Stress Center Peer Support

Hi Beth-

I found what helped me with the heart rate fear was wearing a heart rate monitor. I can see at a glance that feeling crummy doesn't always equal increasing heart rate and that when I feel like I'm about to explode my heart rate is no where near as high as I imagine it to be.

I freaked when the trainer at the gym told me to get my heart rate to 120 bpm for 20 minutes. I almost quit the gym on this account. But.. I didn't. I am too persistent to let this win. Now I exercise (cardio) about 5-6 times per week for 1+ hours at a time and I don't truly even notice my heart beating, etc. The physical release and the endorphin hit is fabulous for my anxiety. Start out in a "safe" place like a gym where you can just hop off the machine at a whim. Keep at it- even when you have a panic attack. Get right back up on the horse and stare it down. The good that exercise will do for you is amazingly centering, not to mention all the physical benefits.

llinda,

Thank you for your words of success. I just ordered the program and am awaiting its arrival. I am not working at this time because I left my job, moved out of state as my marriage fell apart and at 37 have moved back home. My anxiety and depression have completely taking over my life. I am starting from scratch, literally taking everyday as it comes.

So with my savings slowly dwindling I was very reluctant to order the program until one day I reliazed, this is my life I am dealing with. My life and my sanity, and I need to do this, there is no other option for me and so I did.

Even now with my acknowledging the severity of my condition, gathering as much information as I can and trying to completely understand it and myself, and just by me taking these few first steps I can once again begin to have hope. So thank you, to you and everyone else who has succeeded and will be an inspiration for my success.

Well everyone I started doing some research on heart rate and reasons why it goes up. I decided to go get me a ski machine. It was at a garage sale for like 10.00.

This is alot like walking. I figure I can get my exercise that way.

My heart rate has went up but I have been reminding myself that it needs to be up at to heal my body.

So far so good. I did get scared and did stop the first day. But got back up and did more off and on that day.

Thankyou all for your words and such..

I hope everyone else with this issue can begin to feel cofortable again.

It is a hard road and a scary one but worth it.. I am looking into yoga tapes this week also.

Anyone else do yoga?

I really like the relaxation cd so I thought Yoga would be similar.