11 Tools to Control Fear and Anxiety (part 2)

In our last blog we discussed that one of the curses of being able to think and reason is the ability to feel fear and anxiety, even when neither are warranted. Fear and anxiety can serve as helpful cues that there may be a situation that deserves caution, but after this is accomplished, they actually cause more harm than good.

As a reminder, you and I create our own fear and anxiety. We also have the ability to create peace of mind and confidence in our lives.

Please accept it, you are responsible for you and I am responsible for me. The creator has given us amazing complex minds and a part of that complexity is the ability to control our fears and anxieties.

Reviewing part 1 of 11 Tools to Control Fear and Anxiety:

·      Breathing is the fastest way to derail fear and anxiety.

·      Act normally.

·      Spend time with supportive friends and family.

·      Have positive expectations.

·      Start small.

·      Let it go.

In this article we will follow up from the last blog with the remaining 5 ways to learning how to control our fears and anxieties.

1.     Sweat. The chemicals that your body releases during times of fear and anxiety can last quite a while. One easy way to get rid of them is to exercise. Work up a sweat and watch your fear and anxiety melt away. This is also a much healthier way to deal with unpleasant feelings than drugs, alcohol, or overeating.

2.     Reward yourself. After dealing successfully with a challenging situation, celebrate. This will help teach your brain that these stressful situations have a positive outcome. Buy yourself something small or do something enjoyable. Something that puts you in a good mood is a good choice.

3.     Take action. If you’re worried, do something to resolve the source of your worry. By taking action, you’re taking responsibility. You also become more focused on your plan, which takes your mind away from your worries. The more you do to resolve the situation, the less fear and anxiety you’ll feel.

4.     Distract yourself. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do about the situation. In those cases, distractions can provide relief. Ensure that your distractions are positive, such as reading something beneficial or getting some exercise. At the very least, avoid distractions that are unhealthy or lead to additional challenges.

5.     Use positive affirmations. Keep your mind focused on positive thoughts by saying positive things to yourself. How you talk to yourself affects your mood and experience.

Fear and anxiety can be crippling if allowed to go too far. There are many techniques for minimizing these negative emotions. Those that feel fear and anxiety on a regular basis are experts at generating these feelings.

Become an expert at generating feelings of peace and comfort, instead. It just takes practice.