Anxiety. It’s one of the biggest challenges we face in our day-to-day lives. Whether it’s mild or debilitating, anxiety can be a real thorn on our side. Even more than that, it can sometimes be overwhelming to think of conquering your anxiety. But there is hope. You can conquer your anxiety by following these simple steps:
- Understand that your anxiety is not rational, and doesn’t reflect reality.
- Take control of your thoughts and emotions by challenging and changing the negative thoughts that contribute to your anxiety.
- Take specific action steps to deal with the situations or activities that trigger your anxiety.
If you follow these steps, you will gradually learn to live a happier, more anxiety-free life!
Identify Your Triggers.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to conquering anxiety. What works for one person might not work for another. But there are some general steps that can help you get started.
The first step is to identify your triggers. What situations or conversations make you feel anxious? Once you know what sets you off, you can start working on ways to deal with those triggers.
For example, if public speaking is your trigger, you might try practising in front of a small group of people or recording yourself speaking and playing it back. If talking to people at parties makes you anxious, try socializing in smaller groups or having a few drinks to loosen up.
Reframe Your Thinking.
You’re heading to your best friend’s wedding and you’re ecstatic – until you remember that you have to give a speech in front of the entire congregation. Your heart races, your palms sweat, and you feel like you’re going to vomit. Sound familiar?
If anxiety is keeping you from living your life, it’s time to take some steps to overcome it. The first step is to reframe your thinking.
Don’t see your anxiety as a hindrance – see it as a challenge that you can overcome. When you start to view yourself as someone who can conquer your fears, you’ll be surprised at what you’re capable of.
Relax Your Body.
If anxiety has a physical symptom, it’s tight muscles. When you’re feeling anxious, your body is in a fight-or-flight mode, and that causes your muscles to tense up. This not only makes you feel uncomfortable, it also makes it harder to think clearly.
The good news is that there are ways to relax your body and calm down. One method is called progressive muscle relaxation. To do this, start by tensing and then releasing one muscle group at a time. For example, start with your feet and work your way up to your head. You can also try deep breathing exercises, which help to calm the mind and slow the heart rate.
Challenge Your Anxiety.
Here are four steps to help you get started on conquering your anxiety:
- Identify the source of your anxiety.
- Face that source head-on.
- Take tiny steps to overcome your fear.
- Celebrate your successes!
Anxiety can be a really debilitating condition, but it doesn’t have to control your life. By following these simple steps, you can start to take back control and conquer your anxiety.
