Do you use breathing techniques? Breathe in deep, hold it for four seconds then blow it out hard. Do that about 5 times. It will help a little. It does for me anyway. Best of luck at the concert tonight. What do you play?

Try not to anticipate tonight too much. I do it a lot myself and get very stressed and anxious about situations. Just remember what you said, you've been to a million of these, nothing bad has ever happened and nothing will. You will be fine.

If you don't mind me asking are you on any sort of med for anxiety?

The breathing technique does work for me too only temporarily and then I look kind of stupid breathing like that too much.
I end up detaching from what is going on and that makes me look like an airhead.

I hope you get through it. Do you take any anxiety meds that might help you through Xanax helps me and I am on Kolonopin too. It helps me through social situations that I can't avoid like what you are going through.

maybe exercise, i would d0 it when i 'm nervous but i'm just t00 lazy, anyway-i can see how this would help burn up some of yur nervous energy.

LOL Kashagirl. Me too! It does help for a little bit though. His profile says he's only on Lithium and Lexapro. I love my xanax for my anxiety. If I didn't have it, I would constantly be inpatient.

In response to Kandi, I'm the band director, so I have to organize the whole thing. It's not so much the performance (although that is causing some anxiousness as well) as the getting ready for it. Setup, equipment moving, etc. It's just all so stressful for me. Again, I've done it a million times, but this is just different. I have xanax in my car for emergency panic situations. Maybe I should take half a pill.

take a xanax every 6 hours, at least that is how it is prescribed to me. i will be thinking of you today and hope all goes well.

Take the xanax hon. Right before the concert and half right now. That's what they are there for. You can do this! Like Motovation said, You're a pro! :o)

I tried the breathing exercise and it helped relax me. As the day goes on I seem to be dealing better. I haven't taken the xanax yet and I don't think I need to, given that I'm feeling more calm. I will take one before the concert though. Thanks everyone. You all make me feel so much better!

YAY!! I'm glad it worked for you. Just stay strong and know we are always here for you. xoxo

Just remember it's a limited amount of time. Break it up into increments of shorter periods of time 10 minute intervals. YOu can get through it, talk yourself through it in your head.

bb, thanks for the tip. I haven't thought of that, but it's a good idea. Breaking things into small chunks of time makes it easier to cope. Unfortunately, my panic is starting to creep up again. Xanax, here I come.