Anxiety symptom

[hammill1969]

Thanks for the replies Jon. Mindfulness has helped me a lot with my mental problem. Maybe I am expecting too much from it. A deeply entrenched mental illness (20 years) isn't going to disappear. Maybe it is a disconnect between mind & body. I have tried walking meditation but stopped doing it. I know I do need to do different types of meditations and not just play it safe.

[JonW]

"I know I do need to do different types of meditations and not just play it safe."

I think it's fair to say that most of seek out comfort zones in our meditation practices. For the first couple of years, I didn't even consider doing body scans or mindful movements. I thought of them as optional extras to the main event - sitting meditation.
These days I try to be mindful about the fact that I'm stuck in a routine, and try to vary my practice as much as possible. So I do body scans, mindful movements, walking meditations...I set time aside to listen to music mindfully and eat my dinner mindfully.
Perhaps it would help you if you tried to vary your practice a little and posted the results on here. We'd be interested to hear how you get along.
Another thought is...reading. Maybe you just need to connect with the right book right now. Let me know if you need any recommendations. I've got lists as long as your arm.
All best,
Jon, Hove

[debbieko]

"Another thought is...reading. Maybe you just need to connect with the right book right now. Let me know if you need any recommendations. I've got lists as long as your arm.

Sorry to hijack this post, but I'd be really interested in some book recommendations.

[debbieko]

Hi,
this might seem strange but what triggers my anxiety is when i'm inside and the room feels warm I feel very uncomfortable and start to obsess about the feelings I have around feeling hot. It's like my body has a thermometer and the uncomfortable feelings begin when the room is warm. I don't get stressed when i'm outside and hot only when i'm inside. My anxiety centres around my breath and i feel like i have to get out of the room. I stay in the room and continue feeling uncomfortable. Should I just be with the sensations of feeling hot, i find this very difficult and try to cool down having a cold drink or putting a fan on instead. When i try to be with the breath I feel worse.

I can relate to this anxiety. I used to get really anxious when I would be in certain environments, like when it was overcast yet bright outside, usually when I was driving. I felt uncomfortable and panicky. What helped me what noticing the sensations in my body (hot, shaky, tense neck, sweaty palms) as I was in the uncomfortable situation, and also noticing what kind of thoughts I was having (I don't like this, I have to get out of here, what if I panic, or even, what if I die?). I'm not sure if this is helpful or not, but just really being mindful of my thoughts and bodily sensations helped. Having a formal daily practice helped bring my stress levels down too. I also can't speak highly enough about the body scan. It helps you to notice and accept the sensations in your body without attaching fears, anxieties, or judgements to them.

[hammill1969]

Thanks,
I am trying to vary my practice, doing sound meditation,mindful movement and will do more turning towards difficulties meditation. The body scan has helped me to locate sensations when my anxiety triggers.

I need to welcome the anxiety instead of fighting it. I am fighting it still and it worsens.
As Rumi said
"This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!"