The new year often brings a new set of stressors to our lives that promote anxiety. Anxiety—or, panic attacks—affects many of us, often on a daily basis. Some feel those debilitating effects have control over our lives.

Have you ever experienced any of the following symptoms?
• Pounding heart (heart palpitations, racing heart rate)
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea or abdominal stress
• Feeling dizzy, light headed, faint or unsteady
• Feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Chills or hot flashes

If so, you may have experienced an anxiety attack brought on by a stressful situation or series of events. Often times, too, one (or some) of these symptoms is followed by a powerful and persistent concern about having additional attacks, worrying about the implications from having such an attack (e.g., worrying about losing control, having a real heart attack, going crazy) or even prompting a significant change in other behavior—related attacks. Anxiety/panic attacks can mimic a lot of physical illnesses (like thyroid conditions) so it is absolutely essential to get a medical assessment by a qualified physician.

However, you can stop fearing: there are plenty of healthy ways to combat stress, to become aware of anxiety-producing situations, and to then calm down once you do feel like you’re in the middle of an attack.

You can get help—you can reduce anxiety in your life. See my CD programs on how to get started! My Stay Calm CDs are designed with specific music and words to help you to retrain your brain to be calm. One CD in this program is Guided Imagery designed for you to listen to while lying down or sitting in a quiet place. The Whole Brain Learning CD is designed with specific suggestions, repeated, with specific music. This CD can be used at any time to help you to continually focus on what you want and staying calm. Listening repeatedly is recommended for consistent change to occur.