I recently had to calm myself down at a concert in Las Vegas. The Sphere is a new facility that has an audio and visual experience, second to none, but when the visuals had me feeling like I was in an elevator and the ground beneath me was dropping I used the following tools:

1. I took in a deep, healing breath and filled my lungs with oxygen – often, anxiety results in a lack of air in your system.
2. Closed my eyes – I just let the rest of the world fade away and focused on being with myself.
3. Repeat uplifting words – I kept repeating the word “calm” as I consciously breathed relaxation in and out.
4. Relax – I found myself clenching my fists and shoulders. I forced my body to relax the tight muscle groups while breathing in calm and exhaling tension.
5. Drinking water – my body may have been alerting me that it was dehydrated or in need of grounding (discussed later). I asked my partner to get some water for me.
6. Grabbing hold of your younger self – if you have suffered from past trauma, it is important to continually care for the younger part inside of you that went through trauma. I gave myself a hug and told my younger self kind words to show him that I cared.

NOTE: #6 may be difficult for people who have not been exposed to this type of work. Giving love to the root of our ailment can literally heal an issue for the last time.

7. Grounding – grounding is getting the fearful energy from our body to exit, normally through the bottom of our feet. Though, that wasn’t a possibility due to my being amongst the 18,000 people at the arena but is a regular item in my arsenal when I am highly anxious.
8. Having hope – not enough has been written about the healing power of hope. If you are doing something and it seems pointless you will probably give up. I, myself, have faith in all of the above tools because they have worked well on me and the people I have treated.

There are countless other tools to use, like relaxation, acupuncture, food that is used as medicine, and Swedish massage. Though, at the concert, these would be impossible for me to do. While sitting down in my seat I was able to relax, breathe steadily, and in no time, was back in my center and enjoying the Eagles playing the tunes I grew up to.

In a crisis, it can be difficult to think and even I will toss out the tools I know. I have a quick reference card I keep in my wallet with one big word at the top: BREATHE.

A word of advice is in order here. Many will turn to substances, even prescribed medication to numb out during this process. Prescribed medication is one thing and is important to use, however, drugs bought on the street are a concern and may cause damage or death. Do you really know what you are getting and if it is pure? If not, then you’re not only risking your life, but also your brain—based on what I witnessed at the Urgent Care Center. Emotional issues that hit us need to be processed through, otherwise being in a crisis can end up being a daily affair. Our issues are there for a reason and according to Spiritual Psychology, our issues left unsolved will cycle back to us again and again, until we ultimately face them.

If you continue to find yourself in a crisis, expert care is in order. Why suffer needlessly? Instead of bandaging over the thorn, why not simply pull it out once and for all?

In closing, it is important to have tools to turn to when in a crisis. Practicing those tools will have them more ready to use if by chance they are needed. Recently a client learned that one of their parents has about 8 more months to live. When the initial shock hit it was overwhelming. They immediately used opposite-hand writing to talk with the younger part inside of them that was hurting. They reported that they were still stunned, but in the past, they would have turned to drinking. Now, they found themselves hugging their inner child. “Hugs, not drugs” has always been my motto, and may you turn to the tools that have been tried and true, instead of what has not worked in your past.