2024-01-21 08:47:58
Experts provide 5 ways to peacefully coexist with anxiety. Pictured is a woman who feels anxious. (Fotolia)
[The Epoch Times, January 21, 2024](Epoch Times reporter Chen Juncun reported) In daily life, anxiety may follow you and linger, and the more you try to get rid of it, the more serious the problem will be. In this regard, some experts have provided several solutions. Instead of getting upset because you can’t get rid of it, it’s better to live in peace with it.
Seth J. Gillihan, an American psychologist and author of a series of psychology books, wrote on the Psychology Today website that anxiety is often like an uninvited and reckless guest. Even if you tell it to leave, it will still come. Stay for a long time. No matter what form it takes, it can be physically and mentally draining.
Gillihan writes that while some techniques for overcoming anxiety can be helpful, they may not work for everyone, and even if they do, they may not be successful every time they are used. Therefore, he offers five strategies for coping with anxiety and building a different relationship with it, as follows:
(1) Entering your body unconsciously
Gillihan says anxiety often creeps into your head, disconnecting your mind from your body and taking up more and more of your attention and energy. Go back and see what is happening to your body. When you notice any sensation—cold, hot, happy, nervous, or energized—allow yourself to calm down. Try to make your observations as neutral as possible, without making “good” or “bad” judgments. See what anxiety looks like in your body right now.
(2) Let anxiety in
This strategy seems specious. Fighting anxiety may not get rid of it, it may even make it worse. Leave it alone for a while and see what happens. Let him know that he can stay as long as he wants while you take care of other things. Even if it persists, you don’t need to make unnecessary efforts to drive it away.
A man feeling the pressure. (Fotolia)
(3) Do the next thing
Ask yourself what needs to be done. Shift your focus from relieving your feelings to doing the next thing that needs attention. Make the shift in attention as gentle as possible, without self-criticism or a harsh inner voice. Just ask yourself lovingly, what should be done? As mentioned in strategy number 2, anxiety will follow.
(4) Breathe and listen
Anxiety is an alarm whose purpose is to get your attention. Stop for a moment and look within. Listen to what your body and mind may be trying to tell you. You don’t have to think about it or solve it. Listen more with your heart, not your ears, and rely more on instinct than judgment.
Give yourself some time and space to listen to what’s underneath the troubling thoughts and feelings. Even if you can’t find the answer, it’s helpful to stop and look within.
(5) Question your determination
There is a guiding principle behind these strategies, which is to change your relationship with anxiety. People tend to have a fixed way of dealing with anxiety, which is usually to get rid of anxiety. You should start changing your thinking.
When you are anxious and want to calm down, you often need to make peace with your anxiety. When you find yourself wondering why your anxiety won’t go away, remember to remind yourself that no one said it had to be that way. Maybe dealing with anxiety isn’t your thing. Maybe it’s okay to feel anxious.
Gillihan concludes by saying to experiment with these five methods and see if they help you. Be careful not to judge their effectiveness by whether they make you feel less anxious. Although feelings play an important role in our lives, feelings are not the ultimate measure of life. You should spend your energy accomplishing things that will bring real value to your life.
Editor in charge: Jasmine
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