Got Stress?
Managing Persistent Fears and Anxieties
by Stanley Popovich
in Health
on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 6:00 AM
Everybody deals with anxiety and depression sometimes, but some of us have a particularly difficult time in managing everyday anxieties. Here is a brief list of techniques you can use to help manage your most persistent fears and every day anxieties.
Divide and conquer. When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, the first thing you can do is to divide the task into a series of smaller steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.
Take a break. Sometimes we get stressed out because everything seems to be happening at once. When this happens, you should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get your mind off of the problem. You could get some fresh air, listen to some music, or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.
Picture it. Try visualizing a red stop sign in your mind when you encounter a fear provoking thought. The stop sign serves as a reminder to stop focusing on that thought and to think of something else. You can then try to think of something positive to replace the negative thoughts.
Read and write. Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in your notebook. Whenever you feel depressed or frustrated, open up your small notebook and read those positive statements. This can help to manage your negative thinking.
One day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week, try to focus on just today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep.
Pray. Fear often comes from a lack of trust. God tells us to trust in him and to turn to him for our everyday needs. Make the time to connect with God and ask him for guidance in whatever problem it is that is worrying you today.
Get help. Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If stress and anxiety are interfering with your everyday activities and relationships, it might be time to seek professional help. A mental health professional can not only help provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem, but also teach you healthy ways to deal with stress and fear. By talking to a professional, you will help yourself in the long run, because you will become better equipped to deal with problems in the future.
Dealing with persistent fears is not easy. Patience, persistence, education, and being committed to trying to solve your problem will go along way toward overcoming anxiety and finding the happiness you deserve.
—Stanley Popovich is author of A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear: Using Psychology, Christianity, and Non-Resistant Methods.
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