7 Habits That STOP Anxiety…
BEFORE WE JUMP IN…
You should probably know that I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety disorder in high school. I struggled for over two years. I decided not to take medication because I realized the root cause of my anxiety was my mind.
These habits helped me take control over my anxiety and my life.
HABIT #1 — REFRAMING
Reframing is one of the most important skills for overcoming anxiety. Try to reframe every negative into a positive.
You didn’t fail, you learned.
You’re not overwhelmed, you’re just growing and need to take one step at a time.
When I’m afraid, I often say I’m excited since fear and excitement are the same physiological reaction in the brain. When I say “I’m excited” my mind starts looking for the things that excite me about the current situation.
Find the positives in every situation.
HABIT #2 — PRAYER
When I’m feeling anxious, one of the first things I like to do is pray.
I ask God for strength. I let God know all my worries and concerns. I try to be brutally honest. I tell God what I desire and I thank Him for everything I can think of.
This helps me put my focus back on the good God has done in my life.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
HABIT #3 — STORY SWAPPING
When anxious, my mind likes to jump to the worst case scenario. This is me jumping to a fictional story of the future that I made up and that doesn’t exist.
We can’t predict the future. Since this is a disempowering story that’s leading to anxiety, why not imagine an empowering story instead?
Imagine all the good that can come out of the situation. Imagine yourself getting out of it on the other side okay and even stronger.
HABIT #4 — PRESENCE
The past is gone and the future is not here, the only moment that exists is the one right now.
While flying on a plane a while back, I imagined the wing catching on fire and all of us falling out of the sky. This made me feel anxious. In reality, we were flying fine. There was nothing actually wrong.
I had to bring my mind back to the reality of the present moment. I do this by reminding myself, “I’m not being present.” It starts with awareness. Then I clear my mind and focus on my breathe. I also like to focus on what’s actually happening around me to get out of my head.
HABIT #5 — GRATITIUDE
Gratitude is one of the greatest weapons against negative emotions of any kind.
Fear is overpowered while in a state of gratitude.
Start listing all the things you are truly grateful for. The people in your life, the situations, the resources, the memories, etc. imagine each one.
How does each one make you feel? Loved? Grateful? Excited? Sit in the feeling and thank God.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
HABIT #6 — PROXIMITY
When you get around fearless people, you see what’s possible and you get a little more fearless yourself.
Get around people who are on fire for God and are getting out of their comfort zone consistently. People who are chasing goals. People who have achieved what you want to achieve.
Watch how they think, how they interact with the world, and how they view fear. Model their beliefs, actions, and thought patterns when it makes sense and when it aligns with your values.
HABIT #7 — ANXIETY STACKING
One of the biggest things that helped me conquer anxiety is trying to take one small step outside of my comfort zone every single day.
It didn’t have to be big. It could be as simple as putting my feet in the ocean when I’m afraid of sharks or saying hi to someone I’ve never met before when I felt social anxiety. This will get you into the habit of leaning into fear instead of running from it.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
BONUS — ADOPT A NEW IDENTITY
I was told by a doctor that I had Chronic Anxiety Disorder.
I could have held that like a banner over my head as an excuse not to try to overcome anxiety… which I did sometimes.
But that is not who God says I am. I am free in Christ and I have to remind myself of that freedom constantly.
Here are just a few of the things God says that you are:
