re even beginning to realize the feeling is just as awful as the actual physical pain.  You want relief. 

Here’s how you can push the un-panic button.  Find a place where you can be alone for ten minutes.  If you can lie on your back, go for it.  You might even cover yourself with a blanket, as that tends to be a soothing feeling for most people.  It’s time to soothe both your body and mind, so you need to feel safe, as comfortable as possible, and quiet.  Close your eyes, and follow your breath for ten breaths.  Watch the breath go in, watch it go out, and notice the feeling you have inside your chest.  Now move the breath a little deeper – no forcing, just gently expand your ribcage further this time.  Think about your ribs expanding to either side.  After a few of these breaths, allow your breath to fill from a lower point in your pelvis.  Imagine it filling your entire pelvic region before it comes up into the chest and ribs.  If you feel like yawning or taking a quick, full breath, follow this instinct.  Then move back into the deeper breathing. 

As you feel more comfortable with this healing breath, allow your mind to move to a prayer or mantra.  Make sure that whatever you say to yourself is kind, loving, compassionate, and gentle.  You might try, “I am safe right here.  I don’t need to do anything but breathe.”  Or, “The breath is relaxing me and bringing healing energy into my body.”  Anything that feels comforting to you is perfect.   

After ten minutes, the breath will have done its magic.  You will feel more relaxed, released from the panic, and ready to step back from the thoughts you were thinking as the panic escalated.  You might even take a minute to write down what you were thinking and look at the powerful negative statements that create your panic.  You now have a tool to use against these statements, so you no longer need to fear them.  You are taking back the power of your own emotions.   

Posted on February 18, 2008 at 6:26 pm

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Categories: Feel Confident and Love Yourself, Relieve your Pain & Stress
Tags: Brooke Castillo, depression, energetic healing, essential self, Finding Your North Star, Interstitial Cystitis, lack of libido, life coach, Life Coaching, low libido, Martha Beck, Martha Beck life coach, Meadow DeVor, North Star, pain, painful sex, pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor muscle spasms, pelvic floor muscles, pelvic floor therapy, repeated yeast infections, sexual difficulty, sexual discomfort, The Vagina Dialogues, vaginal burning, vaginal discomfort, vaginal disorders, vaginal itching, vaginal pain, vaginisumus, vestibulodynia, vulvar dsyesthesia, Vulvar Pain, vulvar rawness, vulvar stinging, vulvar vestibulitis, Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome, Vulvodynia, vulvodynia blog, vulvodynia coach, Vulvodynia Support, vulvovaginal disorders

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