Ask Coach Chris

[coachchris]

My Thanksgiving Day Prayer for all of you.
I know for so many of you the Holidays are hard, so know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
You are not alone. We are always here for you.
Coach Chris
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name."
1 Chronicles 29:11-13

[Philippians48]

Very good-- thank you, Coach Chris!
And happy thanksgiving to you, too!
God bless you and the great work you do....

With prayers,
Father B

[coachchris]

I am hearing people having a lot of travel concerns with the holidays being here. You do not have to spend another Christmas being fearful, anxious and avoiding travel. We can get together a plan to help to move forward little by little. Baby steps add up to big changes and it will be the best gift you get this year. You're worth it.

[Texast9018]

Hi there,
For years now I have had this constant tension in my stomach, almost as if I am holding onto it. I sometimes visualize someone holding my stomach up for me and that relieves the tension, but only for a short time.

Do you have any suggestions for this problem?

[coachchris]

Hi Texas,

Thank you for your great question. Many of us have sensitive stomachs and hold a lot of tension there. If you have StressCenter program I suggest you practice the relaxation cd and focus on the 2-4 belly breathing. Try and do the relaxation exercise 3 times a day and make sure your breath is coming from your lower abdomen. That will really help relieve a lot of that tension. Yoga can help with this as well.

If you have the Stress Program I would be happy to have a free coaching call with you and talk further about what is creating this tension and how to continue your healing journey.
Warmly,
Coach Chris

[Mary B.]

Hi Coach Chris,
I am starting the program for the second time after 6 yrs and I am having a very hard time accepting this. I had this idea that having gone through the program and having the knowledge and experience under my belt would prevent me from ever being in this nightmare again. I'am being hard on myself for finding myself in this situation again. I should have known better and prevented it, etc. Panic attacks started again about 1 yr ago and I tried to struggle through them with the belief that I knew too much about the disorder to ever fall victim again and before I knew it a whole miserable year went by before I decided to start meds and this program again. I did seek out a Therapist and tried to do some of the things I learned like breathing and relaxation but it was not enough. My obsessive catastrophic thoughts were overpowering any progress I made. So here I am in desperate need of support and guidance as I struggle to survive everyday trying to muster up as much courage and strength to be a somewhat descent mother to my 3 young boys. I m feeling the pressures of the holidays as I struggle to give them a great Christmas and hosting family on Christmas Day. I am a wreck just thinking about how I will be able to pull that off with all the shopping and cooking and cleaning-OMG! I have 0 energy! I hope my kids have not been negatively impacted by all this. I have not told them. Trying to pretend as much as possible that all is well. When the truth is that I feel like my life is in hell. I apologize for the negativity but this is where I am right now. Would luv to hear from others who can relate. Best wishes to all and happy holidays

[coachchris]

Hi Mary,

Thank you for your reply and reaching out.
I am going to send you a private message and see if we can schedule a free coaching call.

Until we talk, it's important to remember that our obsessive thinking always lies to us and brings confusion. Try and switch very quickly into your positive truths and under-reacting.

I would be paying close attention to lesson 2 and lesson 14. Practice your 6 steps and breathing through the adrenalin. Try not to fear and practice breathing through it.

Talk soon,
Warmly...Coach Chris

[Mary B.]

Hi Coach Chris,
I am still learning to navigate this support forum and just seeing your reply now. Thank you! I am reading that book " Feeling Well" and trying to catch myself thinking distorted thoughts. Not easy but I can clearly see how we can get caught up in this vicious cycle of lies. Thanks again and I look forward to talking soon.
Best, Maria

[taswier]

I hate my job, but been at it for 30 years. Recently, changes have made it worse. Don't know whether to stick with it for the next 5-10 years or not. It is a sales job and all the goals/targets are getting to me. I know there are people a lot worse off than I am. I have been a top performer all these years but I have lost motivation. I don't know if it is due to the fact I hit 30 years or if I hit 50 years old or what. My family life is great, but I hate my job. I have a wife and 2 children, daughter 13, son 12, so I have to continue to contribute to their upbringing. I need help in figuring out if I should find another job or if I should hang on as long as I can. I find myself losing sleep thinking about work and what more I should do tomorrow to sell more. I am drinking more to alleviate the stress. This is no way to live and I need help. Thanks.

[Mary B.]

Hi Taswier,
Sounds like a difficult decision. My thought is that if you are that unhappy and its effecting your well being beginning to look for a new job would alleviate some of the stress. Feeling more in control of your life will help too. You never know what will come along. You may find something that you love or at least like better than your current job. Is it possible to take some time off to decompress and strategize your next move. Talk to someone about it maybe it will help you decide. Good luck!