Anxiety Journal 1 - Put Up A Fight!

When you are in a heightened state of anxiety, what are 10 different phrases that you can say to yourself or to self-soothe?

For today's journaling, I have chosen this prompt. 

Anxiety comes unbidden and renders us incapable, both physically and mentally. It incapacitates the mind to this extent that we are unable to do anything at that particular moment. Every thought feels incoherent. Under such circumstances, how to calm the mind?

Today's prompt asks me to think of some phrases I can repeat to soothe the mind from anxiety. I am sharing some of the phrases that came to my mind while writing this blog:

'I am not the only one going through this.' This statement has helped to ground me during tough situations. A reminder that many people in life have had far worse times than me, and have coped and lived through them, helps me to come out from the crippling barriers of the mind and tells me that human beings have the innate ability to rise above tough times and to overcome them.

'This feeling will pass.' Feelings and emotions change with the passage of time. What you feel now will be different than what you will feel in the next few minutes, it is as fleeting as that! So, a reminder that whatever we are feeling now will pass and will not stay forever, brings a feeling of respite to the anxious mind.

'What do I have to look forward to in the near future?' I have used this question many times to ground myself. The prospect of an impending trip, chances of an outing, a book expected to be delivered shortly, someone in the family expecting a baby, a change in the routine in the next few days - something pleasant that we have planned or are expecting to happen shortly can bring immediate relief from anxiety and help to soothe the mind.

'What good thing happened today?' Focusing on the good part of the day brings in realization that everything was not as dire as we feared. That something good happened in the day and we are grateful for the same, is a perfect antidote to an anxious mind. 

'Where do I see myself in the near future?' I understand that during a state of anxiety, it is difficult to see past the present moment. But envisioning a better future for us serves as an excellent motivator and gives us hope.

'I deserve peace.' This has helped me through a lot of anxious moments. Often, anxiety is the result of some kind of guilt that we have harboring in our mind. A realization that we deserve better and we are entitled to a peaceful and calm existence can help to mitigate any kind of guilt or negativity that might be lurking in our mind and brings clarity of thought.

'It is not in my hands'. Many of us struggle mentally for things that are beyond our control. Realizing that this is something out of our bounds, and humbly surrendering to a higher power, brings in a feeling that we have done our best and now the Universe will see to it. 

'I do not need this additional tension'. We fight enough demons in our mind the whole day. Anxiety brings forth things that have not yet come to pass and probably won't. Dreading about events that have not even happened is an utter waste of time and energy. A reminder to the mind that this is something on which we cannot afford to waste our mental strength brings in clarity and helps to identify the priorities of our life.

'Only this was pending to add to my troubles!' A little bit of humor serves as an excellent shield to fend off anxiety. Imagine your mind construing a dire event. Honestly, you know this is just a plot of the mind and the chances of this event happening in reality are extremely low. And yet, anxiety makes you dread this event. 'What if this happens??' - asks the anxious mind. Your answer - 'That is what was missing all this while.' A little bit of irony, some sarcasm and some much-needed humor to the rescue! Humor reduces the gravity of the situation and helps us to take everything lightly. Using humor as a shield against anxiety is probably the best thing one can do.

'Everything will be okay gradually.' No situation lasts forever. Time heals. Reminding ourselves that in the long run, we will make it just fine, helps to soothe the anxiety of the future that threatens to overwhelm us.

There is no single foolproof method to deal with an anxious mind. And yet we need to fight it to our best ability. We are entitled to a peaceful existence.

These are few of the phrases that came to my mind while writing this. If you know any more that will help to deal with anxiety, please do share in the comments section. I wrote this blog with the hope that it will bring solace and relief to an anxious mind. Here's wishing and hoping for a peaceful existence for all of us!