We may not have the solution THIS TIME for when anxiety sets in, but looking back and choosing to respond differently NEXT TIME is a good learning experience.  It allows us to release anxiety and also teach our children different ways of responding to difficult situations.

The following is one of my client’s stories about how she found solutions for the NEXT TIME anxiety sets in…

This Incident Informed Her Next One…

I had to go to the doctor with my daughter.  I had all 3 kids with me (6, 4, and newborn) and I was 5 minutes behind. I tried to call the clinic to let them know but there was no answer.

When I arrived, I discovered it was the wrong clinic and that the clinic I was supposed to be at was 10 minutes away. Anxiety set in fast & hard. I immediately started sweating, my heart racing, and I was irritable.

I bundled the confused kids into the vehicle and flew in the direction of the clinic.  Almost immediately we got stuck in stop-and-go traffic.

Body Responds to Stress

A massive headache started, and my muscles were super tense. My anxiety disguised itself with irritability, and an inability to think clearly.

I first tried to call the clinic again. No answer.

I needed to distract myself rather than feel.

Anxiety-Related Actions

I chugged my water, then I grabbed for whatever food I could find which happened to be animal crackers, which I really dislike. I ate one after another. Then I drank, drank, drank more water in an attempt to distract myself from the fact that I was feeling incredibly helpless and angry with myself. 

I did make it to the clinic and they did see us, for which I was incredibly grateful. As I looked back on my day, I knew what I needed to do the next time I had an appointment:

Anxiety Action Plan:

I wasn’t able to pay attention to what I was feeling and doing throughout, but it was very interesting to look back and make decisions about what I would do the next time. 

1. Now that I have 3 children, I need to give myself more time to get to appointments.
   1. On days with multiple appointments, I need to see if someone else can watch 2 of the kids.
   1. Double-check where I am going and GPS the amount of time it takes to get there.
2. Have something in the car that appeals to my tastes for moments when I want to eat something.  It needs to be nonperishable so something like dried fruit, nuts, jerky, rice crackers
3. Breathe – I notice that when I breathe in and out through my nose, my heart rate decreases and I am able to think more clearly.
4. Pay attention to what I am saying to myself
   1. I made a mistake.  I will learn from it.
   1. I will do my best to get there
   1. I will call someone and have them give me a different perspective

We may not always know what to do at the moment. But journalling our experience or talking it through with someone else helps immensely. They can help us see what we could do instead of giving in to anxiety.

If you would like to learn some of the ways you can reduce anxiety, download my FREE EBOOK ​From Harried to Hopeful, 5 Simple Steps to Release Fear & Anxiety! ​ and step into a new way of doing life 🙂

Don’t let anxiety rule your life anymore. Reach out and step into FREEDOM!