There are different factors that can cause you to experience anxiety. As shown in the last post anxiety is ‘a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.’ It can be difficult living with anxiety as it can often disrupt your everyday living. If your experience of anxiety gets more and more difficult each day make sure to seek professional help. In this post I want to talk about some helpful ways to ease anxiety as part of your mental wellbeing.
- Beware of the Negative Thoughts.
If you are someone who struggles with anxiety one of the things that you will notice is how easy it is to think negatively. It is easy to think that your negative thoughts are the absolute truth. I speak from experience when I say that when a negative thought settles it is difficult for me to see any other perspective, or reason any other way.
For this reason, it is important to identify the negative thoughts and deal with them. The first thing to do as I mentioned, is to identify the negative thoughts. This is because we so often think negatively that we normalise those negative thoughts. But what you need to do is break those negative thoughts down and ask yourself why the outcome has to be negative.
Secondly, what you need to do is to think of more positive alternatives. What are some ways that the situation you are thinking of can have a positive outcome? This is important to help you not to excessively worry about that situation. However, there is no guarantee that the worst cannot happen, but it is better to give yourself options. But remember the most important thing is that your negative thoughts are feelings and not the truth. This understanding should help centre your thinking.
- Be Kind to yourself.
A lot of people who suffer with anxiety will tell you one certain thing. They are not kind to themselves. In fact, they do not even consider that kindness is a central aspect of dealing with anxiety. This kindness is especially needed when you fail or make a mistake. It is often at this point where anxiety is at its peak, when we make mistakes, or we fail. Speaking from experience I know that some of my worst days so to say, are when I make mistakes. I will ponder at that mistake, worry, think about it and then make assumptions about how people will never forget it.
However, have you ever considered that if your friend made a mistake, you would not berate them like you do yourself. Therefore, next time you start to beat yourself up for your mistakes, imagine that you are talking to a close friend. If you do this honestly you will find it easier to be kinder to yourself.
- Put those thoughts on Trial.
You know when you are reading something and think, this one is for me. Well, this next point is for me indeed and maybe you as well. You see one of the things that have caused me great anxiety in my life is this thing called Assumptions. I will find myself thinking about a situation then what follows is just straight assumptions. Which then leads to overthinking and just pure restlessness. You see the issue is that it is easy to assume that every negative thought is true.
However, the next time that a negative thought or assumption presents itself to you. The next thing that you need to do is put those assumptions on trial. A proper trial weighs the evidence that is presented and is critically assesses it. Ask yourself questions on what evidence you have for those assumptions. Matter of fact ask yourself how many times you’ve actually been right in your assumptions. The aim with this trial is to start to see false thoughts, worries and assumptions. In this you start to take away the power of these thoughts.
Struggling with anxiety is something that can take a toil over you. These are some of the helpful ways to ease anxiety. Learning to manage your anxiety is important for your mental wellbeing these are some tips to help.
The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
