This technique will allow you to quickly redirect your anxious thoughts.
What is anxiety? It is defined as a state of uneasiness and apprehension about future uncertainties.
To me, anxiety is a feeling of being overwhelmed by negative thoughts. Usually anxiety comes from endless thoughts of worry, doubt or fear. I call it a negative thought loop. The same thought races through your head over and over again. These thoughts can come from health scares, a dental visit after an unpleasant previous visit, worry over bills, worry over the future of your life or those you care about, or any past traumatic event you experienced. For some people, anxiety comes right before doing any type of public speaking. It can come in many forms.
If it is only for a short period of time, you can handle this stress, but it goes on for longer periods then you risk the chance of breaking down physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.
So what can you do about anxiety? Here are the steps I suggest.
1.) Become aware of being anxious.
2.) Realize that you can only think about one thing at a time. So why not change your mental channel to something more positive?
3.) Mentally choose to focus on the outcome of what you want to happen vs the outcome you fear will happen. Each time you mentally go back to the negative fears, say to yourself, “No, I do not choose to think about this.” “I choose to use my mental energy to focus on the positive outcome that I want.”
Micheal Jordan the legendary basketball player, has made his share of game winning baskets. When the game was on the line and his last shot will either win or loss the game, he said he only thought of winning the game. He envisioned he ball going into the basket. He never thought of losing it. His mental toughness (and superior talent) are what set him apart from the others. Most people, when put in a similar situation, think of the worst case scenario. They think, “What if I miss the shot and lose the game for my team?, instead of thinking, “Wow, what an opportunity! I have a chance of winning the game for my team.”
So whether it’s sports or everyday life, try to get into the habit of envisioning a positive outcome.
If you are worried about the plane crashing when you go on vacation. Instead of worrying about negative”What-ifs”, change your thoughts to envisioning a smooth trip to your environment.
If you are worried about not having any money to pay your bills next month? Instead of worrying? Use your focus to say what if something wonderful happened to me where an opportunity comes to me to help me find the funds? Believe it or not, this is the Law of Attraction in effect.
If you are worried about your health after a dire diagnosis, you can worry about it or you can take the attitude that you will make a full recovery. Is this all Airy Fairy thinking? Some would say “Yes”. My point would be that even if it is, it would save you the torture of emotional suffering while you were physically going through your challenges. But my point would be that positive thinking has created more than its fair share of miracles. This is where faith comes in.
So what should you do if you have tried everything and you still feel worried and stressed about the challenges you face? Here’s a trick that I used and it helped me a lot. When I was most worried and fearful I eventually became fed up with it. I asked myself what is the worst case scenario of whatever I am facing? Is it poverty? Is it death? Is it being alone? What? Then accept that as a possible reality. Why? Because once you accept it, you face that fear. What happens when you face your fears? They go away.
Then all that is left is the day to day reality of what actually happens. Those fears may or may not actually end up happening, but I can honestly tell you that worrying has never helped anything. In fact, it has only added the maximum amount of suffering for an event that may or may not happen.
It’s been my experience that most feared events never end up happening. A few do, and those you need to weather, but the beautiful thing is that if you survive you will come out a stronger and better version of yourself.
One last thing you can do to help with anxiety is to start breaking down the problem of whatever you are facing. Is there anything you can do or learn about it? What steps of things could possibly solve the challenge you face? Then start working towards that end. You’ll be surprised that when you are working towards your goals you are usually too busy to worry and you are working toward helping yourself,
So the next time you are suffering and worried, remember to change the channel in your head to something more positive. Find that peaceful place that feels comforting and is mentally soothing.
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Joe Rapisarda
Awaken Your Power
www.JoeRapisarda.com
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