4 Terrific Ways to Tame Anxiety
- Slow down, step away from your problems and put them in perspective. Instead of aiming for perfection, which is impossible, be proud of how close you get.
- Take the power out of your automatic negative thoughts. It may sound suprising, but trying to avoid negative thoughts can make them even more powerful. If you find yourself saying things like, “I’m stupid” or anything else scary/negative, try repeating the thought out loud. Psychologists have discovered that if we keep saying something over and over—about 50-100 times—it loses all meaning and the power to hurt us. Hint: Don’t believe the words—just repeat them until they lose power.
- Reach out to help someone else. It’s a sure-fire way to make your-self feel better and forget about your problems, if only for a while.
- Focus on what’s positive about the present instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Meditation, deep breathing and listening to music are ways to help you stay in the present moment.
Source: NIHIP, Vol. 30, NO. 10 October 2010 Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.