I had a pretty tough situation last week-end. I have a terrible fear of heights. We went up in the mountains of WV. On the way to a friends house we went the long way around because of me and my problem. But my husband asked if we could go down the mountain (the short way) I said yes but he had to keep his eyes on the road and not mention a thing about the sceanery.
When we got to the scarey part I tried to do my breathing excercise and self talk. The self talk was better than the breathing. I was so upset that I couldn't breath right. So that ment I was getting dizzy from hyperventilating.
Boy have I got a lot of work ahead of me. My problem is... I am not in a position to work on this all the time. How can I work on it when I am not in this situation only once in a while?
Any suggestions?
DMK

I do my breathing in the shower, at work, sitting at the the computer, when I get the tiniest bit stressed and I force myself to breath. Slow and steady....pay attention to the cool air coming in through your nose......slowly....filling your lungs......breathing in peace and calm...right into your belly like a balloon....and then slowly out breathing out the tension and anxiety. Try paying attention to the breathing itself as well as your muscles moving when you breath...if you think about just that you won't think about the other things....if you get distracted just try to center yourself again on your breathing...be very aware of you and yourself....hope that helps

Thanks for visiting Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. Those of us who live here tend to take the heights and the narrow roads for granted. I have only lived here about 6 years and i would say that when I first moved here I would get a little anxious on windy rural roads. However, with time and routine exposure you get used to such things. You are just as likely to go off the side of the road in Kansas as you are in West Virginia. The only difference is that you can see a drop off. The old adage of "dont look down" would apply here. If you concentrate on the road and not the drop off you should be fine. I know you can get over your fear of heights and once you do it will open up some of the most wonderful vistas in nature for you to enjoy.

I live in a funny part of kentucky. When I leave my long curvy and narrow road and get in town I am in West Virginia and after about a mile I am back in Kentucky.