If you find your mind occupied with anxiety provoking thoughts, firmly snap “Drop It!” Enjoy the feeling of release as your mind lets go. You might purposefully clinch your fists as you express an anxious thought (“I’m not good enough!”) and then fling open your hands, as if you are casting something away, as you say, “Drop it!” Usually anxiety-addled thoughts are accompanied by miserable out-of-control feelings. Provide yourself with a contrasting sensation of control by curtly demanding, “Drop it!”
Old thought patterns wither when they are neglected—when you no longer dwell upon them. Remember the tale: there are two wolves; one is love and one is hate. The one you feed is the one that grows stronger. Refuse to feed your negative narrative: Drop It! Fresh space is then created for problem solving, gathering resources and attending to what you (and others) appreciate about you. Surely there are things about YOU, and your life, for which you are grateful. What are they? “Drop It!” followed by a Gratitude List, written on a scrap of paper or spoken out loud to yourself or a friend, nourishes access to the parasympathetic system and switches you out of anxiety.
Just remember that in times of stress, disappointment and weariness, we tend to backslide. Emotional freight is just as exhausting as lifting weights, without the potential endorphin high. O, if only we received an endorphin high from anxiety! But we don’t; instead we get jangly cortisol spikes and edgy adrenaline buzzes. However: backsliding is ok. It’s not fun, it’s not great, it can be frightening, but it is also natural. It happens to us all and foretells nothing except that you are, indeed, human. Get some sleep and then continue to build emotional muscularity by using your anxiety-soothing repertoire. All blessings to you!
Old thought patterns wither when they are neglected—when you no longer dwell upon them. Remember the tale: there are two wolves; one is love and one is hate. The one you feed is the one that grows stronger. Refuse to feed your negative narrative: Drop It! Fresh space is then created for problem solving, gathering resources and attending to what you (and others) appreciate about you. Surely there are things about YOU, and your life, for which you are grateful. What are they? “Drop It!” followed by a Gratitude List, written on a scrap of paper or spoken out loud to yourself or a friend, nourishes access to the parasympathetic system and switches you out of anxiety.
Just remember that in times of stress, disappointment and weariness, we tend to backslide. Emotional freight is just as exhausting as lifting weights, without the potential endorphin high. O, if only we received an endorphin high from anxiety! But we don’t; instead we get jangly cortisol spikes and edgy adrenaline buzzes. However: backsliding is ok. It’s not fun, it’s not great, it can be frightening, but it is also natural. It happens to us all and foretells nothing except that you are, indeed, human. Get some sleep and then continue to build emotional muscularity by using your anxiety-soothing repertoire. All blessings to you!
