Dealing With Anxiety

Anxiety. "A feeling of worry, nervousness, or uneasy about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome."

The feelings of anxiety can be a hard topic to discuss because each individual person has their own perception of what and how anxiety feels to them. I believe we all, as a human race, have witnessed the feelings of anxiety before- and we all can say that it isn't the greatest feeling in the world. It can make a day go from a beautiful experience to "when can I go to bed" type of day. I've been there, we've all been there- and I believe it's time to talk about how we can deal with this worry inside of our heads.

From the time I started school and was able to think my own thoughts, I have been dealing with severe anxiety. This anxiety would overcome me, drain me, and mask over the actual person I am. It would take all of my serene thoughts and destroy them, as if I wasn't worthy of thinking happily. I believe that anxiety solely derives from our past experiences and what an individual has witnessed for themselves. With me: seeing a divorce, going through multiple break ups, getting cheated on, thinking that I had to meet this certain standard- all of this inconsistency filled my life and I had no idea how to handle them.

I would literally worry myself sick. I remember a time about 2 years ago when I was on my way to an amazing vacation, I had an anxiety attack. The feeling of uncertainty took over me, and all I could think of was: "What if someone hurts me at this foreign place? What if we wreck on the way there? Is the hotel safe? What if something happens to me or my friends?" I got so worked up on the drive, that I ended up pulling over and laying in the grass. My stomach hurt, my head hurt, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone, and it was at this time that I realized I really needed to work on myself. I can't even count how many arguments, dark thoughts, and uneasiness that anxiety caused for me, and it was finally time for me to be in control of my own mind again.

Over the years, I've obtained a grasp on my thoughts and feel as if I am at a state to give others advice on how to deal with anxiety. I don't believe that this feeling ever fully will disappear, however I do believe that you have the ability to control how you think- and that's just what I've done. Here are a few ways that I've used to control my thoughts, my mind, and the way I perceive things.

1. Opposition Thinking

This method of thinking is based on only focusing on the positives throughout your day. Treat your mind like a giant slide projector, with every thought in your mind being a slide. Whenever a negative slide comes to the surface of the mind, take swift action to replace it with a positive one. Change your whole demeanor, and train your mind to only let positive thoughts in. I know it is easier said than done, however thinking this way will have you feeling and thinking happier. It will take work, but performing this each day will have you thinking more clearly. Sometimes, I will find myself smiling randomly in order to trigger my mind and thoughts that I want to be happy. Once you can control your own thoughts, you'll feel that anxiety will diminish.

2. The Heart Of The Rose

This method is based on giving yourself time to breathe and relax, as well as training your mind to focus on one thing at a time. In today's society, our minds have become molded to deal with and think about so many things at once. By clearing your mind and giving yourself at least 10 minutes out of your day to focus, you'll realize how this focus will help train your mind to only tune in on what YOU want to bring to the surface. Steps for this method: Find an empty room, area, or place to relax. Grab a rose, or anything that has detail. Sit in this room, and only focus on the rose. The detail, the way the petals are shaped, the aroma it leaves, everything and anything you can think of about this rose. Try to do this for 10 minutes, only focusing on that one object. It might be hard at first, but that should show you how off-track your mind can be from its focus. Keep trying until you master 10 minutes, doing this each day you can- and after that, reach for 20 minutes. Then 30, and so forth. You will soon have a strong, trained mind that will be able to control your focus and thoughts.

3. The Secret Of The Lake

This method is based on our self image. A lot of our anxiety comes from how we perceive ourselves, and most of the time- that perception isn't a pretty one. If we actually see ourselves for what we truly are, pointing out all of positive things we love and desire to be, anxiety will no longer control us. Appreciate yourself for everything that you are, and do not let your thoughts say otherwise. Steps for this method: Stand in front of a mirror or a type of reflection. See yourself in this reflection, and embrace every detail. Now, start picturing what you dream to be. Visualize yourself becoming what you've always dreamed of- whether that be an empowered woman, a noble man, or a scientist that helped cure cancer- visualize this goal for yourself. See yourself as this person, and cultivate all of your life's dreams. Our minds seem to work through pictures. Pictures affect your self-image, and your self-image affects the way you feel, act, and achieve. When you run inspiring, imaginative pictures through the movie screen of your mind, you will start to feel inspired and motivated to achieve these things. Rather than anxiety telling you that you will never reach your goals, visualize them and train your mind that "If I want this done for myself, it will happen."

We are more than our anxiety. Do not let this define who we are, and realize that we need to have control over our own thoughts. The quality of our lives are determined by the quality of our thoughts. You have the power to control them, and to say the hell with anxiety.

I hope you guys found my advice useful, and I hope you all will use these tips as they've helped me tremendously. Also, a huge shout out to the book, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari," for helping me through my anxiety process. If you like to read, I also encourage you to read powerful, uplifting books. It helps to see these words in fine print, and give yourself that time to focus on what you want to change. Let me know if you have any questions, want more advice, or just someone to talk to. I am always here for you guys, and I can't thank you enough for the love and support.

As Always,

Stay Loving.

Stay Kind.

XOXO,

Hannah