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Piercing angst - a thought or two on how to overcome short bursts of angst

Have you ever woken up with that odd tightness in your chest?  That feeling that gnaws at you, tugs at every fiber and strand of your day?

That happens to all of us - frankly.  It gives us a fantastic choice: how will we cope and how will we respond?

A few thoughts when that does come up:

1)  Wallow a bit, it's ok.  Those feelings are trying to tell you something, so why not listen?  It's okay to ruminate and wallow for a bit, so long as you're aware of being in those cycles.

2)  If you are not aware, then dust off the coping mechanisms.  It takes a bit of practice to know that you're in the spiral of emotions trying to take you down.  We have to be able to catch ourselves - the idea is to catch yourself as often as possible, but, of course, without judgment or attribution.  See the tension.  See the angst.  Go on - just feel it, see it, acknowledge it.  You may even feel a slight bit of relief just acknowledging that it's there (as opposed to trying to run).

3)   If you have to run, then run.  Not figuratively - literally.  Go outside.  Go do something physical.  Exert yourself for a solid hour, if you can.  You'll feel light years better.  You may even process through some of the emotional sludge that refuses to move in the midst of the angst-ridden day.  

4)  A reminder - not all days will be like this.  Tomorrow may, but the next day might not.  I assume you have some family or friends around and I compel you to fight for them.  Fight to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.

5)  Return to home base.  Your breath will literally save your life, time and time again.  Let it.  When you need to reset and recharge your system, it is your breath that does the work.  Do the breath work and let it fuel your recovery from this acute angst.

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