Stop the Runaway Anxiety Train.
Author: Bill Albrets

We all have our concerns, our fears, our anxieties. It is part of our natural make-up. Indeed, some people feel a little “edge” helps them perform a little better. I know that if I have a difficult program coming up, I will spend extra time preparing so my performance will be better.

Yet our anxieties and fears can cause trouble for us. We can be trapped by worries and concerns. Sometimes anxiety feels like a runaway train speeding through our head. Going over and over a problem is seldom fruitful; it only makes a small problem look large. Our tendency is to dwell on far too much on our problems; this is what leads to our anxieties getting out of control

How do you know if you have too much anxiety? Simple. If you find that you are not enjoying your life because of anxiety, you have too much anxiety.

So what can we do about too much anxiety?

The best thing we can do is to move on, and think and act on more positive things.

This sounds so easy, but how can you stop the negative thoughts and move on to positive thoughts?

First of all, realize that you have chosen to think about the negative things, the things that make you anxious. It may not seem like it, because you have been choosing the negative thoughts for so long that it has become a habit. And you can only break this habit by conscious action.
Try not to spend too much time analyzing “why am I so anxious” – too often it leads to “paralysis by analysis”
Instead, I suggest that you take action right away. There are two major actions to take.

The first action is to make the decision to stop the negative thoughts whenever they start. One of the best ways to do this is through distraction – and you already know how to do this. If you are feeling anxious, you may go to an exciting or very funny film to forget about your anxiety.

You can always create a distraction. If you are feeling anxious, get busy. Clean out a closet. Paint a room. Exercise. Play a game. Do your taxes. Write a letter to your mother.

The second major action is to tackle the source of anxiety head on. If you are anxious about something that might happen, or of an unknown, confront it now. If you are worried about layoffs at work, ask your boss. If you are anxious about the going to the dentist, see if you can go in today. If you are anxious about test results, ask for the results as soon as they are available. Delaying only makes it worse.

Remember, thoughts grow with attention. If you constantly focus on your anxiety, it will only get worse. A physical action will help you redirect your focus – say out loud “I will think about a task, not about my problem”. (One of my mentors told me that everyone has a “clear” button on their temple – just push twice on your temple and say “clear” and you will stop the runaway train of anxiety.)

Finally, live in the moment – that is where the action, fun and happiness lie. And it is the only time that really matters.

You have far more power over your thoughts than you think you do – couple your thinking skills with some physical action and you’ll be all set.

©2003 The Athena Group, Inc.







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Author and lecturer Bill Albrets is President of The Athena Group, Inc., dedicated to using practical methods making your life better every day. Visit his website at www.AthenaGroupInc.com and sign up for a free semi-monthly newsletter at http://www.AthenaGroupInc.com/Newlettersignup.htm

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