Fear Of Flying – The Worst Flight Ever

If you’ve read my book you probably know that when I started having panic attacks years ago I developed many phobias. I suddenly had a paralyzing fear of crowded places such as buses, trains, and flying became very difficult for me. For me it wasn’t so much a fear that we were going to crash, rather, it was a fear that I was somehow going to lose control and flip out – that I would freak out and just have to get outta there, but of course I wouldn’t be able to and I’d be stuck.

I’m sure millions of you out there know EXACTLY what I’m talking about.

Once I had conquered my panic attacks and slowly faced and conquered these fears I had developed, I no longer had any issues with flying. Maybe a little nervousness here and there, but nothing really worth mentioning. I’m finally back to my old, curious self who finds the science behind flying fascinating. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering so I’m a certified nerd

That being said, one thing I’ll never enjoy is a really bumpy flight, especially on one of those really small planes. Well that’s exactly what happened on the last flight I took just a few days ago.

In this video I share with you the story of this bumpy flight, and how what the captain and flight attendants told us beforehand shaped our experience, and how this relates to you and your anxiety.

I don’t want to give away what happens, you’ll have to watch the video, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy this real world example of how important it is to keep a positive attitude and outlook on things as you go through your daily life.

Cheers,
Steve

Overcoming Anxiety Without Medication

If you’re visiting this website, odds are you’ve probably been prescribed at least one or two forms of medication to treat your anxiety or panic attacks.  It’s a pretty typical scenario that tens of millions of us have gone through… you start having anxiety issues, end up in the Emergency Room thinking you’re having a heart attack or just losing your mind altogether, and the doctor usually sends you on your way with a few happy pills (Valium, Xanax, etc.) and a prescription for antidepressants.

How’s that working out for you by the way?

Considering you’re visiting this website, I can probably guess it’s working as poorly as it did for me.  During my 5-year struggle with anxiety, I went through this song and dance many times with the same result.

Anxiety medication never helped me, and in every single case, it made things worse.  It blurred my line of reality, made me further question my sanity, and the side effects were horrible.

The truth is this:  Anxiety medications only treat the symptoms, not the causes of anxiety.

Overcoming anxiety without medication is all about better understanding how our brains work and how we communicate with ourselves.  It’s only when you grasp that you are causing your anxiety can you begin to work to free yourself from it.

In this video I discuss my own experiences with a dozen different anxiety medications, and offer a new perspective on medication which I’ve learned from a very famous best-selling author.

Cheers,
Steve

With the fast pace of life and the pressures of society these days, tens of millions of us find ourselves dealing with anxiety on a daily basis.  Whether it’s the fledgling economy, job and family stress, or just struggling to keep up, it seems all of us have plenty to worry about.

Here are a couple of tips to help you learn skills for coping with anxiety without leaning on pills for relief.

Tip #1:  Can You Control What You’re Worried About?

So many people these days are constantly flipping out over the bad economy.  They spend the day checking their shrinking savings accounts and 401k’s over and over again, making themselves sick with worry.  But what good does it do to worry about something you can’t control?

None!  So try to let go of constantly reminding yourself of such situations.  Stop checking to see what the stock market’s doing, or checking the balance in your IRA.  If you can’t do anything about it, your time and emotional energy are much better spent elsewhere.

Tip #2:  Understand That You Are In Control Of Your Worry

Just because something is lousy and you’re unhappy with it doesn’t mean you HAVE to worry about it.  Seriously!

We all have free will to choose to worry or not:  it’s a conscious decision.  So your car broke down and they can’t fix it for two days.  Though you may feel justified in feeling stressed out about your car, is there really anything that will come from worrying about it?

All worrying does is drain you both mentally and physically, and puts you into a terribly negative state of mind.  It does nothing to solve your dilemma – especially if it’s something out of your control!

So remember, you have the ability to choose what you worry about.  You don’t have to worry about something just because you always have in the past – it’s never too late to retrain your brain to be more positive!  It may take some practice and may even feel a little weird at first, but it’s a change that’s well worth making.

Cheers,
Steve

How To Cure Panic Attacks – Breathing Tips

When it comes to actually learning how to stop anxiety naturally in their lives, many people make the same mistakes over and over again.  This is especially true when one experiences a panic attack.

You, like many others, probably do not realize what is happening to your breathing during a panic attack. Some people report shallow breathing, while others hold their breath completely in response.  This is a common reaction and is often referred to as “the stress response.”  What accompanies this reaction is the usual symptoms of rapid heartbeat, cold sweat, and all those other terrible sensations caused by panic attacks.

I’ve taught different breathing relaxation techniques before that involve holding your breath and tensing your muscles, and these are very effective.  However, it also helps to try to slow and deepen your breaths while panicking.  You see, during an anxiety attack, your breathing becomes very shallow, rapid and is based in the chest.  What you want to do is to try to bring the breath up from your abdomen or belly.

Now all sorts of things are going haywire during a panic attack, and your breathing is just one of them.  However, most people notice this shortness of breath and rank it as the scariest part of panic, as they fear they may be hyperventilating and could die or pass out.

Something that’s interesting if you really think about it, is what most people say about why they’re worried about passing out or fainting.  It isn’t that they fear that they’ll be physically harmed or even killed if they fall over.  No, what they truly fear is the embarrassment of passing out in front of others, and what their peers will think of them.

If this is something you’ve felt before, try not to worry, you’re not alone.  Tens of millions of others share this same fear.  Luckily, anxiety is very treatable and there are many natural anxiety remedies that I can help you with.

Cheers,
Steve

How To Stop Anxiety Naturally

Today I’m going to share  a very important tip for learning how to stop anxiety naturally that anyone can apply to their life right now.  When I say naturally, I mean without medication, be it over the counter or prescription.  All of my strategies on how to cure panic attacks and anxiety and depression are natural in this sense.

Get active, get outside, get back to nature

By this I don’t mean quit your job, sell all your possessions, and go live in the woods.  No… what I’m talking about is spending a little bit of time each day connecting with the world around you.  It’s very important for all of us to get outside and into the fresh air, and spend some time doing… whatever!

This could mean getting up from your desk and walking around the block a few times, or leaving your house and doing the same.  Oh it’s cold outside?  Put on a coat!  Humans were never meant to sit cooped for hours stuffed inside a house or office.  Our bodies need physical exercise and movement, otherwise all sorts of stuff starts to go wrong with us.  Our joints get stiff, our lower back starts tightening up, and our muscles literally waste away when not used.

And that’s just the physical side of it, the mental side can be much worse.  Inactivity and being sedentary is absolutely terrible for our psyche.  We are not computers who can spend 24/7 just being intellectual – we MUST get physical activity and some degree of exercise, or we throw everything way out of balance.  You see, exercise is one of the most effective natural anxiety remedies out there.

In my personal experience, the times in my life when I’ve felt most awful, anxious and depressed, were also the times when I was in my worst physical shape.  Of course I’m not saying this was the only factor, but it was certainly a major one.  And I can see this in action in my life today.

If it’s been a few days since I’ve worked out, or if I’ve been stuck inside for a while due to lousy weather, I start to feel antsy, anxious and go a little bit stir-crazy.  But if I can get outside for a nice long walk, jog, bike ride, or drag myself to the gym, I always feel soooo much better afterwards.

As many people have said before, exercise is nature’s antidepressant, so prescribe yourself some today!

Cheers,
Steve

Natural Anxiety Remedies?

I’m sure you’ve seen ads for natural anxiety remedies – especially online or on late night infomercials on TV.  Many of these take the form of pills made up of a collection of different plants, herbs, extract and who knows what.  But do they really work?

Do natural remedies for anxiety really exist?

Yes and No.  As someone who suffered from crippling anxiety for five long years, here’s my take on it…

No pill – whether prescription, over the counter, or some wild herb concoction can magically cure anxiety.

It’s as simple as that.  I’m sure I’ll get a lot of flack for this post, but it really is what I hold to be true.  How can I be so sure?  Because I tried countless different prescription medications and over the counter supplements that were touted to be highly effective for anxiety relief.  But no pills ever were able to stop my racing mind, worrisome thoughts, relentless panic attacks and terrifying “what-if?” thoughts.

In my experience, prescription medications made me feel numb, muted, and basically sucked the life right out of me.  I still felt freaked out and anxious all of the time, but I was lethargic, lost all traces of excitement and zest for living, and all sorts of stuff that had been working fine suddenly did not… yeah, I’m talking about impotency.

Herbal supplements didn’t make me feel numb or lethargic.  They didn’t make me feel any different at all.  All I can recall experiencing was some indigestion and horrendously smelling burbs.  They certainly didn’t cure my panic attacks or my fear of public speaking.

So what does work?

This is a more complex answer, as I’m sure you already know.

After all, if a magic pill cured your anxiety, would you even be visiting this web site?

There are plenty of natural remedies for anxiety, and many of them will surprise you.  Simple things like staying properly hydrated and getting enough exercise can do wonders for you.  Learning how to quiet your mind and develop a more positive outlook on life are absolutely essential to conquering anxiety, but these take a bit of effort and most people get easily discouraged and go back to the medication… only to find it doesn’t fix the problem.

I can tell you from the perspective of someone who’s been through it all with anxiety that you can get better without any of the quick-fix pills you see advertised.  And the kind of healing I’m talking about is the type that lasts for the rest of your life.  Learning to become comfortable in silence, and understanding and believing that you are in complete control of your thoughts and actions.

It is possible, believe me. 

My life is living proof, and it’s the reason I wrote my book and created this website – to help others take the same journey to finding freedom.

So stick around a while and check out the website, I’ve filled it with useful information to help you out.  If you like what you see be sure to

Coping With Anxiety

Coping with anxiety is something that everyone struggles with, even those who don’t suffer from panic attacks or social anxiety disorders.  But what can we do in our daily lives to help ease the pain and frustration caused by anxiety?

First off, it’s important to know that EVERYONE suffers from anxiety.

Sure, some people may experience more uncomfortable levels of anxiety and worry than others, but even those whom you think have their lives “all together” and seem to not have a care in the world still do experience anxiety.  Which leads us to the next point.

It’s perfectly normal and natural to feel anxious every now and then.

If you think about it, we come programmed with built-in anxieties that help us survive.  Does the sight of a hungry lion growling in your direction make you feel anxious?  Good – it should!  Some levels of anxiety before taking an important test or giving a key presentation are also okay.  Healthy low levels of anxiety can help us to better focus on the task at hand and give it our best effort.

Not all anxiety is bad.

Think about the anticipatory anxiety you have before you ride a roller coaster or do something that scares you, and that rush of adrenaline and elation you feel once it’s over.  Or how about the anxiety and nervousness you feel when you’re on a first date with someone you’re really interested in?  This kind of anxiety is the spice of life!  It lets us know and feel that we’re truly alive, and helps us grow beyond our comfort zone.

So just remember that some anxiety in our lives is actually okay and can be quite healthy.  It’s only when we let our worries get out of hand that anxiety becomes a real problem that needs to be addressed (believe me I know what it’s like!).  So keep these points in mind and it will make coping with anxiety in your life much easier.

Cheers,
Steve

Cure Panic Attacks

A lot of people ask me, can you really cure panic attacks forever?

I am always confident in my response with a resounding yes!  But most people, especially those who suffer from panic attacks and extreme bouts of social anxiety, are skeptical.  So let me explain why this is possible…

While there really isn’t a firm definition on what exactly causes a panic attack, I can tell you from my very own experiences as well as many others’ that I’ve met and spoke with over the years that the true cause is in how you think.

When you begin to experience severe anxiety problems such as panic attacks, the cause is psychological in nature.  Anxiety is not a disease where one day you physically develop a tumor and bam – you’re sick.  No… when it comes to anxiety there are a number of factors that can come together and cause you some huge problems.

Stress (who doesn’t have it), lack of physical activity and exercise, having a pessimistic or depressed attitude and outlook on life, poor diet, not staying properly hydrated, not taking breaks and giving yourself a chance to slow down, laziness and inactivity, isolation, avoidance, low self-confidence and over-indulging in alcohol – all can be HUGE reasons you’re experiencing panic attacks and problems with anxiety.

The good news is all of these things can be overcome naturally, without the need for a magic pill that doesn’t work anyway.  Slowly adapting to new ways of thinking and living will forever alter your mindset and quality of life.

Facing and overcoming your fears will boost your self-confidence and prove to yourself that you truly can do anything, and that you are only limited by your thoughts.  You will learn to be more in tune with your body and take better care of it, and will become comfortable in silence and less dependent on mind-altering substances such as pills or alcohol.

Making these powerful changes in your life and adapting a new way of thinking are not a temporary fix that will go away.  Instead, your life will be forever changed for the better and you will free yourself from the shackles of anxiety and living in a state of fear and constant worry.  This is no quick fix, this will last and is not simply a means of coping with anxiety in your life.

So if you want to cure panic attacks in your life, the first step is to understand and accept that you have the power to do this.  Next, learn all you can about how to apply all of these changes I’ve discussed in this post.  Check out the resources on this website and in my anxiety book.  I suffered from extreme social anxiety and panic attacks for five very long years and know how hard it can be, and have poured my heart in soul into this stuff to help people just like you.

You can do it!  Get started with your new life today…

Cheers,
Steve

Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Symptoms and Treatment

Many people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks report the same symptoms and receive similar treatment.  First let’s talk about what it feels like to have a panic attack.

A panic attack begins with scary racing thoughts, which triggers some very upsetting physical sensations.  Imagine every alarm system in your mind and body being triggered at the same time.  An overwhelming feeling of loss of control and fear that you might be dying or having a heart attack, or will lose control and do something terrible to harm or embarrass yourself or others.

Pounding heartbeat, profuse sweating, trembling, dizziness, paranoia and feelings of surreality or being disconnected from reality are all very common symptoms of panic attacks.  These scary symptoms frighten us even further, and work to send us deeper into a state of panic.

The good news is that a panic attack can’t last forever, with most fizzling out after just a few minutes.  Personally, I never experienced one that lasted longer than thirty seconds or so.  But it’s the fear of having another panic attack that is the hardest part.  We begin to withdraw from society and avoid more and more social situations, which can result in deep depression and feelings of isolation.

Even better news is that panic attacks and social anxiety are very treatable.  While traditional treatments include antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, most patients really don’t see much improvement in their quality of life.  The problem with these medications is that they don’t fix the causes of anxiety, stress and depression – which is how we think.  Instead, the medication only works to numb or damper the physical symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks.

I struggled with panic attacks and extreme social anxiety for five very long years.  I tried all the traditional treatment methods including medication and talk therapy with very disappointing and frustrating results.  I set off on a journey determined to get my life back no matter what it took.

What followed was years of reading, learning and experimenting with many different approaches, techniques and philosophies.  I applied things from physical workouts and yoga, to meditation and breathing relaxation techniques, to systematically facing and overcoming my worst fears, and learning how to quiet my mind and be comfortable in silence.

Once I got my life back I put together a book to show others exactly how I did it, and how they can do the same.  So if you suffer from the miserable symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks and are frustrated with traditional treatment methods, spend some time on this website which is loaded with tips and advice on how to find peace of mind without having to rely on medication or traditional therapy.

Cheers,
Steve

How To Relax At Work When You’re Overworked And Stressed Out

Let’s face it, most of us are stressed out at our jobs and it’d be nice if we knew how to relax naturally while we’re at work. “But I don’t have time!” I can already hear you saying it, and the truth is, you have to make time to relax! Let’s think about the “I don’t have time” for a minute.

If you’re so busy with work that you don’t have time for anything else, then how on earth do you make time to eat, use the bathroom, or sleep? It’s all about priorities folks. One constant is the amount of time we have each day, but it’s totally up to us how we use that time.

So your boss has given you a mountain of work and you think you’ll have to work nonstop to even make a dent in it. So, you work nonstop, get completely stressed and freaked out, and end up working overtime on the task, and often turn in something that isn’t quite perfect. Sound familiar? It does to me, I did this for years before I snapped myself out of this pattern!

Something we all need to understand is that when you overload your brain with stress, the result is a very unproductive brain. Let me give you an example. You walk into the office in the morning and your boss hands you an enormous project to complete by the end of the day.

If you’re like most people, you immediately go into panic mode, and the rest of your day is spent hunched over your desk cranking out the work. Your neck gets stiff as a board, your eyes get all bugged-out, and at some point you realize it’s been four hours since you ate or used the restroom so you probably should do something about that. This is the absolute worst way to work!

Everyone’s productivity and effectiveness goes down as stress and fatigue are increased. We do our most effective thinking when we aren’t stressed out, so we need to learn how to relax in the workplace especially under tight deadlines. So the first step is simply to take breaks. I don’t care how busy you are or how looming that deadline is, every 30 minutes, get up and away from your desk for at least 5-10 minutes.

Your mind needs a break, and it simply cannot go full speed ahead all of the time. You need to take your foot off the gas at least a couple of times an hour and get away from the work. This gives your mind a chance to relax and focus on less intense tasks, and gives your body a much needed break as well.

Every couple of hours be sure to get outside for at least 15-30 minutes as well. I don’t care what the weather is like, you were not meant to live caged up in an office all day, so get outside and get some fresh air. It will really help to wake you up and make you more alert, and walking around will increase your heart rate and circulation, giving you a natural boost of energy.

And any form of exercise is one of the best ways to destress. It’s also vital that you keep yourself properly hydrated and remember to eat! When we get hungry and our blood sugar drops, most of us turn into barely functioning talking monkeys. Drink plenty of water, munch on healthy snacks, and don’t overdo it on the coffee.

Follow these tips and you’ll find it much easier to relax while you’re at work. As an added bonus, you’ll get more work done in less time because you’ll be keeping your body and mind refreshed, which will increase your productivity and effectiveness. This will allow you to get more work done in less time, all without you losing your mind and freaking out. How about that for a change!

Cheers,
Steve