Hi KBH,
Welcome tot he community here at Beyond Blue. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
It may be beneficial to read some of the other posts here on anxiety so see what support and information people have shared with each other.
There is a lot of information here in the resources section as well that may be beneficial.
Regarding exercise, can you look at some exercise options on the computer and plan your own work out for doing in the house or in the back yard if you have one.
Those heart palpitations are quite concerning when you first experience them aren't they! I was recently in hospital due to an operation and had a severe panic attack in recovery. Even though I didn't feel stressed or anxious, my body still went crazy.
I had a wonderful nurse telling me to slow down my breathing, to take in big lungs full of air, to hold it for a little while then slowly breathe out again.
The next day another panic attack started. I tried to remember the calming voice of the nurse and took in deeper, slower breathes. I kept telling myself it was just my heart going crazy for a moment and I would soon calm down and feel a lot better.
You could practise breathing in for 5 seconds, hold your breathe for three seconds and then slowly release your breathe again for 5 seconds. If you do this when you are not anxious, you may get used to it and then have that as a tool to use when you do start to feel anxious!
Also, do you have Dr whom you can talk about regarding these issues? Has a counsellor been suggested for further information, talking and assistance?
Cheerio for now, from Mrs. Dools
