Panic – And Breathe……

Sometimes it Feels the Nightmare Will NEVER End?

September 20, 2018September 20, 2018Paul Harris

“Light and darkness create an opposition, yet depend on each other just as the step taken by the right leg depends on the step taken by the left.” – Sekito

Last week was a real struggle; I thought I was doing OK, and I was on a bit of an upward roll; but then the wheels completely fell off.

When this happens it is like a high speed crash, you hit rock bottom with a spectacular thump, and literally have to scrape yourself up off the floor.

So what happened? What went so terribly wrong? Read more →

Time Pressures and Amended Goals.

September 11, 2018September 11, 2018Paul Harris

One of my biggest anxiety triggers is time pressure. Most people will be able to relate in some way to this because modern life is run at a fast pace, and we don’t seem to be able to take a break.

For me most of the time pressure came at work, I was snowed under and never felt as though I was on top of the workload, I always seemed to be playing catch-up. E-mails were the biggest problem for me because the time taken for people to respond was pretty quick. It is the speed of modern communication that causes a lot of additional stress at work because people can respond almost instantaneously, or jump on the phone as soon as they have seen your e-mail (sometimes without reading it properly…..)

The pressures of time also spread to my home life; working Monday to Friday, it only left the weekend to do homey things, such as cleaning. I had so much I needed to squeeze into a weekend that it was Monday before I even knew where I was. Read more →

Time to Set Some Serious Goals

August 10, 2018Paul Harris

One of my biggest problems has been feeling lost, and having a distinct lack of direction. I have ideas, and know what I would like to do, but it all feels so far away and overwhelming.

I have decided that I need to try and set some goals that I can focus my mind to working towards.

“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.”

– Muhammad Ali

One trigger for my anxiety is time, and feeling that I never have enough time to do everything, so I am going to try and keep these goals fairly open to start with and see how I go. Read more →

Fear and the Giant Green Rabbit.

June 29, 2018Paul Harris

FEAR:

An unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety of someone.
The likelihood of something unwelcome happening.
A mixed feeling of dread and reverence.
Be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful.
Avoid doing something because one is afraid.

Fear and anxiety go hand in hand.

It’s hard for most people to understand how it feels to be so scared of something that you are unable to function, that is why it is hard for people to understand anxiety.

Dr Karl Albrecht (listed in the top 100 thought leaders in American business) believes that there are ONLY five types of fear: Read more →

Anxiety and the White Knuckle Roller Coaster Ride.

May 11, 2018Paul Harris

I’m not sure I always feel like I’m in the seat. Sometimes I’m only holding on by one hand and flying out behind the roller coaster. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t feel that way. – David Morse

Everybody experiences stress in their lives, and life is always full of ups and downs; how you deal with these challenges is important to your health, both physically and mentally.

In the past I would have said that I was pretty good at riding the rollercoaster of life, but since I have been struggling with anxiety and depression the ride has become terrifying, and I often feel that I am just going to fly off the rails and crash into the abyss.

When you suffer with anxiety and depression you forget that life has its struggles and that anxiety is a natural reaction to some situations. It is very difficult to gauge what is a normal level of stress and how much is attributed to your condition. Read more →