Going back

Whether it's going back to school, to work or to your own place after the holidays, people with anxiety often find it difficult. I'm no different.

 

After spending a week and a half at my parents', today was time to pack up my stuff and two cats and head back home. Work tomorrow.

While I was driving, the familiar thoughts started to appear: 'What if I have a panic attack?', 'What if I can't go to work?' 'I feel sick.'

What did I do? Before my whole body started to tense, I took a breath. A deep breath and relaxed my shoulders as well as I could. I've noticed many times that that small moment, taking a breath, could make the difference between having a panic attack and not having one.

I'm still anxious about tomorrow; breathing didn't macigally make it disappear. But  I'm not panicking. I'm able to function. Which is what learning to live with anxiety is all about.