1.
Remember that although your feelings of stress and symptoms are very frightening, they
are not dangerous or harmful.
2. Understand that what
you are experiencing is just an exaggeration of your normal bodily reactions to
stress.
3. Do not fight your
feelings or try to wish them away. The more you are willing to face them, the
less intense they will become.
4. Do not add to your
panic by thinking about what "might" happen. If you find yourself asking
"What if?" tell yourself "So what!"
5. Stay in the
present. Notice what is really happening to you as opposed to what you think
might happen.
6. Label your stress
level from zero to ten and watch it go up and down. Notice that it does not
stay at a very high level for more than a few seconds.
7. When you find
yourself thinking about the fear, change your "what if" thinking. Focus
on and carry out a simple and manageable task such as counting backwards from
100 by 3's or snapping a rubber band on your wrist.
8. Notice that when
you stop adding frightening thoughts to your fear, it begins to fade.
9. When the fear
comes, expect and accept it. Wait and give it time to pass without running away
from it.
10. Be proud of
yourself for your progress thus far, and think about how good you will feel
when you succeed this time.