bbitherapy@hushmail.com | (717) 220-8660
  • Behance
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Make an Appointment: bbitherapy@hushmail.com | (717) 220-8660
  • Home
  • About
  • Telehealth
  • Conditions Treated
    • Generalized Anxiety
    • Social Anxiety
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Phobias
    • Adult ADHD
    • Pain Management
    • Panic Disorder
    • Body Dysmorphia
    • (BFRB) Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors
  • Treatment Modalities
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • ACT Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ExRP)
    • Therapy for Insomnia
    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
    • Virtual Reality Relaxation Training
    • Virtual Reality Immersion/Exposure Therapy
  • Anxiety & OCD in Kids
  • FAQs
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Rates and Insurance
  • Good Faith Estimate
  • Clinical Supervision
  • Blog
logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Book an Appointment

(717) 220-8660 | bbitherapy@hushmail.com

Close menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Telehealth
  • Conditions Treated
    • Generalized Anxiety
    • Social Anxiety
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Phobias
    • Adult ADHD
    • Pain Management
    • Panic Disorder
    • Body Dysmorphia
    • (BFRB) Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors
  • Treatment Modalities
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • ACT Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ExRP)
    • Therapy for Insomnia
    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
    • Virtual Reality Relaxation Training
    • Virtual Reality Immersion/Exposure Therapy
  • Anxiety & OCD in Kids
  • FAQs
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Rates and Insurance
  • Good Faith Estimate
  • Clinical Supervision
  • Blog
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
(717) 220-8660

bbitherapy@hushmail.com

Integrating Cognitive and Somatic Therapies with Technology

Start Here

4 Subtle Exercises to Calm Anxiety in Public

March 9, 2020 by Jennifer Shatzkin Leave a Comment

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million adults over the age of 18 suffer from an anxiety disorder. If you are one of them, you know how difficult your life can feel most days.

When anxiety strikes, the world around us can become a sort of funhouse, only not that much fun. It’s important to be able to self-soothe in these instances. But how can you calm an anxiety attack subtly when you’re out in public?

 

Breath Work

As soon as you feel the anxiety coming on, focus intently on your breathing and nothing else. Begin to take slow… deep breaths. Inhale for a slow count of three… hold for a count of three… and exhale for a count of three. Slow deep breaths send a signal to our body that we are not under attack and everything is okay.

 

Talk to Yourself

In your mind, remind yourself that you are having an experience but that you are NOT that experience. While you feel that something is wrong, remind yourself that you are actually safe and all is well.

 

Visualize

Think of something that calms you. This may be your childhood bedroom or your grandparent’s home. It could be your favorite beach or your own bathtub. Simply put yourself IN that space. Use your full imagination to feel yourself there and allow the calm to settle over you.

 

Practice Listening Meditation

If you’ve never tried listening meditation, I highly recommend it for everyone. But it can be especially beneficial when you are feeling anxious, and here’s why. Listening requires you to stop thinking. Try it now. Stop reading and instead listen to all of the ambient sounds there in the room with you, outside the door and window.

What do you hear?

Let your sense of hearing grow and grow, picking up more subtle sounds. The buzz of the lights overhead… the noise of the ice maker… a bee at the window… your dog’s collar down the hall…

It’s actually a very fun exercise to do. And in order to REALLY GIVE SOUND YOUR FULL ATTENTION, you can’t think while listening. It’s a bit like trying to juggle while standing on your hands, it simply cannot be done.

Much of our anxiety comes from our anxious thoughts. It’s our reptilian brain trying to keep us alive by alerting us to all of the dangers around us. But when we meditate, this mind chatter goes away.

 

When an anxiety attack comes on, life can feel unbearable. The next time this happens to you in public, try one or more of these techniques.

And if you’d like to speak with someone about your anxiety, please get in touch. I’d be happy to explore treatment options.

Filed Under: Anxiety

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



3214 East Market St.
Suite #1
York, PA 17402

(717) 220-8660
bbitherapy@hushmail.com

About

Anxiety and OCD Pathways, LCC is a solo niche practice specializing in anxiety and OCD related conditions.

 

Office Hours

Monday and Wednesday: 4pm-9pm

Saturday and Sunday: 9am-4pm

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday;  CLOSED

 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Contact Information

3214 East Market St.
Suite #1
York, PA 17402

(717) 220-8660
bbitherapy@hushmail.com

Privacy Policy

A Therapist Website by Brighter Vision