Calming Methods: Mastery of you and the situation

We're launching a new series of monthly articles on Calming Methods. One of the major tools in recovery, the Calming Methods are strong, quick and reliable. Each month we will reveal a new Calming Method, give an actual case from one of over 3000 clients Dr. Raynard has treated for panic, and show how they can be applied to a number of panic situations. The articles will highlight excerpts from Dr. Raynard's newest book, Panic Free (available now at www.panicdoctor.com).

The nice surprise is that there are many more ways to calm yourself than you think. Some that you already use, we will develop; others that are new for you will be explained. All will be formulated in a clear, natural way that helps you put them to work for you right away. By the end of this series on Calming Methods, you will have your own reliable calming methods you can bring to any phobic situation.

All calming methods replace your worry with calming action. Some of these target the anxious feelings in your body; we call these self-control methods. Others address your worries about the situation; we call these situation-control methods. In any case, all Calming Methods give you something to do, rather than be frozen in fear and lost in the "what-if's" (worry).

As each Calming Method is explained, pick those that feel most compatible with you, so that you feel you have a recipe uniquely your own. Trust yourself. You don't need all 16 Calming Methods for recovery; no one has yet. And some won't work well for you. Then again, you owe it to yourself to try a new method that seems promising. For each Calming Method ask yourself:

Do I use this method naturally now?
Would I like to develop this method more?

Soon, you will see how to put many of these Calming Methods into practice on a daily basis. Visit Panic Update often for the latest information on advances and treatments.