My Story With Anxiety
A lot of what we go through in adulthood somehow reflects on our experiences from childhood. We naturally pick up habits good or bad without knowing but some habits within the mind are always there lingering no matter what we do. My anxiety stems from bullying from my childhood from the way I walked. I had what they call intoeing where one foot, points inward instead of straight. This was a cocktail with a family history of anxiety to go outside.
Luckily, I had more domineering sides within my personality where I eventually stood up for myself against the bully’s and pushed every fear of anxiety into a challenge. But somehow the anxiety I get when I walk alone is ever-present. I just can’t shake it. It’s a battle within my own mind where thoughts spiral out of control and body parts are highly focused on. The sweat drips down my back but I still move forward. A habit I truly love that no matter the battle within my mind I still move forward.
Over the years, I’ve held objects in my hand, called people and listened to music to combat my anxiety. As good as they were more of a distraction, not a remedy to control my thoughts. Then at 31, I found a solution.
Combining Gratitude With Anxiety
Throughout my life, I’ve always focused on self-care and tried to improve myself as best I could. One part of my self-care routine has been incorporating gratitude. I’ve done quickfire gratitude in the morning and a more reflective one at night. I have witnessed first the power it can have to change your thoughts patterns and the feeling of happiness it can give you.
Then on a walk home, I felt more tense than usual and the anxiety was coming back strong. I was losing control of my thoughts then a habit I have been practising for months just kicked in and I was spouting gratitude for what the eye could see.
I was grateful for the trees, birds singing, the sun in the sky, being able to walk. Very simple things that I could see. Very quickly my mind quietened, my body relaxed and I was calm again. The panic within my mind was over and I was feeling great again.
When I arrived home I was amazed at how effective this discovery was and I wanted to test it again.
I tested it in a busy city centre, school runs and any opportunity when I could walk alone. Every time the anxiety of the mind was quietened. I now had control over my anxiety when walking alone!
Why It Works
After using this mindset habit, here are my biggest lessons learned.
- With further research I have found that gratitude helps the brain release dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions.
- We can only think of one thing at a time, replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts is a simple strategy for control over our thinking.
- It stops the imagination running wild with false observations and fantasy’s that have no truth.
- You can never get rid of anxiety or negative thoughts but you can get them under control with the correct habits in place.
Where Else Anxiety Pops Up
Research has found that anxiety is a personal experience that can differ greatly from person to person. But the commonality that applies is when the mind or body feels like it’s under attack. A great feeling to know if you’re in danger. But the mind can find it hard to distinguish from its original functionality to keep us alive when humans first roamed the Earth compared to modern times now where it’s relatively peaceful in daily life.
Anxiety can pop up anywhere from a stressful situation and a triggered memory or under pressure.
In all these situations you can’t suppress the feeling of anxiety. It’s like putting a lid on a volcano, it’s going to explode one way or another. What we have to do is move away from it so it can’t affect us. We do this within the mind by moving our thoughts away from the anxiety onto thoughts that make us happy. This is why practising gratitude within your mind can do just that.
Because happiness isn’t gratitude. Gratitude is happiness.
How To Make It Work For You
Like any new habit make it as easy as possible.
First identity where your anxiety pops up.
Secondly, quickfire gratitude until the focus of the anxiety is gone. For example before public speaking, practise gratitude when you’re waiting to get on stage, not during it.
Thirdly make it a habit for life.
Lastly, anxiety doesn’t have to control our lives. When we let anxiety rule us, it takes away our dreams and purpose in life. It then becomes a habit and a cycle with every passing moment becomes harder and harder to unravel.
Develop and practice the mindset no matter the challenge and discomfort you face you keep moving forward and do it anyway. Your life will be more fulfilled and amazing moments will be created.
I hope with all my being this has helped in some way. Fighting anxiety is a battle we can win as long as we wake up every day willing to fight.
Has this helped you today? What anxiety do you go through on a daily basis? I would love to hear your thoughts and your experiences. Always remember your not alone and everything can change.
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A Final Word From The Future Mindset
I hope you enjoyed today’s article If you’re struggling with anxiety. Don’t worry you’re not alone. Millions of people go through the same experience every day. I hope the article has helped in some way. If you need extra help or any questions answered. Don’t hesitate to contact me at adam@thefuturemindset.com
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