This issue includes...
1) TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
2) YOUR ANXIETY TIP: Eight Simple Ways to Cope with
Holiday Gatherings
3) TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
4) READER COMMENTS
5) CONTENT FOR YOUR WEB SITE OR E-ZINE
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1) TODAY'S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
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"The day you are different, everything will be different."
--Unknown
============== YOUR ANXIETY TIP ================
2) Eight Simple Ways to Cope with
Holiday Gatherings
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The holidays are just around the corner. Here are some
easy, simple tips to help ease your anxiety during holiday
gatherings.
1. Smile, Smile, Smile! A genuine smile increases your
production of serotonin, the "feel-good" hormone. Smiling has
been proven to
relax you and put you in a better mood. It's
a natural anxiety-buster!
What's more, smiling bonds us with others. It makes us
appear friendlier, more interested, and more appealing. Babies
as young as three weeks old already recognize smiling as a
bonding behavior.
So, smile and show us those pearly whites!
2. Give Yourself Permission to Feel Bored. Let's face it --
social gatherings can be a drag at first. It can take several
hours for the mood to build and the "fun factor" to really
kick in.
Don't leave the party simply because it's a little boring at
the moment. Allow yourself to simply BE. Sometimes that
can mean allowing
yourself to feel bored for a while
and
realizing that it's OK. Wait it out.
Remember, a party's success is a group effort. It's not all
up to you.
Gatherings that start out slow usually pick up once the
meal is served, the
music gets lively, or the guests have
a
few hours to unwind and
get to know each other better.
You might be surprised at how much fun you'll have if
you stay!
3. Help Out. Offer to arrange tables, serve food,
take
photos, or another helpful task. Helping out is
a great way
to keep busy while making the party
more enjoyable for
you and the other guests. It's also a great way to meet
people!
4. Show Interest in Others. A simple way to feel less
anxious is to take your focus off of your anxiety and move
your attention outward. Show interest in the people around
you.
Maybe you've always wanted to ask your grandma how she
and your grandpa met. Maybe you've seen a co-worker in
the hall and always wondered in which department she
works. Maybe you'd like to know how your neighbor
keeps his lawn so green. Make eye contact and simply
ASK.
5. Find a Fun Niche. I love animals, so whenever
I go to
a party I enjoy spending time with the four-legged
members
of the household, as well as the human
ones. :)
Take some time to play with the pets, peruse the bookcases,
admire the artwork, check out the music collection,
or enjoy
the garden. In addition to the enjoyment you'll get from doing
these activities, you'll get the opportunity to bond with others
with similar interests.
6. Take a Healthy Snack. Holiday meals can
be a real
challenge when you're working to reduce
your anxiety.
Although fried foods, refined white flour products, and sugary
treats are yummy, they can spell anxiety when eaten in large
quantities, or not eaten in proper combinations.
Take a healthy snack in your purse or jacket as a back-up
plan, just in case there aren't healthy alternatives to choose
from at the party. I take a granola bar containing fiber, whole
grains, and lots of protein with me at all times, just in case.
The snack can also tide you over when you've gone three
hours or more since your last meal. If you feel self-conscious
about eating in public, go outside
to eat. Or excuse
yourself
for a few minutes and eat in the
bathroom.
7. Share Something about Yourself. Think of one fact
you'd like people at the gathering to know about you
that
they may not already know.
Maybe you want
to share the fact that you got an "A" on
that term
paper. Or that you love science fiction movies.
Or that you get nervous at parties. :)
Share something that
shows
who you are now, and make
sure it's something that
you feel
comfortable sharing.
Speaking up gives people an
opportunity to know you
better and strengthens your bond.
By the way, don't wait for people to ask you questions. Speak
up. While some people will ask you about yourself, others
will wait for you to offer information about yourself because
they've been brought up
to think it's rude to ask you. Strike
up a conversation and
be yourself.
8. Balance "Group" Time with "Me" Time. Spending many
hours in a group setting can feel
overwhelming, especially
when you're not used to
it. Take a break and give yourself
some time alone every few hours.
Take a walk around
the block. Do a few minutes of deep
breathing. Call home to check on things. You'll appreciate
your group time more when
you take
occasional breaks to
help you stay grounded.
Try one -- or several -- of these tips at your next holiday
gathering. Get ready to have some fun!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deanne Repich is the Director
of the National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc., a
former
anxiety sufferer, and creator of the Conquer Anxiety
Success Program. The course is a "take-action" self-study
program that guides you step by step through over seventy
practical strategies for overcoming anxiety. The course, our
newsletter, and other helpful resources are available at:
http://www.ConquerAnxiety.com
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3) READER COMMENTS
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"I suffer from social phobia and I have been receiving your
emails since I was diagnosed with this condition about
2 months ago. Although I was just diagnosed, I have always
known that I had social anxiety – since I was a child in fact!
SO that diagnosis was simply me hearing it from a third party
and giving me the encouragement I needed to learn more about
this illness.
Yesterday, my psychotherapist suggested that I share my
secret anxiety with my mother – during my therapy it has
come out that in many ways I live in my mother’s shadow
and am plagued with anxiety about it. She said that this
support is what I need to take the next steps in my recovery.
I am also scheduled to talk with a group of 4 on Monday who
also experience social anxiety.
I say all of this to say, that when I saw your tidbit of the day
about “coming out of the closet” about your anxiety, it felt like
the stars were aligning and I WAS indeed on the path to recovery.
Thank you for being so honest and candid about your experience.
It makes it easier to accept my own condition and the reality that
I AM NOT ALONE!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Ayanna from Georgia
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4) TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
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5) CONTENT FOR YOUR WEB SITE OR E-ZINE
==============================================
Need some fresh content for your web site or e-zine?
You now have permission to reprint these Anxiety Tips
articles on your web site or in your e-zine as long as:
a) Each article is printed in its full form with no changes.
b) You send a quick e-mail to editor@conqueranxiety.com
to let us know where you'll be publishing.
c) You include the following byline at the end of each article:
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deanne Repich is the Director
of the National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc., a
former
anxiety sufferer, and creator of the Conquer Anxiety
Success Program. The course is a "take-action" self-study
program that guides you step by step through over seventy
practical strategies for overcoming anxiety. The course, our
newsletter, and other helpful resources are available at:
http://www.ConquerAnxiety.com
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Copyright 2001-2005 by the
National Institute of Anxiety and Stress, Inc.
900 E. Pecan St., Ste. 300, PMB 305
Pflugerville, TX 78660
All rights reserved
Article copyright November 18, 2003
Revised November 16, 2005
Disclaimer: All material provided in this newsletter
is provided
for informational or educational purposes
only. No content is
intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment.
Consult your physician regarding the
applicability of
any opinions or recommendations with respect
to
your symptoms or medical condition.
==============================================
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