Anxiety is typically triggered by fear of the unknown or the discomfort of uncertainty. As common as anxiety is, we should still be wary as there is a difference between normal anxiety and abnormal anxiety.
Normal anxiety is relatively short-lived. Unhealthy anxiety is when the worry is more intense than what is appropriate for the situation. People experiencing unhealthy anxiety may have difficulty sleeping because of excessive worry. They may also get anxious without any triggering factor.
Though being anxious is normal, we need to find ways to manage it. Here are some steps we can take:
Acknowledge your state. Recognize when you are in a fearful state; know what you are feeling well enough to pinpoint if your emotions are heightened compared to usual. Recognize when the anxiety is no longer healthy.
Show compassion to yourself. Treat yourself well because the best person who can help you through these anxious times is yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You are entitled to your emotions. Never tell yourself that you’re not supposed to be anxious.” Respect the emotion. Don’t judge it. Write it down for further reflection.
Practice kindness. Between zero to 5, how kind are you towards yourself? Zero being kind to the world but unkind to yourself and 5 being perfectly kind toward yourself.
Sit with your thoughts. Practice reflection and introspection. As one of my favorite writers who also happens to be a monk, Haemin Sunim, would say, “When life disappoints, rest a moment.”
Practice gratitude. We are sometimes flooded with the what-ifs and should be’s. Make a conscious effort to look at the good. While anxiety is focused on the uncertainty of the future, gratitude is focused on the here-and-now. Count your blessings and remain rooted in the good that is happening for you and all around you.
Create connections. We need physical and emotional connections. These connections can be felt through hugs and by being present for each other. The goal is to restore ourselves to a state of openness.
Get moving. Ground yourself in an activity whether it’s yoga, a sport, or a light stretch. We need to learn how to pump up the happy hormones to beat stress.
Practice mindfulness. This is the awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and whatever is going on in our mind and body. You can start by being mindful of your breathing.
Many of us are anxious because we often rush towards things that are not happening. This also stems from our attempt to grasp things beyond the human mind. Find your anchor. Is it gratitude? Is it faith? Whatever it is, stay rooted. Choose to love and support yourself.
Photo by Taylor Deas-Melesh on Unsplash