We cannot control most of the things that happen in the universe. Both dull and scary issues often leave a profound effect on our lives.
However, Talkspace says that focusing on things that we can easily control can help us manage our anxiety. For example, our thoughts, behaviors, and feelings are things that we can control. We learn this from the serenity prayer:
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Anxious moods often surround people. Is it possible to avoid getting into anxiety?
Human beings try to avoid exposing themselves to horrific headlines, but being social creatures, we ultimately get curious and concerned about what is happening around us.
It isn’t wrong to be concerned about the world around you. It helps create positive changes in our communities.
Macro events should be there to empower us, so we should come to terms with the uncertainty of our predictions. We should fend off fear; tackle serious topics more often to reduce anxiety.
Acknowledge the Uncertainty
Anxiety is speculative. It often brings about worries about the future. If the future holds dangers and threats, then people will become more anxious. It, therefore, protects us from the risks of foreseeing possible threatening outcomes. People often try to be comfortable with their usual routines. They don’t want something that would accelerate their anticipation.
Stepping Outside the Avoidance Cycle
Avoidance is a natural response to how people overwhelm the feeling of fear. People have developed the illusion that avoiding certain situations helps keep you in control and safe from danger. This strengthens our self-belief that we are in control and secure, and our actions of avoiding certain situations are providing us with safety.
Such avoidance actions will not allow you to confront your worries. You might end up getting more afraid of fear than the threat itself.
The avoidant cycle can be treated using exposure therapy-it will help you break the self-belief that your avoidance actions are keeping you safe.
Don’t Stress Yourself over Nothing
The outbreak of coronavirus has affected every aspect of people’s lives. We are hit with unprecedented levels of uncertainty- many questions with few or no answers. For example, we aren’t sure whether doctors will find a vaccine and if we’ll stop wearing masks and observing other COVID-19 regulations.
Because we feel uneasy about this, our minds are triggered to release the “fight-or-flight” hormone causing more anxiety. If we get engulfed by this fear, we will lose our ability to assess the threat levels.
We stress ourselves so much over nothing, which can weigh us down and worsen our anxiety levels. Staying stress-free can help keep your anxiety levels on the low.
Hope is paramount
We often dwell on uncertainty as well as making scary conclusions. According to research, individuals with high anxiety quickly identify adverse outcomes if they predict that things will below. The theory of emotions explains that combining your anticipation with fear does more harm than good.
Some of us have re-programmed negativity or believe things will go downhill in the future. But if we could find some conviction that things will be great again in the future, it will be enough to turn things around.
We need to navigate through the macro-level events of our individual lives to ascertain that our minds are functioning to keep us safe or just tricking us. But we should also be flexible and accept that it’s a dynamic world. We can only adapt to the changes brought about as a result.
Learn more about the telehealth services that Talkspace offers here.