Ask Coach Chris

[falconea1]

Thanks Chris, appreciate it.

[Lis20]

I recently started this program. I am on week 5. This week I have been having extra anxiety about going to a family celebration this coming weekend. I rarely go to (extended) family gatherings because of my anxiety/depression issues. I avoid seeing them as often as I can. I haven't seen them in years. I do visit with my parents and sister regularly and I am okay with that if visits are short. In the past when being around aunts, uncles, cousins I always felt like I was not having a good time. I would look around and see that everyone else seemed to be having fun. Adults drinking and partying. Kids playing and yelling and screaming like kids do. I felt like I never fit in. I felt uncomfortable trying to connect with people/family. Everyone is always nice to me, but I just don't know what to say to them. I don't know how to act. I really don't want to go to this event this weekend and I would back out except that I am going with my sister and her kids and I don't want to disappoint her. She seems excited about going and seeing the family. Does anyone else get these feelings around their family? I feel bad that I don't want to be a part of their lives. I don't want them in my life. They are all great, wonderful people, I shouldn't feel this way. I envy their lives, maybe that is part of it. I always think that everyone else has it better than me. I just want to know that I am not alone with these bad feelings. I really hope this program helps me to change my thinking because my thinking stinks!

[coachchris]

Hi Lis,

Thank you for your post and reaching out.
This is a common occurrence for many people. Like you said we are negative, over-thinkers and very sensitive so the combination create anxiety and confusion. I can hear you really trying to un-layer the emotions you are experiencing. Can you recall when this all started? Was there an event that ignited the anxiety?

Please feel free to private message me and I would be happy to have a free coaching call with you if you would like to chat.

How far are you in the program?

Here to help,
Coach Chris

[coachchris]

Greetings from the Coaching Team:

We're excited (really, more than excited) to invite you to BootCamp: the NEW accelerated recovery track for the Combatting Stress and Depression Program program.

BootCamp Basics include:

* A Weekly WEBINAR presented in three segments. The first is an instructional time full of the most important tools and truth from your the program program. Then a Question and Answer time followed by an opportunity to observe coaching in action! This will be the best hour of your week!

*One FREE personal coaching session with a veteran StressCenter Coach. Here we get to speak with you on a more personal level and customize the program to fit your story. Just this one personal coaching session will accelerate you to peace and power.

*15 NEW BootCamp e-lessons delivered to your email every other day. These are all of the proven Hints and Helps we have gleaned over years of coaching and are guaranteed to get you feeling better FASTER!

BootCamp is perfect if you're brand new to the the program program, need a refresher, or your just looking for a 30 day recovery program.

The continuous weekly Webinar, one personal coaching session and 15 e-lessons is just $99
If you are interested in enrolling reply to this message, email bootcamp@stresscenter.com or call 888-480-6785.

Here to help,
Coach Chris

[coachchris]

I was talking with a neat lady this morning and she was sharing with me a devotional book she received back in the 90's. The reading for this morning challenged her to think of the beginning of September as a fresh start, the beginning of a New Year. Many of us feel that way. The school buses are running again, vacations are coming to an end and we're getting back into routine. This means for many of you recommitting to taking better care of yourself. Now is the time to put YOU first. Start to work your program one lesson a week. Set realistic goals. Grab a walking buddy and move that body. It will balance out the adrenalin and get you feeling better faster. Try some lavender oil on your feet at night to help with sleep, studies are showing it's as effective as ativan. Get a massage and release some of the tension in your neck and head that is creating that tight feeling you are obsessing about. Put yourself first and don't feel guilty about that! Call me, lets talk and get a plan together for your new year! 888-480-6785

Coach Chris:)

[coachchris]

Great news for healing from depression and why community/connection is so very important. Hugs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drv3BP0Fdi8

[coachchris]

Let's talk about grounding meditation. Many of us have racing thoughts that are very hard to exit out of. We're like Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh when he gets over-reactive,controlling and panicked. We need to become more like Eeyore: slower,calmer an observer of our thoughts. Of course we do not need any of Eeyore's pessimism. We have plenty of our own negative thinking-thank you very much.

So how does grounding meditation help us slow thoughts down? When we think of grounding we're coming back to using our 6 senses. Where is your body making contact with your surroundings. What are you hearing, seeing, smelling or tasting.

You can practice this exercise anywhere and anytime you feel you need to slow down negative thoughts. Begin by using your 2-4 belly breathing that is taught in your relaxation cd. Inhale for a 2 second count through your nose. (Make sure your breath is coming from your diaphragm or right below your belly button) hold for a count of 2 and then exhale through your mouth for a count of 4. Focus on how the breath feels going through your nose, across the back of your throat and expanding into your lungs. Feel the breathe leave your mouth, hear the sound it makes and notice your body releasing tension.

Continue this breathing as you look around and name 5 objects that are shaped like triangles, then move onto 4 things your body is touching. Describe how it feels to have your purse on your shoulder, your hands gripping a tool or your feet snuggled into your slippers. Then name 3 noises you are hearing, notice two smells in the air and name one thing you are tasting.

As you practice this grounding meditation you will find yourself becoming more and more your safe person and one who is able to control your own thoughts and feelings. This takes practice. You will find your mind will want to wander off, gently return to your breath and begin again to use the grounding techniques.

Message me and let me know how you're doing. We are here to help.
Coach Chris
bootcamp@stresscenter.com

[coachchris]

It's Monday-that means I will be in the chatroom from 9-10 pm EDT to answer any questions you may have. I hope you can join us! Chat soon!

[coachchris]

Is it really October 1st????? I honestly thought of doing some Christmas shopping today and if you knew me that would be totally out of character. I like to shop when there is snow on the ground but the older I get the more I enjoy getting my shopping done so I can relax and bake more. That's probably not a good idea either because then I just eat more I continue to work on being a good planner. This week my coaching has been full of calls talking to over-whelmed moms trying to do it ALL. Many of you are working hard at using your calendars, simplifying schedules and meal planning. Keep it up! Make room in your day to take care of you. When our children were little I always gave myself and hour in the afternoon right before they got home to rest up and get ready for the next half of the day. I had to mentally prepare for the rushing through the front door; book bag's flying, mouth's chattering and tummy's growling. It was crazy. I know many of you feel that way. Take a breath-be thankful you have healthy little bodies to take care of and lighten up. Everything is OK. You got this:)

[Tristyh]

Hello Chris,
I am new to this program and I am barley on my lesson 4 in the program and I'm trying to continue to stay strong with my anxieties and agoraphobia as well as severe fear of vomiting.
I had about 2 major episodes while I am on this program, but I haven't really conquered all the steps for each week since I have a Toddler that is going to be 3 in December and a New Born of 2 months. Both boys so my hands are very full. I try to commit to the program but I also have online schooling I'm enrolled in. So on top of everything I am trying to control my days with no anxiety. It all started as I had gotten sick back in 2009. I was never the same since. But just recently after I had my first born, I started to get anxieties and panic attacks.
So my question is, How can I deal with this phobias and anxiety attacks while having 2 little ones and not showing them what I go through. I want to be the best mother out there and I want to help support my husband with the income because its not enough for us to move on our own, and moving on our own terrifies me as well because I feel like I need to have that safe person there with me. Mainly my safe person is my husband but when he is busy working it is my mom or father. I'm not sure how to handle this attacks and obsessive thinking im going to get sick. Because this world has new viruses and so many new different cases that are in the US. Terrifies me the most. Any insights or help?