Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a worry whirlpool, swirling down a drain of “what ifs” and negative thoughts? Anxiety, that persistent hum of unease, can trap us in this mental maelstrom, stealing our peace and joy.
But fear not, fellow navigators of the emotional seas! You don’t have to stay adrift. Here’s how to break free from the anxiety trap and find your calm centre:
- Acknowledge the Whirlpool: The first step is awareness. Notice your anxious thoughts and worries without judgment. Are they circling around past events, future uncertainties, or imagined scenarios? Once you acknowledge them, you can start to challenge their power.
- Move Away from the Turbulent Waters: Stop dwelling on the unpleasant things of life: worrying about what has happened; thinking of all the things that could go wrong in the future; taking to heart all the horrible things that are going on in the world that you can’t do anything about? Dwelling on the unpleasant things of life drags you further into the anxiety whirlpool.
- Seek Calmer Waters: Start noticing the good things in life. Give yourself a pat on the back when you get something right. Get yourself excited about the things that could go well for you. Think about what you are grateful for.
- Steer Towards the Middle Way: You cannot ignore the bad stuff that is happening in the world. You cannot avoid bad things happening to you. You have to deal with it – but you don’t have to dwell on it. Find yourself the middle way – the middle way that lets you deal with the bad stuff only for as long as you need to, while you focus most of your time on the good stuff.
- One Stroke at a Time: Remember, getting out of the whirlpool takes time and effort, but you can do it – just take one stroke at a time; take it day by day.
- Get Help if You Need To: Friends and family can help – people to talk to who will listen. If you need professional help, you will still have to invest time and effort, but you will get out of the whirlpool faster.
I help people who are only just coping with stress and anxiety. I use hypnotherapy to help them get back in control of their lives and get rid of unwanted symptoms. I work out of my clinic in Fleet, Hampshire as well as working online.
Photo by Erik Mclean on pexels