I went in for a routine blood test and dr suggested an electrocardiogram while I was there. The reading has revealed a couple of abnormalities, and an old "possible anterior infarction", which is kind of scary... Makes sense, as I've had tightness in my chest for years and have felt heart pulpitations while laying down in bed at night. I stupidly put it down to stress, or other muscle pain. Am currently waiting for the more extensive test in 1.5 weeks. Hopefully there is not too much damage done and whatever it is, is a manageable condition. So, in all that, I can totally relate to that feeling and wake-up call, however, I would also suggest to follow all instructions and look after yourself, and try not ruminate too much, as ruminating won't help you.
I know one thing, I'm spending money on things I want or need without hesitation. I also have a huge level of regret for the crappy life I have chosen to live and hope that I can get to live the life I always wanted without anxiety hanging over my head since I was a teenager and allowing it to dictate EVERY life decision I have made.
Anyhow, today is the day and we must seize it, and not fall into that trap of thinking that everything has to be "perfect" before we launch into life, and the future is a hypothetical construct, in that, the only life we know is this very moment, and each moment unfolds into the next. Let's hope we have a whole lot of amazing / awesome moments that keep rolling on.
I hope your niece can learn to deal with her anxiety in other ways, as 21 is way too young to be drinking daily. There is a good post early in the Toolbox thread that describes the practice of sitting through uncomfortable feelings, or letting them pass through or over you. Those pesky pangs of anxiety can not last forever and it is incredible to think that we perceive the autonomic sensations as "reality" and "fact", when most of the time, it is our perceptions that cause us to react a certain way. Like stress, a tiny, tiny bit of anxiety probably serves evolutionary purposes and might otherwise be good for us, but for those who suffer more than normal anxiety, it is like the anxiety-factory in our brains and bodies is over-sensitive or out of kilter.
Bev Aisbett has written a few books on it: Bev Aisbett's Art of Anxiety - HOME
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