How to "float" with anxiety

samcat · Post by **samcat** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 4:39 am

I have listened to tape 8 about a dozen times and still have no clue what Lucinda means when she talks abut "floating" with the anxiety. Can someone please explain this to me?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:10 am

Hi Samcat,
I didn't understand that statement for a long time myself, but what that means is pretty much how it sounds, which is to just relax and go with the feeling...just allow it instead of trying to stop it...kinda like when the anxiety presents itself, just let it be...don't freak out or try to make the symptoms stop. I used to try to stop the feelings when they would arise, and I would find myself wondering where it came from etc. I learned to "float" with the feelings and I noticed I was no longer as afraid of the symptoms. I found that panic attacks don't even bother me anymore...they are not scary to me as they were years ago. I have learned to "float".

Hope that gives you a better understanding.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:09 am

'Floating' with anxiety is much the same as allowing it to run its course, without fighting the sensations. Imagine yourself in water floating on top of it- your body is not tense but relaxed. You 'allow' it to just be without the need to fight the water, or otherwise you just sink. You don't win over on anxiety by getting more anxious about it- you allow it, float with it and let it run it's course until one day it no longer remains a concern. When you accept anxiety for the good it does in your life and befriend it, there's no more reason to fight- just float.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:08 pm

hello, all - ok, i'm not in lesson 8 , but this "floating" notion makes sense, for sure ! - basically, just go with the flo, instead of "fighting the current" , so to speak - i get this, BUT, my anxiety seems very specific, a public speaking phobia - now how the heck can i just let the panic attack "float" and do its thing, when i am trying to speak in front of people, while they are all staring at me and waiting to hear what comes out of my mouth ! ! - and in that moment, the panic is causing symptoms of a choking up of the throat, and a very embarrassing, shaky, shaky voice ! ! - what then ? ? mj

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:18 pm

Claire Weekes wrote a book about this called "Hope and Help for your Nerves". It's pretty old, but I am sure you can find it. Very popular.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:12 am

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the good feedback. Terri, I called Barnes and Noble and they actually have the Claire Weekes book, so I am on my way to pick it up. I have read many good recommendations on the forum about it. So now I know what floating with anxiety means: the hard part comes in doing it!! But I am sure I will learn if other people have.

Thanks again to everyone for taking your time to help me.

MJ, sorry I don't have any great ideas for you. Maybe you should just 'fess up and tell the audience you are nervous--almost every one is when doing public speaking, then go ahead with your talk. They'll understand if you sound a little squeaky. I have found that most people are very understanding because they're not as calm and collected as they look either. They may actually relate to you better if you show them your vulnerable side--anyway that is what Lucinda says.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:22 pm

MJ-
Can you practice public speaking in a non-threatening place and build up to more threatening places? Kind of like a hierarchy of exposure?

For example:
speak up at your church in a meeting, then speak for a few minutes in your local elementary school, etc. Build it up as you go.