“I like the cover,” he said. “Don’t Panic. It’s the first helpful or intelligible thing anybody’s said to me all day.” ~ Arthur Dent via Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
It’s been a tough year… tough quarter… tough month… tough day…
No matter why you’re feeling panicky, the one thing I know to be true is it’s not helpful. Easy to say, not as easy to STOP feeling.
- BREATHE – simplistic? Perhaps it is, maybe when you’re feeling panicked you need to find something you can control. You 100% can control your breathing 🙂 so that’s my first tip. Fill your lungs, hold for a second, the exhale as deeply… don’t forget to repeat.
- MOVE – my experience is to change my mind, I usually have to move my body too. Get up and move if you’re starting to feel panicked. If you can; think of something other than what you’re worried about while walking! Bring someone along and chat.
- DO – find something you can take action on RIGHT NOW (ok after you breathe and move). Pulling yourself into the present and doing something will help alleviate your feeling of panic.
…if you’re still panicking try listening to David Bowie’s Panic In Detroit this live 1976 version is one of my favorites. Of course feel free to substitute one of your favorite songs.