Tomorrow, I am going to a monthly meeting at work, which always makes me very anxious. (I am always anxious at work, but my anxiety tend to get worse on this occasion.) Just like Paul says, no matter what I will be ok and the meeting does not kill me; however, since I tend to act like a dear in headlights in this kind of situations, this time I want to try something new to change my response pattern. I am thinking about being a sheer observer of my thoughts, using mantras such as "I'm safe" or "It will pass" and treating myself as a best friend (self-compassion). I will let you know how it goes. In the meanwhile, I would be grateful if you could share your strategies. Thank you:)

I also use to feel that way in meetings . The anticipation before the meeting ... try to stay present and mindful when I felt like I was thinking in the future I would gently bring thoughts back to the now then during the meeting I would be mmindful of what was being said and being the observer and carefully listening to what others had to say and not focusing on my thoughts and body responses. I also keep bringing my thoughts back to my breathing and before you know it the meeting is over and it takes practice the more you do it the better or more comfortable you will feel in meetings. I still don't like meanings though.

Thank you Choco! I'm glad your in a meeting text later went well. I'm still learning to practice mindfulness the book and classes I took are Jon-Kabt-Zin called MBSR mindfulness based stress reduction and the book is full catrosphe living if you wanted some information on it .

It should be an 8 week program and its a lot of $$ but it was soo worth it . They work on different mediation styles and you r in a group which at first I had a hard time but after it was ok and one day of a retreat .. I took this program 2 times and they have a graduate program but I am now finding I cannot keep spending money on all this and taking Paul's advice with now just going and doing things and just breaking the cycle now with the information I now have and the tools .