fixmybrokenmind
01-25-2017, 12:19 PM
It has come to my attention recently just how good my anxiety has been lately. When I have anxiety it is all I can think about, yet when it leaves it is hardly noticeable, I just feel...normal. I like feeling normal!
I have taken some time to reflect these last few days and I want to share the five key things that have reduced my anxiety and essentially changed my life.
Many of these take practice and were hard for me at first. I am not writing this post to tell you they are all easy, nor am I being condescending whatsoever.
So here are the five things that really helped me:
#1. I Changed Jobs
I never realized how much my job was hurting my quality of life. Furthermore I was scared to leave it because I was making good money which I figured would be hard to make elsewhere.
I will tell you right now that taking a temporary paycut and going back to a job I enjoy has been 10x more beneficial for my mental health than an extra $500 in my bank a month.
My previous job as a welder was exhausting both physically and mentally. My stress levels were constantly through the roof while my energy was in the basement. Being someone who suffers from health anxiety this just created a nasty cycle I don't ever want to end up in again.
For those of you in the same situation with no possible escape, you might be very surprised. Do some research and make a long term escape plan if you have to. Sticking around at a soul sucking job literally almost killed me (made me borderline suicidal).
#2. Living In Day Tight Compartments
Taken from my favorite book of all time: How To Stop Worrying And Start Living. This book literally changed my life, and of all the useful information in that book, this may very well be the greatest takeaway I got from it.
I used to constantly worry about the future, whether it was my job, my health, or even relationships.
Living in day tight compartments, I no longer worry about something if it won't bother me in anything more than a week down the road. Cross your bridges once you get to them!
This definitely takes practice, but it is highly effective!
#3. Forfeit Control
Much of my anxiety stems from my need to have my life on my time. We live in a very entitled world and we are always told to think about ourselves first. As someone with anxiety all this does is set me back. If I have a problem I think I can eliminate it by focussing on it.
If life has taught me anything, choosing to worry has never solved a single problem of mine. Instead have faith that everything will work out. If it wasn't meant to work out, o well. Worrying wouldn't change that scenario.
If you need to, write down your concerns on a piece of paper and quickly plan what you could do to possibly avoid the negative outcome. If there is something you can do then fix it. If not leave it be and let your mind have some rest.
#4. Stay Busy
As someone who struggles with General Anxiety Disorder, I can not allow my mind to be idle for an excessive amount of time. When I am focussed on something else, I do not think about my anxiety. This is human nature and I am no exception.
The human brain can not possibly entertain more than one train of thought at a time.
I used to constantly worry about my health. Staying busy caused me to shift my focus away and think about more positive things. Instead I am now engaged at work, writing on my blog, or out with good and supportive friends who raise me up.
#5. Exercise
I have been an avid gym rat and sports enthusiast for over 8 years now and I have always recognized the mental health benefits. My anxiety was extremely high this summer when I had an injury that kept me from doing any exercise for over four months.
Upon returning to the gym I feel dramatically better. It keeps me busy and focussed, beyond the seemingly endless biological benefits it provides. I find it extremely easy to channel out negative thoughts and worries when I am hitting a punching bag, or lifting heavy weights.
I hope you found something useful in this list! If so I will definitely start some similar threads in the future!
I have taken some time to reflect these last few days and I want to share the five key things that have reduced my anxiety and essentially changed my life.
Many of these take practice and were hard for me at first. I am not writing this post to tell you they are all easy, nor am I being condescending whatsoever.
So here are the five things that really helped me:
#1. I Changed Jobs
I never realized how much my job was hurting my quality of life. Furthermore I was scared to leave it because I was making good money which I figured would be hard to make elsewhere.
I will tell you right now that taking a temporary paycut and going back to a job I enjoy has been 10x more beneficial for my mental health than an extra $500 in my bank a month.
My previous job as a welder was exhausting both physically and mentally. My stress levels were constantly through the roof while my energy was in the basement. Being someone who suffers from health anxiety this just created a nasty cycle I don't ever want to end up in again.
For those of you in the same situation with no possible escape, you might be very surprised. Do some research and make a long term escape plan if you have to. Sticking around at a soul sucking job literally almost killed me (made me borderline suicidal).
#2. Living In Day Tight Compartments
Taken from my favorite book of all time: How To Stop Worrying And Start Living. This book literally changed my life, and of all the useful information in that book, this may very well be the greatest takeaway I got from it.
I used to constantly worry about the future, whether it was my job, my health, or even relationships.
Living in day tight compartments, I no longer worry about something if it won't bother me in anything more than a week down the road. Cross your bridges once you get to them!
This definitely takes practice, but it is highly effective!
#3. Forfeit Control
Much of my anxiety stems from my need to have my life on my time. We live in a very entitled world and we are always told to think about ourselves first. As someone with anxiety all this does is set me back. If I have a problem I think I can eliminate it by focussing on it.
If life has taught me anything, choosing to worry has never solved a single problem of mine. Instead have faith that everything will work out. If it wasn't meant to work out, o well. Worrying wouldn't change that scenario.
If you need to, write down your concerns on a piece of paper and quickly plan what you could do to possibly avoid the negative outcome. If there is something you can do then fix it. If not leave it be and let your mind have some rest.
#4. Stay Busy
As someone who struggles with General Anxiety Disorder, I can not allow my mind to be idle for an excessive amount of time. When I am focussed on something else, I do not think about my anxiety. This is human nature and I am no exception.
The human brain can not possibly entertain more than one train of thought at a time.
I used to constantly worry about my health. Staying busy caused me to shift my focus away and think about more positive things. Instead I am now engaged at work, writing on my blog, or out with good and supportive friends who raise me up.
#5. Exercise
I have been an avid gym rat and sports enthusiast for over 8 years now and I have always recognized the mental health benefits. My anxiety was extremely high this summer when I had an injury that kept me from doing any exercise for over four months.
Upon returning to the gym I feel dramatically better. It keeps me busy and focussed, beyond the seemingly endless biological benefits it provides. I find it extremely easy to channel out negative thoughts and worries when I am hitting a punching bag, or lifting heavy weights.
I hope you found something useful in this list! If so I will definitely start some similar threads in the future!