Dealing With Anxiety
Anxiety is new for me. I used to be shy, but not like this. Even with all the trauma that I’ve seen, I haven’t been afraid of much for many years. You can imagine the stress of my early life’s story and correctly assume I used to be afraid a lot. Child sexual abuse and sex trafficking are horrific. I started a Biblical journey of healing in my early twenties. Scripture memorization and affirmations helped me become secure and able to live more fully. Capturing my thoughts helped in dealing with anxiety.
My way of dealing with anxiety.
Sleep deprivation over the past three months has started to impact all aspects of life. I’ve been ill for over a year, but the sleep disturbances began this January.
It’s been a difficult time. I don’t go out much and I don’t see too many people. Isolation might be part of the problem. Regardless of the cause, anxiety is a problem.
I found three ways that I can manage it. This won’t work for everyone, but it has been just the ticket for me. That doesn’t mean that I have conquered it, only that there are tools to manage it.
- Meet it. By that, I mean that I recognise it for what it is. That awkward feeling of impending doom is just a feeling.
- Get curious about it. Assess if it is physical, mental, or circumstantial. Is there anything to be done?
- Change the internal conversation. I consider the entire situation and change the narrative in my mind, or out loud.
- Redirect the feelings. Instead of a challenging or distressing situation, I remind myself to look for an opportunity.
This is the shortest list I could come up with. Dealing with anxiety might come down to getting to know yourself and be able to talk to yourself in positive ways. I pray you are able to do the same.
Be well, My Friends.