Anxiety is a natural part of being human. Like a little red flag or warning sign, anxiety serves a purpose. It helps us stay alert of our immediate surroundings so we can react quickly in emergencies. This fight-or-flight mechanism is programmed in us by nature. It’s our way of telling ourselves that something might be wrong so we can assess a situation. But sometimes, it can get the best of us.
You are in control of your thoughts.
Pause. And Breathe.
It takes only 30 seconds to calm down. Practice mindful breathing to bring your attention to the present moment. It’s called the “mindful pause” and you can practice this breathing technique anywhere. By focusing on your breathing, you can snap out of a spiraling cycle of thoughts.
Mindfulness can be practiced anytime. You don’t have to feel anxiety or stress to receive the benefits of practicing mindfulness. Daily meditation, breathing exercises, and gratitude reminders are all healthy habits to incorporate in your wellness journey.
You are in control.
You are what you think. The average person has about 3,000 thoughts per hour. That’s a lot of thoughts going through your head in a day. It can get overwhelming. Self-sabotaging thoughts that are not self-loving and based on fear and anxiety will only hinder you. Negative thoughts drain your energy and consume you. If you can switch gears and take control of your thoughts, you are in control of your life. Focus on healthy, productive, and positive thoughts.
Shift your perspective.
Anxiety is not random although it may feel like it. Sometimes, we mistakenly perceive an emotion or incident as a red flag and that perspective can trigger an anxiety attack. But if you take a moment to assess the situation and remind yourself that you are in control, suddenly you shift from feeling powerless to making powerful decisions.
Remember, you are always in control of your thoughts. Somewhere inside your subconscious mind, there are thoughts that can trigger anxiety. But once you recognize your thoughts, you can identify a positive mindset versus negative mindset. Positive thoughts are productive and solution-oriented. Negative thoughts are hindering and trap you in a cycle of anxiety.
Focus on positive thoughts.
Stay in control of your life by taking ownership of your mentality. Nurture a positive mindset. Avoid negative thoughts that weigh you down. When you feel overwhelmed, change your thoughts so you can transform your situation. Positive thinking boosts self-confidence and helps you think clearly so you can focus on solutions. Keeping a positive attitude not only helps you manage stress and deal with anxiety, a positive attitude also impacts your relationship with yourself and your relationships with the people and world around you.
Be intentional with your thoughts. Your mindset is a vehicle to help you get closer to your goals. The power of positive thinking attracts success and happiness by allowing us to see our end goals. It paves a roadmap to better mental health and wellness. Positive thinking inspires us to take ownership of our actions which ultimately determine the course and likeliness of a desired outcome.
Transform your mindset.
Anxiety and stress are no strangers to each other. In fact, stress is the number one source of all illnesses. This includes mental stress, emotional stress, and physical stress. Anxiety teaches us how to cope with stress which is a normal part of life. Once you learn to transform your mindset, you will be able to approach life with full control.
