Here is a drawing of the body with information about how different parts of it may experience anxiety. The caveat is, of course, that some symptoms may indicate a medical condition and so we must not ignore symptoms (“Oh, this is just me being anxious!”) without consulting a physician. On the other hand, once we have consulted a physician and been told, “You are fine!”, it can be immensely comforting to use the phrase, “this is just me being anxious.” After all, these are common symptoms. Although the misery of anxiety feels isolating, we are sharing a common experience with so many other people. Behind a composed façade, you never know who around you is suffering in the same way.
Why not print out this drawing? You can circle the words that apply to your experience of anxiety, and color in the corresponding places. Tangibly interacting with this drawing helps develop a sense of ‘ownership’ of your experience, as opposed to denial and flight. Truth is both comforting and a good starting point in the journey toward soothing anxiety. “I have anxiety, and this is where I feel it in my body and how I experience it in my head.” No big deal: just a statement of fact.
We get really squirrely when anxiety combines with being afraid of anxiety. That boosts the cortisol cascade (ewww!) in the body, creating a double wallop. Plus, we can’t really run away from Self, right? Well, we can….alcohol, drugs, food, self injury… but none of that addresses anxiety in a sustainable way. Accept and forgive yourself for having a naturally vulnerable ecosystem, and get to work developing emotional muscle via practicing with visualizations, activities and body cues.
Why not print out this drawing? You can circle the words that apply to your experience of anxiety, and color in the corresponding places. Tangibly interacting with this drawing helps develop a sense of ‘ownership’ of your experience, as opposed to denial and flight. Truth is both comforting and a good starting point in the journey toward soothing anxiety. “I have anxiety, and this is where I feel it in my body and how I experience it in my head.” No big deal: just a statement of fact.
We get really squirrely when anxiety combines with being afraid of anxiety. That boosts the cortisol cascade (ewww!) in the body, creating a double wallop. Plus, we can’t really run away from Self, right? Well, we can….alcohol, drugs, food, self injury… but none of that addresses anxiety in a sustainable way. Accept and forgive yourself for having a naturally vulnerable ecosystem, and get to work developing emotional muscle via practicing with visualizations, activities and body cues.
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