Program Demo and Overview

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The Midwest Center
for Stress & Anxiety, Inc.
106 N. Church St Suite 200
PO Box 205
Oak Harbor, OH 43449
Tel: 419 898 4357
Fax: 419 898 0669

By Carolyn Dickman, Midwest Center Education Director

VOLUME 2, Number 8 November 2002

WHAT'S BUGGING YOU?

Do you have a constant running mental list of things you "need" to do:

That shirt that you can't wear until you iron it? Unkempt nails in need of a file? Cleaning out the car? That piece of wallpaper you've been meaning to glue down. A letter you owe a friend, or a phone call? The lock that you have to jiggle everyday in order to get it to work?

As I resolve the big issues in my life, I seem to become more aware of small irritants. I once read, "Elephants don't bite." The short article made the point that it wasn't the big things that get us. It's the knats, mosquitoes, bees, etc. that bite. I guess I used to focus on the big things and become afraid the elephant might bite me. Now I see that the big things are usually beyond my control and I only devote time to how I respond. What wears me down and out are the small things. It's like being bombarded by popcorn. IRRITATING!

Tammy (on our tapes/Baked Pears) told me that every time she picked up the fallen leaves of a plant that was on its last legs; she felt the body symptoms of irritation. One day in a fit of spontaneity she grabbed it and tossed it in the wastebasket. Now never mind that she apologized to it for the rest of the day, she rid herself of something that had been bugging her for over a month.

Think about how many things you are tolerating right now that you could resolve by tossing it out. Make a list: Clothing that doesn't fit (perhaps like me-you've been waiting for them to fit for 10 years). Books you haven't (and probably won't) read. Magazines from 1989. Uncompleted crafts... the baby is 6, she doesn't need the afghan anymore.

How about all those omissions that create irritation. I often don't have the right foods to pack a healthy lunch. (Talk about self-sabotage!)

What about the mis-beliefs? I once believed that when the phone rang I was duty bound to answer it! Believe it or not... (I bet I'm not alone in this.) I have left the

continued...

"The Midwest Center is committed to providing the individual with cost and time efficient cognitive behavioral based solutions - solutions that foster strength, character and self-empowerment."

DON'T PANIC!

•	Accept the feeling, it can't hurt you.
•	Give yourself permission to feel anxious.
•	Don't over-breathe. Breathe slowly through your nose.
•	Calm yourself with positive self-talk.
•	Let go. Just float and flow.
•	Distract yourself, it is only anxiety.
•	Use the adrenalin in a positive pursuit.
•	Don't let a bad day scare you.
•	Let time pass. IT WILL GO AWAY.

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