Actually, this is the first time in her adult life that she wasn't feeling depressed and hopeless about her life. Since her depression has lifted, she's feeling empowered, her self esteem has dramatically improved, and she is experiencing a new, higher energy level. But she worried that maybe this day of ease, of letting go and relaxing was more a return to her depressed former self. This fear of letting go because it will turn into something unwanted is not uncommon. Hard driving sales reps or executives are often afraid to let go and relax because they'll lose their sharp edge, their motivation or the energy and enthusiasm they put into their work.
Some people have trouble just sitting quietly, being with themselves.
We see this in our practice and in training groups. Some people, when they let go of their tensed muscles or their racing mind, find themselves confronting thoughts or feelings which are very uncomfortable. Sometimes, particularly when there are past traumatic, long lost memories, it is best to seek professional guidance when learning to relax. In this situation, relaxing can actually be very upsetting. A professional can help you gradually let go and begin to deal effectively with the old, long blocked memories.