The treatment center where I learned to recover myself, and where I became certified to help others claimed to have a 97% success rate.  This is based on thousands of clients spread out over forty years.  This percentage is outstanding for behavior modification only.  There were no other methods of treatment required to obtain this percentage.  But the one ingredient that was absolutely required to achieve anxiety recovery is Effort.

And this can be difficult for people.  Anxiety disorders leave us helpless and hopeless.  We are a victim of our anxiety.  And we take the position of victim, waiting for someone (or something) to come and save us.  How wonderful would it be if magic appeared and removed our anxiety from our lives?  Unfortunately, it does not work like this.

Our anxiety recovery is our responsibility.  We have to take accountability for ourselves and for our anxiety recovery.

The future is not yet written.  We are not destined to be anything in particular.  We are not destined to suffer the rest of our lives with anxiety.  The future is created by the effort we put into creating change.  Each day is an opportunity to shape the future.  To create a future with little (or no) anxiety.

Each day we must put in the effort to create change.  I will discuss in future posts on other things that we can change and do on a daily basis.  But for now, at a minimum, make practicing the tools & techniques a daily priority.

Each day pick a tool or two and practice it.  Even if you have no anxiety.  Take an ice cube and allow it to melt on your arm.  Grab a magazine and circle three lettered words.  Look at license plates and add the numbers together.

The reason we need to practice the tools & techniques so much is to become familiar with them.  When our anxiety levels are high, we will gravitate to what we are comfortable with.  When the tools are new, they are not comfortable.  So by practicing them, we will become more and more comfortable with them, allowing them to be more beneficial when we need them most.

Also, it allows you an opportunity to learn which ones work best, and in which situation they work best.

Make a list of tools.  The physical tools you can keep together in a bag – make a toolbox.  This way when you leave the house you bring it with you.  A magazine, a pen, rubber band, strong flavored gums/mints – these things travel well and work well too.

Being prepared is key when anxiety levels rise.  My counselor always said when I was going into a trigger situation, “anxiety will go up, and you will do it the hard way or the easy way – the choice is yours”.  And she was right.

Practice – write a list of tools practiced and keep it on you – create a toolbox – and then practice again!