Stress Center Peer Support

Hi all!
So the past few months have been extra stressful...working with family..getting married and everyone putting their input into my business....arguing with my fiance because of stupid reasons(we are both stressed at taking it out on one another)...its just been hetic....But last night topped it all off

Last night I was at work at my ice cream store and had some lady complain. The complain was something that I had no power over(our prices) and she was screaming at me like I could change something...I tried to handle it as best as I could but after 5 minutes of her screaming I passed the window to my brother to see if he could help her more than i could. Well she screamed at him also..I started having an aicery attack...and honestly I probably havent had one THAT bad in over a year.


It was crazy..my heart was racing like crazy....I was trembling head to toe....my arms were twitching..I was crying...but I tried my best to float through it...after the initial shock then I was soo cold I put on like 3 sweatshirts and well kept working lol. I kinda feel like a failure in one point because I had a panic attack again......but the other point.. I did float through it..maybe not Perfectly..but I really did try....this morning though I kinda feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders..its strange!! lol

I have been reading Panic away its an online book..and also freedom lucida does also) I never really tried to actually do it because I was so scared of the body sypmtoms.


does anyone have any advice on how they "float" through there anxiety???

Thanks eveyone!!

Hello,

Sorry you had to go through this fiasco with some crazy customer. It may have been this lady was taking out some other frustrations she had on you guys. And though it's not fair to be a 'target' like that, you don't have to own her problems.

As far as floating with anxiety, I think the idea is to kind of 'rock with it' while it is there. After accepting "ok I feel anxious" you just allow it to 'be' and then get about the work of breathing deeply and slowly, talking compassionately to yourself "it's ok, it's just anxiety, this crazy lady has the problem and I don't own it". Get busy doing other things than focusing on the anxiety and in time it reduces- because you aren't feeding it any more stress.

I hope that helps. Floating is kind of after accepting the anxious feelings. It's there, you feel anxious, so ok I'll just let it be and not increase the symptoms. I know what this is and I can feel better because I know how to handle it.

As far as customers complaining irrationally, you could say things like "I'm sorry you feel that way but if this isn't affordable then there is little I can do for you". Or say "What would we have to take away from our product to make it affordable to you?" Or, "Is screaming at me going to lower the prices of our products?" Bottom line, don't go to her level and fuel her up by participating in her problem. Take care of yourself first and expect that the weirdos will come around every once in awhile. And just handle them calmly and assertively.

Take care & best of luck.