by Indrani Basu

Created on: September 02, 2009   Last Updated: September 03, 2009

We often say that opposites attract. I believe this is the most effective way to get away from your panicky state. Well easier said than done, this takes some sincere effort and a good thought process sometimes. There are no set rules for getting rid of your anxiety and panic but there is no harm in trying out a few things to see if that helps. Here are some of them I can personally vouch for.

1) Distract yourself for sometime into anything that you like, it could be anything as value adding as painting or kick boxing or as mundane as taking a nap, if sleep is a farfetched thought, pamper yourself with a nice refreshing warm shower and a glass of wine. If you think water is the best drink for you, then have a glass of water instead. It is true that the intensity of the problem lessens to a high degree when you sleep over it and sometimes you may see it gone with the sleep!

2) If you are not a lonely planet's animal, then go for a movie or a party with friends. This works well when you are careful in choosing the movie and more careful in choosing the right friends to talk to at that point of time. Otherwise it may bring you more anxiety overnight.

3) Another good thing to do is to think and feel silly sometimes. And there is no better place than a terrace with an open clear sky with full of stars. I used to do this when I was out of college and not into any job or boyfriends. I used to be so nervous that I did not have any wish to meet or talk to any of my family members or friends. And hiding from everyone I used to climb up to the terrace and start thinking rubbish looking at the stars. Whether it was an accident or a crazy idea that I began to choose stars for myself, that big bright glaring one would be my next job, and that one on the Far East with the brightest twinkle would be my true mate. I agree that it sounds crazy and silly but for a moment or may be more than that but all my anxiety of the real world would be gone for some time at least.

4) Do engage yourself in some introspection. You could pick yourself, your circumstances or hit the very reason of your fear to break it apart into pieces and examine each of them. There is a risk to it that you may go mad for a while, but if your do it persistently, you will come out as a winner.

5) Add humour to your life. Just remember nothing is so important that it can't be laughed off. Do not take yourself and your life so seriously that you are a prisoner of your own mesh. For me humour takes many forms, sometimes I try to meditate and end up laughing and giggling. But if you have that drive and will power within yourself, meditation is a wonderful therapy. People who practise any form of meditation are lifetime members of my admiration society.

6) Help people unconditionally; bring smiles to tearful eyes. And you do not have to go far. If you were not the one who picked up that fight, just go and give a big hug to your mate and say sorry. Do anything that makes you a better person in your own view and you will see your anxiety going away.

7) The last thing would be Accept. Since Pandora's Box has already opened, no one can escape the dark forces. So be practical enough to understand the fact that fear and anxiety are a kind of emotions that God has given us with many other kinds. Just remember that the last thing to come out of that box was Hope.

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