8. Breathe it out. You may notice that when your body is tense you hold your breath. Focusing on breathing is a common but effective technique for calming the nerves. Where is your breath now, and where is your mind? Bring them together. Listen to the movement of your breath. Does your mind wander somewhere else? Call it back. Concentrate only on breathing in and out, beginning and ending, breath to breath, moment to moment.9. Make peace with time. When you're a worrier, everything can feel like an emergency. But notice this about all your anxious arousal: It's temporary. Every feeling of panic comes to an end, every concern eventually wears itself out, every so-called emergency seems to evaporate. Ask yourself, "How will I feel about this in a week or in a month?" This one, too, really will pass.
10. Don't let your worries stop you from living your life. Many of them will turn out to be false, and the consequences of your anxiety -- less sleep, a rapid pulse, a little embarrassment-- are just inconveniences when it comes down to it. What can you still do even if you feel anxious? Almost anything.
Ed. note: Part of an excellent series by Robert L. Leahy, PhD and director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy in NY, NY. See the first three installments here, here, and here.
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