These really are anxious times we live in. And if you’re suffering from stress and anxiety, you’re not alone.
Anxiety and stress, when left unchecked, can wreak havoc in your life. You feel miserable, anxiety can prevent your progress or even pull you down, and stress disrupts your relationships. Family and friends, your support system, worry about you or struggle to understand and help. Anxiety and stress can lead to or exacerbate medical problems and illnesses.
So, how can you cope with stress, worry, fear, dread, sleeplessness, increased blood pressure and rapid heartbeat, panic attacks and other symptoms? When life hands you problems it can be hard to stay optimistic and positive and handle those problems effectively.
Mind-body alternative medicine offers effective strategies and support.
Positive psychology and cognitive (thinking) techniques help you achieve and maintain a healthy and more positive outlook on your current life and future. This helps you stay calmer, feel more in control, think of new solutions and options to your problems and act more effectively. You feel better even when things are not so good.
Using meditation and visualization also help manage anxiety and reduce stress. Meditation can be easy and enjoyable. It does not require years of study and practice to reap substantial benefits. You do not have to subscribe to spiritual beliefs or particular systems.
Here are some ways to manage anxiety and stress with positive and cognitive psychology.
- Look clearly and objectively at the stresses in your life. The boogeyman is always bigger and more frightening in the dark.
- Make a list and factual description of the problem as it is now. Don’t dip into the past (It was always like this or it was like this when X horrible thing happened it the past, etc.) Don’t assume a bad future. (Because it’s like this now, then this catastrophe will happen or this good thing will never happen, etc.)
- Containerize your stress and problems. Put the list or description you made in a mental box or an actual box and place it in a little used place, mentally or literally. Take it out if you wish when you are working on solving your problems and remember to put it back in the box when you are done. Then, leave it in the box. It will always be there for you when you want it, but you can live the other parts of your life more effectively.
It is more than ok- it is necessary- to live the parts of your life that are not the problem. When we fail to do this, we infect the parts of our lives that give us joy, peace, satisfaction and support with the stress and anxiety.
This containerization of stress may not seem simple to you right now, but it gets easier with practice. And you feel a whole lot better. And you know what? You may just find you see new solutions or options to your problems.
Allow for the possibility of solutions coming to you in steps or in unusual ways.
Sometimes our contacts and network can offer some interesting alternatives. Your network can expand, too. A friend of a friend of an acquaintance may come into your circle bearing new possibilities. So, think how you can meet new people in a positive environment, online or in person. Conferences, retreats, workshops and classes can be good way, too.
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May your life open to new possibilities as your enjoyment and natural health increase,
Val Lovejoy
Natural Health Consultant
www.ThriveNaturalHealth.com
