CH
	
APTER	SEVEN
Putting	the	Tools	to	Work
Implementing	anxiety	techniques	on	a	routine	basis	means	you	can
start	to	make	choices	for	yourself	that	reflect	your	larger	goals	and
values,
	
in	spite	of	anxiety
.	You’re	no	longer	only	an	anxious
person;	you	are	a	person	who,	along	with	anxiety,	has	a	rich	and
meaningful	life.	Here	are	ways	to	turn	the	strategies	you’re
learning	into	consistent	habits	that	will	enrich	your	life	for	the	long
term.
From
	
Strategies	to	Habits
Repeated	use	of	these	techniques	in	a	structured,	determined	manner	will
bring	you	relief	far	beyond	managing	your	symptoms.	Consider	the
challenging	task	of	quitting	smoking.	Smokers	say	it	usually	takes	three
months	for	nicotine	withdrawal	symptoms	to	leave	the	body.	Those	three
months	require	deliberate	effort	to	adopt	a	new	learning	pattern,	but	the
rewards	clearly	outweigh	the	effort.	Three	months	is	nothing	compared	to	a
longer,	healthier,	and	more	satisfying	life.
Similarly,	take	the	example	of	Julia.	Julia	felt	extremely	anxious	driving
on	highways	with	congested	lanes	and	higher	speed	limits.	Each	time	she
drove	on	a	highway,	the	same	pattern	of	neurons	fired	and	a	panic	attack	soon