One of my go-to anxiety things is asking myself, "What's the worst that can happen?" and then logically talking through the answer. Helps me realize the *feeling* is so much worse than the actual thing at hand. I WILL survive a mommy play date because truthfully the worst case situation is... maybe someone thinking I'm a little weird? And I'll keep on living!
Ahh thank you! And okay, I've been aware of this coping skill, but never think to actually use it! Thank you for this reminder! What IS the worst that can happen!?
oh dear, all the hugs for you! i must play and move when I feel this way! My go-tos are barefoot on the grass, running around w a friend, coffee chats (whether online or offline) with people doing cool work (it reminds me of all the fun wonderful things happening ) and people can be really positive energy :)
Thank you for sharing what works for you - beautiful. Grounding in my body helps me too! I MUST move my body when I'm anxious - taking walks really helps me, yoga, 20 minute video exercise classes, dancing around the house., screaming into a pillow, polyvagal exercises. When I'm ruminating in my head, I'm detached from the whole story - the mind is where anxiety mainly originates from (our anxious thoughts - which then start to activate our nervous system) - and those thoughts, while they may feel really real, are rarely the truth.
Yes, yes, yes to all of this! Moving my body is really important for me too. And I appreciate the reminder that anxious thoughts are rarely the truth — a fact I am constantly relearning. :)
It's why meditation is referred to as a "practice". It takes a fair amount of time, it's different for everyone of course, but it takes time to learn to observe thoughts and rewrite the beliefs, thoughts and patterns in the brain. But, little by slow, over some years, I have seen now how I can witness unproductive thoughts and the emotions attached and know they are not true. Creating space from thoughts and unhelpful emotions is absolutely possible!
I love the little drawings you included here!!
One of my go-to anxiety things is asking myself, "What's the worst that can happen?" and then logically talking through the answer. Helps me realize the *feeling* is so much worse than the actual thing at hand. I WILL survive a mommy play date because truthfully the worst case situation is... maybe someone thinking I'm a little weird? And I'll keep on living!
Ahh thank you! And okay, I've been aware of this coping skill, but never think to actually use it! Thank you for this reminder! What IS the worst that can happen!?
oh dear, all the hugs for you! i must play and move when I feel this way! My go-tos are barefoot on the grass, running around w a friend, coffee chats (whether online or offline) with people doing cool work (it reminds me of all the fun wonderful things happening ) and people can be really positive energy :)
Ooo, I love this list. Thank you for sharing, Ro! I'm definitely trying to be more intentional about working play and movement into my day. :)
Thank you for sharing what works for you - beautiful. Grounding in my body helps me too! I MUST move my body when I'm anxious - taking walks really helps me, yoga, 20 minute video exercise classes, dancing around the house., screaming into a pillow, polyvagal exercises. When I'm ruminating in my head, I'm detached from the whole story - the mind is where anxiety mainly originates from (our anxious thoughts - which then start to activate our nervous system) - and those thoughts, while they may feel really real, are rarely the truth.
Yes, yes, yes to all of this! Moving my body is really important for me too. And I appreciate the reminder that anxious thoughts are rarely the truth — a fact I am constantly relearning. :)
It's why meditation is referred to as a "practice". It takes a fair amount of time, it's different for everyone of course, but it takes time to learn to observe thoughts and rewrite the beliefs, thoughts and patterns in the brain. But, little by slow, over some years, I have seen now how I can witness unproductive thoughts and the emotions attached and know they are not true. Creating space from thoughts and unhelpful emotions is absolutely possible!