Need Advice or Suggestions

[KAMO]

My husband called around 3:30 eastern time and told me he was going to have to work late. He works for a national phone company and they had a cut cable. He just called again and said it was going to be at least 9 or 9:30pm before he got home. I have been having an anxiety attack every since his first call, took some medication, and did Lucinda's breathing techniques, but the anxiety hasn't gone away. Talking to myself hasn't helped, so what can I do now?

[Clarysage]

I have to try an calm myself somehow. I find the breathing to work very well. I may have to do it several times an hour. I say the statements after the breathing, I am calm, I am relaxed, I am peaceful. I listen to the relaxation CD. I walk on my treadmill. I'll read something positive. I'll write out everything I am feeling and experiencing. I'll pray. I do the exercise from the session 3 where you write the negative thought and re-frame and re-write it in the positive. Distract my self with an activity like doing the dishes or laundry or ironing. Watch a funny movie. Do something nice for myself to help me feel better. Take a bath and fix my hair. The calming self talk is very critical. This I must do for myself.

[tina martin]

These are excellent suggestions. I'll add: writing, a big help to me. Notebook and pens, safety blankets. Physical activity is excellent, even distracting yourself with housecleaning, vacuuming, etc. Cooking is a favorite activity. Exercise is very big for me. Put on music and I can do anything.

Am also big into meditation. It takes patience, some exploring perhaps on YouTube, deciding on music or CD's such as yoga nidra, or slow breathing in silence, eyes closed. This requires patience, time, discipline, consistency. The effect builds on itself. Wish you the best.

[KAMO]

Thanks both of you for the advice. He didn't get home until around 10pm and I was a mess until then. I'm definitely going to try some of these next time this happens. You are such sweet people.