Hi: Gee, with an intro like that, I thought I'd better answer as best I can eh? Yea, I'm Canadian. lol. Well, for me what I do for anticipatory anxiety - and the others are right about it - if I know I will be in a situation which will cause anxiety - for me giving a speech even if it is short one - I review in my mind, a visualization, of the event, how I come in, greeting people, take my seat, giving the speech successfully and resuming my seat and feeling good about it. Of course, I practice a little bit at home too first to make sure I know my subject matter. All I am saying here is reviewing in your mind what it is you want to do and always do it successfully. By the time you get to do it, the successful is stuck in your brain, no room for negative thought to get in. Next, is the positive self-talk. Always let yourself know that you are capable.
How about those relaxation exs. I know I talk about them all the time, I truly believe in them. So do a muscle relaxing ex. first, do the visualization next. Do it every single day. Sounds like a lot but it isn't. There are many, many different relaxation ex. you can get on CD if you can't do it alone. Soon, you will be able to make your own. They say that hearing your own voice calming and soothing, practicing the ex. can be helpful to some. I would also like to suggest choosing the same spot to practice these exs. The reasoning behind this is that after much practice in the same chair say, when you go to sit there, the body anticipates that this is the relaxing place, a safe place and after your first 3 deep breaths which signals the body to start the relaxation process, it is almost automatic. It can last for 5 minutes or 30 minutes if you wish.
When you get up in the morning and are thinking anticipatory thoughts, just tune them out, think of a positive thing you will be doing in the morning, even if it is just about the greatest cup of coffee you are about to make, or the best shower. Anything positive. Hope I've given you some helpful suggestions. Keep the faith.
Your friend, Sunny
