As a happily flying SOAR graduate, I would like to share with everyone another tool I have found very helpful in managing my anxiety, not only about flying but in many areas of my life where I tend to be more anxious than is realistic. (SOAR tools have helped alot here as well.)

Mediation. I sit quietly about 25 minutes each day, focusing on my breath and letting thoughts "go" as they arise. It has given me an ability to seperate my thoughts and feelings (and attending anxiety) out from myself, which really helps me relax when I need to. I guess a better way to describe it is to say that my anxious thoughts and feelings don't take me over the way they used to. I now have a tool to "observe" them, (which validates that they do exist which is very important in managing anxiey if you will note your SOAR materials) but I can LET THEM GO - instead of feeling overwhelmed and consumed by them.

There are many types of meditaion - you don't have to sit in a room. It's easy to learn how to do - takes no money, no fancy equipment, and is just plain good for you! Research has consistenly shown that people who meditate have imporved cardiovascular health; it is being used in treating some types of asthma; is used in treating depression and anxiety, and more.

Meditaiton does not have to be spiritual or religious - although certainly many traditions to practice it - such as Buddhism.

If you want to learn more about how meditation is now being used by physicians and counselors in treatment of physical and mental health problems, there is a great meeting coming up in Washington D. C. , at which the Dalai Lama will be a panelist. Go to www.mindandlife.org for more information. It will be held November 8 - 10th.

Has anybody else out there tried using meditation as a help for anxiety? Email me at: pavitt@gci.net
I would be interested in hearing from you!