I had my annual eye exam last week and was reminded of a simple success story. I used to have trouble with getting my eye pressure checked. I would dutifully look at the spot she indicated, but as the tonometer came close to my eye I couldn’t help but blink in supposed self-protection. Rationally I knew it wouldn’t hurt, but my instincts were too strong. Then one time the technician said, “Don’t forget to breathe.”
She told me that because people often hold their breath and it increases the pressure in the eye and gives false readings. For me it was sound advice for not blinking. When I stayed conscious of my breathing as well as focusing on the spot, my mind was too absorbed to pay attention to the tonometer approaching my eye. I’ve never had trouble with blinking ever since.
It’s a yearly reminder of a simple but powerful stress-management technique. When I start to worry about something I try to switch my thoughts to what I’m aiming for. That’s often enough, but when anxious thoughts still intrude I can always overwhelm them by becoming conscious of my breathing. Fortunately my mind is too small to think of three things at once, so there’s no room in it for worrying.
What About You?
What techniques do you use to prevent worrying from sapping your energy and motivation?
Breathing works great for me too.
Also figuring out what I can do (if anything).
Then, if it is still a problem, figuring out what has got me really hooked. Then figuring out what I can do about that (there is usually something).
Evans last blog post..Valuing Suffering
Evan,
I agree. There’s always something we can do, especially working on ourselves.
Yes, you can not do better than good old deep breathing exercises. I try and do it by getting up and going away to some place open, preferably with some greenery around.
rummusers last blog post..There Is Both Madness And Reason in ‘Love’.
rummuser,
Thanks for pointing out that connecting with nature helps a lot.
I used to get panic attacks. Like when I was ski touring at the top of the mountain, it was late in the day, my husband was out of town, nobody would miss me, & my legs became jelly. I couldn’t stand. I did; I’m here aren’t I?
Another time when I was lost, I was having an attack. A man came by who said concentrate on breathing. That did the trick—with the panic attack.
bikehikebabe,
Thanks for the great stories. I’m sure to pass them on. 🙂