You can also get in the habit of relaxing muscles whenever you have an anxious feeling. When you feel a wave of anxiety, get in the habit of immediately scanning your body and trying to locate a tense muscle. Then relax it. Locate another tense muscle. Relax that too. As your muscles relax, your heart rate and breathing slow down and you begin to feel calmer. Even though terrorism still exists, your body is in a calmer state. You are more capable of thinking clearly and taking intelligent, purposeful, constructive action. Relaxing your muscles prevents you from becoming paralyzed by fear.
You can do this anytime, anywhere. Pay particular attention to the muscles in your face, upper back and neck. Memorize that short list: Face, upper back, and neck. Observe those places first. Your face is the best first place. Relax your forehead. Try it right now. Relax your jaw and the muscles around your eyes. Already your body begins to calm down.
It is recommended that you practice full Progressive Relaxation twice a day for about a week before moving on to the shortened form. Of course, the time needed to master the full procedure varies from person to person. Because you are using this to combat phobia anxiety, you will need to become proficient at it before putting it into full use in an anxiety producing situation.
