There are a few critical elements, actual facts that needed to be stated about anxiety before we can learn to deal with it. Inside this post, I share how you can deal with anxiety in just 10 minutes.
We are living in uncertain times – which always brings anxiety to the forefront, even more so. But isn’t that the truth about anxiety – it can show it’s ugly head in a matter of moments during any uncertain event?
But what I hope and pray you that you know about anxiety is that it doesn’t have to define you – at least not in the way you’ve been told. Even more, you have power over your anxiety. Inside today’s podcast, I talk with Ali Damron about a subject plaguing our nation – that is the grips that anxiety and uncertainty are having on us.
In the podcast, we talk about the real cause of anxiety, how to regain power over anxiety and your mind, build confidence, and move forward even when life seems risky.
truth #1: we all have anxiety
Anxiety is a part of our DNA; regardless of race, species, gender, or age, anxiety is a part of our make-up. Every species has specific levels of “anxiety.” Certainly, there is a difference in the amount of anxiety and whether that is ‘good’ anxiety or ‘bad’ anxiety. But we all have anxiety traits.
One important truth I want to fill your mind with is this: Anxiety does not mean you are broken.
truth #2: anxiety can produce something good
Anxiety is a part of human nature that keeps us alive. It’s the subconscious workings of our survival mechanism to sense and prepare for incoming dangers based on threats. Of course, these unconscious thoughts can alter our perception of the conscious, which gives us feelings of anxiety.
But, again, it doesn’t mean the anxiety in itself is bad. Some of our best presidential leaders have been known to suffer from anxiety. Upon further research, it has been found that leaders with some underlying level of anxiety make them more aware and prepared to provide what is needed. Proactive rather than reactive.
when anxiety turns bad
The problem isn’t necessarily the anxiety – it’s the anxiety about the anxiety. It’s the fear that you shouldn’t be suffering or feeling the way you do, and so you feel guilty, shameful maybe even try to numb the feelings or mask them with other things.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should openly allow anxiety to rule our lives. This is where it’s important to note that you must learn to be in control of your anxiety, not let it control you. I think this is more of the issue rather than just trying to get rid of it altogether.
Because that’s a battle, we can never win, and fixating there is not worth the effort.
It’s learning to process your anxiety, use your anxiety for good, and controlling it rather than letting it control you.
just 10 minutes
I want to be careful in how I say this because again, anxiety is very real, scary, dark, and terrifying. But biologically speaking, let me give you some light. Anxiety does not have to be your only answer, and it doesn’t have to take you to the place of ‘worst-case scenario’ thinking.
Let me give you the science to back this up.
Inside your brain, you have trillions upon trillions of neurons. Inside these neurons {which control the communication network of your body} are something called microtubules – these are structures that work to build support or structure to the thought that is occurring.
For instance, you have a thought, say an anxious one – what happens is that though instantly gets processed in your neurons where microtubules start building a structure of supporting theories, past memories, and ideas to build a platform for that thought to stand on. If that’s anxiety, your brain is creating a full-on debate team that will go up against anything and anyone that will argue that.
This process of creating supporting scaffolding via your microtubules inside your neurons takes roughly 10 minutes.
10 minutes!
Why is this important?
It would only take 10 minutes to change your thought pattern – only 10 minutes to go from anxiety-producing thought to a positive based thought.
Just 10 minutes.
easier said than done
Of course, that’s always easier said than done – and thus why it’s essential to continually remind yourself that you are in control of your thoughts and your mind. You have the power to overrule your thought patterns rather than letting it get the best of you.
create a 10-minute list
Knowing this, then you can create a 10-minute list. Different things you can do for just 10 minutes that create positive thoughts, building the scaffolding in your brain to support that. The more you practice positive thinking, the more secure and ‘normal’ that structure becomes.
So what would be on your list?
- Could you take a 10-minute walk outside?
- Shut your computer, close your eyes, and practice deep breathing?
- Open a book you love, just for fun?
- Take a hot bath?
Start a list – 10 things you can do in 10 minutes to help you take a positive thought and put it into action.
resources
Learn more about Ali Damron and what she does using the links below:
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