How to break the anxiety loop?
Posted , 5 users are following.
I don't know if this is correct, but I've been equating being anxious everyday with being in a state of prolonged stress. In the past, I have read that being in a state of prolonged stress is not good for your long term health because it can cause high blood pressure etc. I try and counteract the negative effects of stress by exercising, eating healthy, taking medication, and meditating. However, when my anxiety shows up in everyday physical manifestations such as GERD, muscle twitching, or muscle tension it makes me feel even more anxious because it's like "I just can't beat it". When it comes to my fears, I'm afraid of losing parts of my identity that I associate very strongly with right now (like being an athlete) and losing people around me that in all likelihood will go before me (like my parents). How do I break out of these pretend events in my mind? How do I find more compassion and forgiveness for myself about being anxious? Thank you all. Best wishes
1 like, 5 replies
jan34534 brett58128
Edited
first of all Brett, having anxiety is not your fault. you should be forgiving and compassionate about yourself. Anxiety can stem from stressful events and it can even be hereditary.
anxiety produces negative thinking and it’s important to be aware of that so that you know it’s nothing you’ve done to cause it.
don’t be anxious about the thoughts that you have. Just accept that you have them and then let them go. You can actually picture of them floating off. The more you do that the more your brain will automatically do it.
getting some counseling can really be helpful and supportive. They can help you manage this.
The main thing is be good to yourself and take care of yourself. One step at a time and one day at a time.
there are some great talks and meditations on YouTube for anxiety. I do hope you get some support and feel better soon! Take care
sasical72 brett58128
Edited
Hi Brett,
I could have written your post myself so obviously I can't be of much help as I am in the same situation. But I wanted to ask if you have noticed there is a very strong "need of control" in all this? I'm noticing it very much in my case.
brett58128 sasical72
Edited
Hi Sasical,
I'm sorry to hear that you experience similar effects of anxiety. To be honest, I was actually hoping that someone would say that he/she has similar feelings as me because it's comforting to know that I'm not the only one.
"Need to control" is certainly a core driver of my anxieties. One of the most anxious times in my life was losing a job and trying to find a new one close to where my significant other and I live. I would wake up at night with panic attacks because I felt at the mercy of the world. I feel similar when it comes to climate change or even thinking about a random accident that may or may not occur to me or a loved one that could change my life forever. I am fortunate to have had a very happy childhood blissfully unaware of life's problems or consequences and I was totally fine. Now that I'm older I worry all the time. In one of my meditations the narrator says something along the lines of "if I don't worry, I feel like I'm doing nothing". I thought that is literally me. My biggest sticking point, as I said with my previous post, is control over my body and mind because if I can't control those, what do I really control? I'll try working on more acceptance, I hope you can find some peace too
sasical72 brett58128
Posted
Thank you. Yes, acceptance is the key word. Easy to say but not easy to achieve.
All the best!
nikki52225 brett58128
Posted
ive had Anxiety for about a year now. I’ve always had a little anxiety here and there but it actually took a big toll on me about a year ago when I felt like I just couldn’t shake it. I didn’t know what my body was going through but then I finally talk to a therapist and started medication and I’m not 100% better but I am definitely in a better place now. You constantly need to have a positive self talk. sometimes i do it in the mirror. Even if you don’t believe them at the time even if the thoughts keep coming back you need to keep on telling yourself positive thoughts. Once you start to think negative just say this is my anxiety everybody is OK I am OK everybody is safe I am safe I am strong I am athletic I am amazing I love myself. Any positive self talk you tell yourself you need to say it every single time you think negative. I have negative thoughts throughout my day so I’m constantly telling myself positive things and eventually the negative thoughts are there but I pay no mind to them. Some days it’s better than others because some days are more stressful than others. You need to keep yourself mindful and grounded into the present moment. Every day is a challenge but every day will get better and better but you have to keep doing the positive self talk.