Reality Check with Sadie Zarkin

Dear Sadie Zarkin,

Since the earthquake happened I’ve been a nervous wreck. I was in my dorm at the time, and my commemorative bowling pin came alarmingly close to tipping off the side of my dresser. (I was on the bowling team in high school. Strikeouts represent.)

I’ve been getting along fairly well from day to day since then, but what’s really distressing me is that I literally can’t use my massage chair anymore without collapsing into a screaming fit.

My suitemates hate me. I keep trying, though, because I love my massage chair. But it always ends the same way.

What should I do? I don’t want to live my life afraid and with tightness in my lower back.

– Shaken, Not Stirred

Dear Shaken,

It is completely normal to experience a heightened sense of paranoia following an incident of this kind. When your fear starts to affect your daily actions, however, is when one runs into problems such as yours.

Often after traumatic events, it’s easy for your memory to distort the facts – this hype is what makes you anxious and fearful. The best way to overcome these feelings is to ease back to your normal routine in steps.

Try working your way back to using the chair slowly. Start with just the foot massaging and move upwards over the course of a few days. Stick to the rolling motion initially, and when you feel like you’re ready, switch to vibration.

Don’t let fear stop you from using your massaging chair and living the life you want.

While sitting in your bizarre shaking chair, take some time to put your whole situation in perspective. Try to rationalize the actual threat of danger versus the perceived threat you have created for yourself. Also, staying informed about actual danger and learning how to stay prepared will ultimately alleviate the anxiety your overactive mind has created, getting you back to full chair usage in no time.

– S.Z.