When your body speaks
My heart races and I don't know why
My friend, all of a sudden your heart races wildly, your breath shortens, your hands shake, and you are gripped by the fear that something serious is happening. If doctors have already found your heart healthy, this may be a panic attack. It is very unpleasant, but it is not dangerous, and it passes, usually within minutes. Your body has pulled the alarm with no fire. Don't fight the wave. Let it rise and fall while you breathe slowly. And if the symptoms are new, very strong or unlike before, don't wait: call your emergency number.
If symptoms are new, very strong or unlike before, don't wait: call your doctor or 112.
Questions for you
What do I notice right now, with all five senses?
A possible answerName five things you see, four you can touch, three you hear, two you smell and one you taste. The mind comes back into the room, and the wave weakens.
What am I telling myself about what's happening in my body?
A possible answer“I'm dying”, “I'm going mad” are thoughts of fear, not facts. You can tell yourself something else: “It's my body's alarm. It passes. I've been through this before.”
What has built up over the last few weeks?
A possible answerPanic attacks often come after long stress, lack of sleep, a lot of coffee or feelings held back. They don't come out of nowhere, even if they seem to. Look at what has been hard.
Have I talked to a doctor or a psychologist about this?
A possible answerIf the attacks keep coming, it's worth it. There are treatments that work very well, and a specialist can teach you to stop being frightened by your own sensations.
Tonight's practice
Practise today, while you're calm: breathe in counting to four, breathe out counting to six, ten times. When the wave comes, your body will already know the way.
A thought to keep
“The wave rises, the wave falls. You remain.”
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