Reference no: EM133899455

Question

As an Intake Worker for the State, I hear very emotional daily cases that can be extremely difficult. I recently received an unfortunate call regarding the tragic loss of a child. The emotions from the call lingered far after we had hung up, and my heart was racing, my shoulders tight, and I had a strong surge of anxiety that was almost overwhelming. When I feel this way, I am nervous, particularly when I'm driving. I get anxious just thinking about driving, so I establish a relaxing routine before driving. I sit in my car for a couple of minutes before driving and practice deep breathing. I place my right hand gently on my chest and my left hand on my abdomen and notice how my body feels. I inhale through my nose for four seconds, filling my belly rather than my chest. This reminds me to breathe deeply. Once I breathe deeply, I hold the air quietly for two seconds to retain the air within me. I then exhale slowly through my mouth for six seconds, allowing my belly to drop as I release the tension. I do this for a few minutes to unwind. With every breath intake,