4 Simple Tips to Banish Anxiety Forever
I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone before. I used to live in constant anxiety because I worried my husband, Nick, would die.
This fear stems from the fact that he's 19 1/2 years older than me, so the odds are in my favor to outlive him.
He's now 81 and suffering from some health problems, so perhaps the fear is justifiable. But I already had this fear many years ago.
However, at some point, I had a mini breakthrough. I realized that my anxiety wasn't just about Nick's health - it was also about my own fears of loss and change.
I realized that no matter how much I worried, I couldn't control the outcome.
And there was always a chance I could be hit by a bus tomorrow, which would be worse. I couldn't bear the thought of Nick trying to cope without me. If that were the other option, I'd rather he went first.
Then it hit me even harder that all this worrying and thinking was so ridiculous. Did I really want to spend even one nano-second of my precious life worrying about death - his or mine - and feeling anxiety as a result? What would that achieve?
Over time, my anxiety began to dissipate. Of course, I was still worried about Nick's health, but I found a sense of peace and acceptance. I realized that Nick and I were in this together no matter what the future holds. And that, I knew, was all that really mattered.
Anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. It's a feeling of worry or fear that can be mild or severe, and it's often accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, a racing heart, and tense muscles.
While anxiety can be a helpful emotion in certain situations (e.g., helping us perform better on a test or giving us the motivation to meet a deadline), it can also become a problem when it becomes chronic and interferes with our daily lives.
Unfortunately, more and more people today are suffering from a state of near-permanent anxiety. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting about 40 million adults in the United States (19.1% of the population). That's a staggering number, and it's only increasing as the demands of modern life continue to rise.
But here’s the key. If people understood how they were creating their own anxiety via their thinking, they could put it into perspective and not take it all so seriously. Here's how:
Recognize that your thoughts are just thoughts, not facts. One of the main reasons people experience anxiety is because they believe their anxious thoughts are true. For example, if you're worried about giving a presentation at work, you might have the thought, "I'm going to mess up, and everyone will think I'm an idiot." While it's natural to have this thought, it's not necessarily true. Your presentation might not go perfectly, but that doesn't mean you're an idiot or that everyone in the room will think so.
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment without judgment. When you're anxious, your thoughts are often focused on the future (e.g., "What if I fail?") or the past (e.g., "I can't believe I said that!"). By bringing your attention back to the present moment, you can help calm your anxious mind. Try taking deep breaths and focusing on the sensation of the air moving in and out of your body, or pay attention to the sights, sounds, and sensations around you.
Challenge your negative thoughts. When you have an anxious thought, try to look at it objectively and ask yourself if it's really true. Is it really likely that the worst-case scenario will happen? Is there any evidence to support this thought, or is it just a fear? By questioning your negative thoughts, you can help put them into perspective and reduce your anxiety.
Find healthy ways to cope with anxiety and stress. Anxiety and stress are a normal part of life, and it's important to find healthy ways to cope with them. Exercise, deep breathing, and spending time with loved ones are all effective stress-reduction techniques. Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and unhealthy coping mechanisms (e.g., overeating or oversleeping) can also help reduce anxiety.
If your anxiety is severe and interferes with your daily life, it's important to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can help you work through any underlying issues and learn coping strategies that may be contributing to your anxiety.
In conclusion, anxiety is a common and normal emotion that everyone experiences. However, when it becomes chronic and interferes with daily life, it's essential to take steps to manage it. By recognizing that your thoughts are just thoughts, practicing mindfulness, challenging negative thoughts, finding healthy ways to cope with stress, and seeking professional help if needed, you can put your anxiety into perspective and live a happier life.