Mandy JenkinsAnxiety is often treated like an obstacle that is impossible to get over and has been one of the most feared enemies in our brains. We feel completely helpless and out of control when “under its spell”. But in reality, fearing and trying to put down your anxiety is part of what makes is such a problem. The less harmful you believe stress to be, the less harmful it will be. It’s important to manage your stress in a calm way to limit the bad effects it has on your mental health. Anxiety as a Symbol Getting to the root of your anxiety will help you think about the cause of it, what it’s trying to tell you, and the possible ways to resolve or fix the situation. You don't have to like the experience of anxiety to use it effectively. It is designed to be uncomfortable so you can pay attention and do what you need to make it stop. Anxiety lets you know that there is an issue that needs to be addressed. Just as you try to figure out what the problem is and resolve it, you have to work to determine what your anxiety is trying to tell you. As you determine solutions and begin to execute them, you’ll notice the anxiety begins to dissipate. Label the Feeling Naming anxiety let you process its message, rather than just reacting to the discomfort it causes. Labeling your anxiety can reduce stress, and activates better emotional regulation such as problem solving and planning. How you label your experience is completely in your control and you can channel your anxiety into a resource you can use to your advantage. A study published in July from the University of Illinois on brain personality traits and brain volume, confirmed that a positive attitude can boost your brain’s ability to manage discomfort. Say that you’re nervous you may have upset someone, reframe worry into care about a person who matters. This is an example of a good why to label your feelings and understand how to turn negativity into positivity. Anxiety is good While an overload of anxiety can be detrimental, a moderate amount of anxiety promotes optimal functioning. If you understand what anxiety is trying to do, you don't have to view and treat it like an enemy. Anxiety is often a call to pay attention to the thing that needs our attention. According to a German study published in 2017, one of the most effective things you can do to limit anxieties escalation, is to decide you can handle it. Mind over matter is an important concept when it comes to managing anxiety and stress because it’s important to remain in control and to tell yourself that you can manage anything that comes your way. Research shows that anxiety can actually be a pathway to our best selves. Even ideas from ancient philosophers like Charles Darwin believe that positive psychology have pointed in this direction. To confirm, severe anxiety can still be debilitating. But for many people who experience it at more moderate levels, anxiety can be helpful and educational as long as we’re open enough to embrace and reframe it. Clark, A. H. (2018, October 16). How to Harness Your Anxiety. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/well/mind/how-to-harness-your-anxiety.html?rref=collection/timestopic/Psychology and Psychologists&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=10&pgtype=collection “Top 5 Coping Skills to Manage Anxiety.” NYC Psychologist | Psychologist New York City | Anxiety, Relationships, Self-Image, Depression Therapy NYC, 17 May 2015, www.drbrustein.com/2015/03/5-ways-to-manage-anxiety/.
1 Comment
John
12/12/2018 09:51:44 am
Very interesting! I really like how you acknowledge that anxiety is something we feel and that it is not the end if we deal with it. It is definitely a problem we all face. But by acknowledging it, it does not mean you have an unsolvable problem, it just means that you are that much closer to not having to deal with the issue or finding a way to better deal with the issue. Very good blog post!
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