Have you ever just laid in your bed and your mind is instantly racing and you can’t calm down. You are thinking about what is going on with you and why you are feeling this way? Anxiety can be like that: a false alarm that tricks your mind and body into worrying constantly. At times, anxiety brings on that fear response. Anxiety can take over your brain but can also be felt in the body, with symptoms such as a pounding heart, stomach in knots and sweating. There are things you can do to control these emotions?
- Acknowledge and you must face it directly rather than turn away from it, also give yourself a thought and feelings reality check:
- Ask yourself, ‘what are you afraid will happen at the moment. Are you in actual danger? If you answer no then you need to reassure yourself that you are experiencing a false alarm and you are OK.
- Next, ground yourself in the present and feel your feet on the ground. I like to use this exercise called the 3-3-3 where you name three objects you can see, feel, and hear. The goal here isn’t to relax at the moment but shift your attention away from your thoughts. You may still be anxious, but you are trying to signal your brain to place the attention elsewhere and work through the anxious behaviors.
You are in control, do not allow your anxiety to control you!
Mechelle Taylor, AMFT