Stress

As most dancers know, right now is a very stressful time for all of us. Its audition season which means how we do in our auditions effects what our future is, at least for the next year. Every audition comes with stress and anxiety, to have better technique than the girl standing next to you and hopefully impress the teacher enough to give you a shot at a contract for the next year instead of them. Because of all this stress i had been on edge and very anxious for a while. I had been very snappy with my friends and family and would constantly be moving to try and distract myself. Nothing was working and i couldn't calm myself down.
One night i was sitting in my friends place by myself and had a complete melt down which turned into an anxiety attack. Now, I've had small attacks like this before. Shortness of breathe, elevated pulse, and fear but a few nights ago was something i had never experienced before in my life. My heart was racing, i was shaking like crazy, i couldn't feel my hands and they wouldn't move. My vision started getting blurry and i was light headed. Luckily my friends came to help. One called 911 and when they arrived they gave me oxygen and took my vitals. I was scared out of my mind and had no idea what was happening to me. The EMT asked me if i had any extra stress going on in my life and my friend and I looked at each other and chuckled a little because stress would be an understatement....
Stress is a natural thing in everyone's life and a little stress is good. It can push you to get that paper done that you've been putting off or push you to work harder so you get the company contract but too much stress can push you over the edge, like mine did. Everyday i've been trying to use techniques to slow my breathing and rid myself of the extra stress. Im trying to find my "happy place" and stay there as long as possible. Easy meditation and yoga is now a regular for me before I go to bed because i know if i don't do these things ill have another attack.

All it takes is 10 minutes a night to center yourself and make daily life so much easier. Don't let yourself get to the point i was at. Im much better now than i was a few days ago but i know i could easily slip back into worry and fear.