Managing Anxiety: Seeking Better Ideas

I just started therapy about 3 weeks ago, and something super valuable that i’ve learned is any time I have an anxious thought, write down exactly what came into my head. then write down on the other side, the reality of the situation. read it back a few times if you need to. anxiety can be so overwhelming and I know it can seem like the anxious thought is the reality, but really thinking about what’s rational and irrational and writing it down has been so so so beneficial

I can relate

you’ve probably heard this a billion times by now, and it will sound really cliche, but man, when i tell you practicing mindfulness has changed my life, i am not lying. i’ve found that forcing myself to live purely in the moment and let myself feel all the physical sensations in my body freely has helped me relax and reduce my anxiety. it’s because everything about the past and the future become less relevant… taking time to feel the grass under my feet, to smell my favorite incense burning, to focus on my breath.. it really has helped me appreciate the little seconds i have in my life and slow down.

My therapist taught me 5-4-3-2-1 to practice being more mindful and getting out of that anxious headspace: #1 deep breaths, slow, say “Worry is an illusion” #2 -say aloud 5 things you see #3 -say aloud 4 things you hear #4 -say aloud 3 things you feel/touch #5 -say aloud 2 things you smell (one is ok) #6 -say aloud 1 thing you taste #7 -say aloud these things are my present, I am safe, I am good and the present is where I truly exist. Everything else can wait…. Tapping into my 5 senses really, really helps me get out of my head. I hope it might help you!

Yoga, meditating, for me being at the pool or the ocean.

I found crochet to be very soothing. The repetitive motion helps me think clearly about what exactly I'm anxious about. What is the worst case scenario? Is the worst case scenario really that catastrophic? What can be done to fix the worst case scenario should it occur? One thought and one row of stitches at a time. Now I'm not as anxious and I have a new dish towel!

What really works for me is finding the root of your fear, and finding a logical connection to why that fear is illogical. Contrast it with the fact that the fear itself is so unlucky and it can help reground you:). Also, prayer and Jesus 💕