How to Hit Your Anxiety Off-Button: A Personal Journey
Anxiety can feel like a well-meaning friend who won't stop banging on your door, warning of dangers both real and imagined. It manifests in countless ways: health worries, relationship fears, a persistent sense of dread, or even physical sensations like a racing heart.
While a degree of anxiety is normal – it's our body's way of signaling potential threats – it becomes problematic when it spirals out of control. The fear that was supposed to protect us becomes the danger itself.
My Anxiety Story (and How I Found Peace)
In my early 40s, I seemed to have a good life to anyone looking on from outside. But beneath the surface, I was a tightly wound ball of nervous energy.
Then, a debilitating illness forced me to stop everything for two entire weeks. For the first time, I experienced a profound sense of calm.
For the first time ever, I woke up without what I now know is called “anxiety”.
It was a revelation.
As life resumed, so did the nervous feeling in my physical body. But now, I knew it wasn't normal. I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, learning about emotional abuse, trauma, and the intricate workings of the nervous system. It was a long road, but I eventually learned how to wake up anxiety-free every single day.
Turning Down the Volume on Anxiety
The goal isn't to eliminate anxiety completely, but to restore it to its natural, helpful state. Here's how:
Feel It to Heal It: The first step is to reconnect with your body and its sensations. Anxiety often stems from deeply held beliefs and past experiences. Acknowledging those feelings is crucial.
Catch the Snowball Early: Anxiety can quickly snowball into an avalanche. Learn to recognize the earliest signs – that subtle knot in your stomach, the racing thoughts – before it escalates.
Talk to Your Body: When anxiety strikes, name the feeling and where you feel it in your body. "I'm feeling anxious, and it's tightness in my chest." This simple act engages your rational brain and can help calm the primal fear response.
Self-Soothing: Create a sense of safety within your body. This could involve deep breathing, grounding techniques, or other practices that tell your nervous system, "You're okay."
Say “Thank You”: Thank your body for warning you of what your mind believes to be imminent danger, while also saying “I’ve got this.” All feelings, including anxiety, are rooted in the past. Update your system by letting it know that the past is over: you are now an adult who no longer requires the same level of warning and protection.
Follow these steps to support your nervous system in finding its way to a natural balance, and watch a whole new reality unfold!
You Are Not Alone
Remember, anxiety is a natural response, but it doesn't have to control your life. By understanding its roots and learning to respond with compassion, you can regain your power and live with greater ease and joy.
