Rip Currents and Anxiety

I often think about anxiety as being like a rip current.

For those of you who don't know what a rip current is, its a powerful, narrow stream of water flowing from near the shore, out to sea. They can occur at beaches anywhere, and can pull unsuspecting people seaward. They are dangerous and can be fatal - HOWEVER: It is not usually the rip current itself that kills. Often times, the unlucky people who are caught in rip currents try to fight against the current. I mean, being dragged out to sea by a powerful force and at considerable speed is extremely terrifying. Easily exhausted by fighting it, the person caught in it would easily drown. This has happened countless times over the globe.
Always respect the ocean. It is not a swimming pool. It is best not to swim alone or at a beach which is not patrolled by life guards.

If caught in a rip current, it is essential that you DO NOT PANIC. The rip current itself will not kill you. Its just doin' its thang. It will drag you out, not under. You are buoyant. Save your energy. Do not fight it, do not swim against it.  A whole new meaning to 'Go with the flow'. Call for help and signal to people on the beach.

To escape it, swim sideways, parallel to the shore, until you are out of it. Then swim back to shore, let the waves help you along your way. If you are not a strong swimmer, let the current carry you out past the sand bar, swim sideways and tread water once you are free from the current. The waves will eventually carry you back to shallower waters.

Now, not everyone will agree with my views in this bit. Everyone experiences and deals with anxiety differently, but I find anxiety similar to rip currents. Anxiety will drag you out with considerable force, and make you feel panicked, vulnerable and powerless. Anxiety will not kill you, no matter how terrifying or dangerous it seems. Try to accept the fact that this is happening, and that you will not feel this way forever. Go with it. Change the behaviour, catch the thoughts before it becomes a crisis - Aim sideways and back, don't fight it.

Try to keep a cool head. Sit down and place both feet firmly on the ground. Take a few deep breaths. Try to catch the thoughts that are racing through your head with an imaginary extendable arm and reel them back in slowly. Have a safe word - for example, mine is 'Beach' (can you tell I love the sea?) And just try to imagine yourself at the beach, under a tree, in a jacuzzi - whatever it is you fancy. If you feel yourself dissociating or losing yourself, remember 3 things about yourself, and say them out loud or in your head. Talk to a friend. Ground yourself. You don't have to go through this on your own. The feeling will pass. It will not be forever.
And be easy on yourself. Don't beat yourself up for being anxious - these things happen to everyone, and beating yourself up will make it worse and become a vicious cycle. Accept it, deal with it, and move forward with it.

Phew! I feel a bit anxious after all that anxiety and drowning talk! Here's a couple of really nice chill out songs I love to listen to when I am feeling crappy :) I hope you like them too.





Ciao for now x