Tired of Anxiety
How often have you been feeling anxious? How much time of your day is spent worrying about what to make for dinner, how to get the kids to all their activities, or how balance work and family? We can worry about so many things each and every day. And yet, when we just tell ourselves to “Stop worrying”, does it make the worry disappear? No. Typically, the worry gets bigger and bigger.
We know that our current world has many anxiety-provoking realities that can feel overwhelming, unbearable, and exhausting. We are feeling so tired from the negativity in the news as well as experiencing our own anxious, scared thoughts of what the future will hold. Others can feel this worry from us too. So how do we calm our worried minds?
One thing we must understand is that our brains get wired a certain way and it takes work to re-route the wiring onto a different path. Think of it as a trail through the forest. For a long time, this is the path our brains have taken; the path is worn down and grooved. If we decide this path is not taking us to the place we want to be, we must forge a new path off this well-worn trail. This takes work. It takes effort.
Own it
First, you must own your worry. What I mean by this is validate yourself. “I feel worried about …” Give yourself permission to feel uncomfortable in this fear of the unknown, this worry. If you shove down the anxiety, it will only get bigger and more challenging.
Relax
Imagining yourself relaxed and in a peaceful, calm place can provide your mind and body the opportunity to turn off the “fear alarm” in your mind and allow your prefrontal cortex (the decision making area of your brain) to make more rational decisions. Sometimes, it’s hard to recognize how tense your body is when you are worried until you relax those muscles and imagine a person, place or thing that can fill your mind with peace. Fill this vision with delightful sounds, smells, and touch.
Redirection
Now, it’s time to change the narrative in your mind. Tell yourself that you can do hard things. You can move through this challenge to the other side. Remind yourself of previous moments where you felt worried or scared and made it through. You can change your worried thinking. Think of helpful thoughts that build you up rather than tear you down.
Getting rid of anxiety involves time, motivation, and determination, but even if all this is true of you, anxiety may still be present. If anxiety is weighing you down, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional. Processing through our worries can be the steppingstone we start with to get off the well-worn path onto a new path.
Disclaimer: This is in no way a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or mental health services. This is for educational purposes only and should be in used only in conjunction in working with a licensed mental health professional. Reading this blog or responding to it does not constitute a provider-patient relationship. If you are looking for a local mental health professional feel free to use the contact tab to request an appointment or search Psychology Today for local therapists in your area. If this is a mental health emergency and you need immediate assistance please call 911 or your county’s crisis line to speak to a mental health professional.
