How to confront anxiety and seek new perspectives – 02/11/2024 – Balance
[ad_1]
The new year often brings lofty ambitions. It’s 2024 — time to exercise and eat better, says an insistent voice in your head. That’s enough to make anyone feel anxious. For those who already struggle with anxiety, high expectations can be even more distressing. We asked several psychologists for tips adapted for people with these tendencies.
FACE ONE OF YOUR FEARS
Research suggests that directly confronting situations that make us anxious can help break a pattern of fear and avoidance. Start by asking yourself, “How is anxiety keeping me from having the life I want?” says Regine Galanti, a psychologist who specializes in treating people with anxiety disorders. She suggests breaking down your fear into several smaller components that are easier to face and creating an action plan to help you stay accountable.
FOCUS ON YOUR VALUES
Instead of focusing on anxiety, think about the personal traits you value. Total serenity probably won’t be on the list. “Does anyone really want their tombstone to say, ‘He was calm’?” says David Tolin, director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Life Institute in Hartford, Connecticut. How do you want to be remembered? As a caring spouse? A loyal friend? Once you identify these traits, he says, try to embody them. If being generous is important, consider volunteering.
SEEK A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
Angela Neal-Barnett, a professor of psychological sciences at Kent State University, suggested thinking about what you’ve worried about over the past year. It is likely that the worst-case scenario did not happen. Maybe the amount of worry you put into a specific problem wasn’t worth it. What was the most important thing you learned? Write down your observations so you can refer to them later.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating nutritiously? Neal-Barnett recommended filling in the blank: “When I’m anxious or scared, my self-care routine is…” The list could include relaxing things like calling a friend or going for a walk outside.
[ad_2]
Source link
