Imagine Him Naked or How I Fooled Myself Into Being Calm in A Stressful Situation
January 13, 2008 10:46 pm CopingI learned some tricks to deal with anxiety quite by accident when I found  myself in a situation that was very stressful. I was called on to testify in court for the first time, boy did I work myself up with my thoughts. Just before I was to go on the witness stand , I suddenly felt like I was going to be sick from anxiety. As I came close to panic I realized that I needed to get a hold of my self as this was something I must do.
 From somewhere out of the blue I suddenly got the inspiration to play act! I made believe I was on stage, crossed my legs, folded my hands in my lap  and looked directly and forcefully at the attorney who was trying to trip me up. I used the “emperor with no clothes” trick. (imagined the lawyer as naked and foolish)  I exaggerated my speech, spoke slowly and firmly, with much more authority and confidence then I felt.  It worked in a way that I would not have imagined!! Since I had that experience, I have used this technique many times during minor and major crises.
