A large amount of people when having job interviews, first dates or sitting in crowded spaces get anxiety. I notice this myself with my heartrate increasing and on the spot identify it as an unnecessary fight or flight response, but don't know how to counter it. What could be some countermeasures for us being burdened with this?
Posted Mar 21, 2016, 2:11 PM UTC
Excellent question.
What you may find really helpful is to - if you can remember to do so at the time - see this situations as opportunities for awakening.
You can only go so far meditating on a cushion in a quiet, serene environment. The gains to be had are ENORMOUS if you learn to spot these times as opportunities to practice meditation.
Remember that "anxiety" is only just a name that we put on a cluster of jittery energies that are triggered at certain times. These energies are always present, even now, in either a dormant or active state.
When they become active, as in a first date, interview or whatever else, recognize them as NOT YOU. Recognize that they are just vibrations. Just an experience. They don't mean anything. They just are what they are. Just breathe! Breathe! Even as I write this, I'm doing it myself because I'm sitting in an airport and the collective field here is SO ANTSY. I'm just breathing and breathing.
When the energies come up, you can either start to identify with them and get worried about a potential outcome... or you can just breathe with them, feel them, let them unfold, process them, observe them. Notice how they change with each breath, it's very interesting. It moves around your body as it continues to unravel like a ball of yarn. Every breath takes you deeper and deeper in.
And then when you find yourself next in a quiet, peaceful environment... your meditation goes deeper. It's so good.
An equally excellent answer... I am struggling with anxiety and am trying to follow this path... thanks for great advice...
That is great advice. I tried it today and it does help, however my nasal passages are kind of blocked and it makes it harder.
Are you aware of the specific thoughts you're reacting to? Are you aware that you're reacting to your thoughts? For example, if you were at an interview, but you fully believed you were hanging out with an old friend, how do you think your body would respond then?
Make friends with the thoughts that you react most strongly to. Get to know them, without judgement for their effect on you. Ask them questions. They're trying to tell you something, after all. What is their message? If you obeyed them, what would you be doing and how would that benefit you? And is that how you want to lead your life?
Ultimately, practice acknowledging these thoughts without reacting to them, in increasingly provocative situations, starting in your own head at home, and working up to your first date or interview.
Putting more energy into awareness instead of reactivity.
Hold your breath until your heart rate slows. Takes balls, but it works.
[deleted]
[deleted]