Goomba
06-22-2015, 01:47 AM
I think an area that can perpetuate the patterns of anxiety (and really a lot of negative behaviors) is the motivator behind what we do to combat it. Behind all of our actions, is a reasoning as to why we did performed them.
Simply put, are your actions based in fear, or strength?
In example: One reads that exercise has been proven time and time again to aid in anxiety recovery. So, in an attempt to regain a sense of stability, said individual begins an exercise regimen.
In a basic sense, two (realistically, there may be more) options exist at this point.
The fearful motivator - The individual wants to find peace and is afraid that they are losing it (motivator). Anxiety has begun to ruin their life. Fearing they will never be "normal" (motivator) again, they begin exercising, hoping to do away with the symptoms of anxiety.
The strength motivator - The individual recognizes that their anxiety has become unhealthy, and starts to make decisions that influence a healthy lifestyle. They begin exercising in an attempt to bring more balance (motivator) into their life, and invest in a healthy future (motivator).
Example Two: Stress has begun to interfere with a intimate relationship, making what was once magical, very difficult. The anxiety sufferer decides they may want to "take a break".
The fearful motivator - The individual is afraid that their anxiety will ruin the relationship (motivator). Unsure of what to do, the individual asks for space, hoping that time will mask (motivator) the wounds.
The strength motivator - The individual is able to see that neither party in the relationship is thinking clearly, due to recent tension. The individual knows that their anxiety has been a factor and decides to discuss recent events with their partner (motivator). Collectively, they decide that a short break may help them both regain some perspective.
Essentially, there are many decisions we make/actions we take in our journey with anxiety. Just because a certain action was taken, does not mean it was taken for the right reasons. As mentioned above, exercising can be amazing in alleviating anxiety. But, if one is exercising solely because they are terrified of what their anxiety experience has been, they are actually taking an action based in anxiety, therefore, feeding it.
Do we take breaks from work to regain our sense of composure? Or, because we are afraid we will not be able to function?
Do we stay in bed to get some well deserved rest? Or, because we fear our heart may start racing as soon as we stand up?
Do we have a drink to relax? Or, because we don't know how else to make the pain go away?
Fear can be very insightful, as it tells us what we need to work on to move forward in the anxiety battle. However, if our actions (most importantly the ones that we take to fight anxiety) have fear at their core, we are only growing the anxiety, despite how healthy they may seem on the surface.
In other words, exercising out of fear will not be beneficial to defeating anxiety in the long run.
The major issue here is how intense anxiety is. Making the decision out of fear is the easy thing to do. Much like taking a med for a panic attack, or tylenol for a headache, the symptoms only go away temporarily before resurfacing. Moreover, the more we make decisions out of fear, the healthier they seem, which puts a deeper mask on the origins of our anxiety.
So, next time a action is about to be taken, will it be done in an attempt to grow some strength, or to cultivate the fire?
What motivates everything you do?
There are two fighting wolves, equally strong. One is named anxiety, the other strength. Which one will win?
The one you feed more.
Simply put, are your actions based in fear, or strength?
In example: One reads that exercise has been proven time and time again to aid in anxiety recovery. So, in an attempt to regain a sense of stability, said individual begins an exercise regimen.
In a basic sense, two (realistically, there may be more) options exist at this point.
The fearful motivator - The individual wants to find peace and is afraid that they are losing it (motivator). Anxiety has begun to ruin their life. Fearing they will never be "normal" (motivator) again, they begin exercising, hoping to do away with the symptoms of anxiety.
The strength motivator - The individual recognizes that their anxiety has become unhealthy, and starts to make decisions that influence a healthy lifestyle. They begin exercising in an attempt to bring more balance (motivator) into their life, and invest in a healthy future (motivator).
Example Two: Stress has begun to interfere with a intimate relationship, making what was once magical, very difficult. The anxiety sufferer decides they may want to "take a break".
The fearful motivator - The individual is afraid that their anxiety will ruin the relationship (motivator). Unsure of what to do, the individual asks for space, hoping that time will mask (motivator) the wounds.
The strength motivator - The individual is able to see that neither party in the relationship is thinking clearly, due to recent tension. The individual knows that their anxiety has been a factor and decides to discuss recent events with their partner (motivator). Collectively, they decide that a short break may help them both regain some perspective.
Essentially, there are many decisions we make/actions we take in our journey with anxiety. Just because a certain action was taken, does not mean it was taken for the right reasons. As mentioned above, exercising can be amazing in alleviating anxiety. But, if one is exercising solely because they are terrified of what their anxiety experience has been, they are actually taking an action based in anxiety, therefore, feeding it.
Do we take breaks from work to regain our sense of composure? Or, because we are afraid we will not be able to function?
Do we stay in bed to get some well deserved rest? Or, because we fear our heart may start racing as soon as we stand up?
Do we have a drink to relax? Or, because we don't know how else to make the pain go away?
Fear can be very insightful, as it tells us what we need to work on to move forward in the anxiety battle. However, if our actions (most importantly the ones that we take to fight anxiety) have fear at their core, we are only growing the anxiety, despite how healthy they may seem on the surface.
In other words, exercising out of fear will not be beneficial to defeating anxiety in the long run.
The major issue here is how intense anxiety is. Making the decision out of fear is the easy thing to do. Much like taking a med for a panic attack, or tylenol for a headache, the symptoms only go away temporarily before resurfacing. Moreover, the more we make decisions out of fear, the healthier they seem, which puts a deeper mask on the origins of our anxiety.
So, next time a action is about to be taken, will it be done in an attempt to grow some strength, or to cultivate the fire?
What motivates everything you do?
There are two fighting wolves, equally strong. One is named anxiety, the other strength. Which one will win?
The one you feed more.