Recovering from anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia is hard... but you might be making it harder than it has to be! I often hear my students and clients say that they feel like they need to wait until they're recovered to do certain things. These things might be traveling, getting a new job, getting into a relationship, moving, or even starting a family. And looking back, I felt this way about some things, too! But I really want to challenge this belief in today's episode.
Because if I didn't challenge this belief in myself, I don't know if the recovered Shannon would be talking to you today. If I waited to be recovered to do the scary things, I might have not recovered. So today I want to talk about why waiting for anxiety recovery isn't helpful, and is actually holding you back from anxiety recovery! Let's get started.
Anxiety Recovery: I Need to Wait to Do (Fill in the Blank) Until I'm Healed. How About No!
Power Comes From Taking Healthy Action
So many listeners are looking for the same thing: the insights and skills to overcome the uncomfortable symptoms and sensations of panic attacks. And I hear you loud and clear! But I want to remind you of something that's really important. Taking healthy action means doing the thing when you're scared, and proving to yourself that you're not in any danger. So when you wait for anxiety recovery to happen before taking action... you'll probably find yourself waiting for a really, really long time! Because healthy action comes before anxiety recovery. Taking the small steps is what will get you there, friend!
And if you're wondering where to start when accepting the uncomfortable symptoms and sensations during a panic attack, my masterclass on overcoming the symptoms and panic attacks is the perfect place to start! In the masterclass, I'll teach you what to do when the symptoms pop up, how you can start to feel safe in your body again, and how you can find freedom from the symptoms and panic attacks. And I promise, I don't just tell you to do the stuff you've probably heard a million times - like journaling, doing more breathing exercises, or making changes to your diet.
Breaking Free From Resistance
Resistance is something many people with anxiety experience. It might look like avoiding certain places or situations that cause you to feel anxious...or even resisting the thoughts and sensations you experience during a panic attack. But resisting anxiety, panic, and fears only gives them more power. And I want you to ask yourself... What are you resisting? And what are you fighting? What are the things you want to do in life? Maybe the things that you're resisting are the things that will help you to heal!
In order to break free of this resistance, you need to start by letting go of the idea that you can't do certain things until you've recovered from anxiety. Because it's simply not true! Experiencing anxiety and panic doesn't mean that you're not safe. And hopefully, this conversation is able to provide you with the boost of courage you need to do the hard thing!
Developing A New Outlook and Insights
By taking small, healthy steps and shifting the way we look at anxiety, we can start to completely change our relationship with anxiety. And ultimately, these are the actions that will lead you to anxiety recovery, friend.
I want to challenge you to change the way that you're looking at anxiety. Because in reality, healing happens in the moments where we allow ourselves to achieve the things we didn't know we were capable of. When we say that we need to be recovered from anxiety to do certain things, we're putting the cart before the horse! Because anxiety recovery happens when we do the things we're afraid of.
Don't forget to tune into the full episode for all of the goodness! And until next time, friend, keep taking healthy action.