SLA
16-10-16, 09:27
Hi there, my name is Jason.
Health Anxiety is the big one that keeps rearing its ugly head for me. I think this is because there are so many different conditions, and the brain likes to make sure it's not under threat.
I've struggled with anxiety since I was young, and still do to this day. I've still not gotten around to posting my full story yet, but I will do that soon!
Today I just wanted to share with you an idea I read in a book, which has really helped me manage my anxiety for around 10 years. And that is...
"You Are Not Your Thoughts"
The brain has distinct layers of thought. There is the conscious brain...
That is the part of you that thinks: "Why am I having these thoughts, I don't want to be anxious, I just want to be normal!"
And there is the subconsious that thinks: "Oh god now I have xxxxx, let's check for symptoms..... etc etc"
The subconsious thoughts that pop into our heads our not ours. They are manifestations of our stressed and poorly conditioned brains.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REACT TO THEM!
How many times has a stressing thought popped into your head, and caused you to panic?
For me... loads. I've had panics over heart attacks, concerns over hurting other people... THE WORKS.
But now I realise that not all of the thoughts that pop into my head serve me in a positive way. In fact, lots of them are not helpful at all?
When you take a step back and monitor the thoughts that come into your head, you can start to label them.
"There he goes... my anxious old brain trying to mess things up."
But I don't react to it anymore. And if I do panic slightly, I always talk myself back around.
"You're not falling for this... we have this under control... give it 5 minutes, and we'll be back on track."
So my advice to you is...
Take a step back. Watch the thoughts that manifest themselves in your brain. The ones that you do not consiously choose to have, and ask yourself? "Are these the source of my anxiety?"
If they are, then you can start to manage those thoughts. Change won't happen instantly, but if you can observe these thoughts, and start to filter them out, you can choose not to react to them. And in fact, replace them with thoughts that are goign to help you live a happy and calm life.
I recorded a video of me talking about this subject, and I describe it a bit better than I have done here. It's only around 4 minutes long, so give it a watch, and see if you can relate!
>> The Most Important Thing I Have Learnt About Anxiety (http://bit.ly/2dfFqvb)
No More Panic helped me a lot in 2008, and it was a huge factor in making me realise that I wasn't alone. It single-handledly helped me realise that "Intrusive Thoughts" were a common and normal thing. That gave me so much relief!! I'm hoping to share more of my experiences with anxiety, and managing depression.
And for those people that send me messages asking if I am "cured" I always say no. Because anxiety is an emotion, just like happiness, anger, or love... and its important that we can experience all of lifes emotions.
...but none of them should control our lives!!
Thanks for letting me share this with you! Hope you are well today!
Jason
Health Anxiety is the big one that keeps rearing its ugly head for me. I think this is because there are so many different conditions, and the brain likes to make sure it's not under threat.
I've struggled with anxiety since I was young, and still do to this day. I've still not gotten around to posting my full story yet, but I will do that soon!
Today I just wanted to share with you an idea I read in a book, which has really helped me manage my anxiety for around 10 years. And that is...
"You Are Not Your Thoughts"
The brain has distinct layers of thought. There is the conscious brain...
That is the part of you that thinks: "Why am I having these thoughts, I don't want to be anxious, I just want to be normal!"
And there is the subconsious that thinks: "Oh god now I have xxxxx, let's check for symptoms..... etc etc"
The subconsious thoughts that pop into our heads our not ours. They are manifestations of our stressed and poorly conditioned brains.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REACT TO THEM!
How many times has a stressing thought popped into your head, and caused you to panic?
For me... loads. I've had panics over heart attacks, concerns over hurting other people... THE WORKS.
But now I realise that not all of the thoughts that pop into my head serve me in a positive way. In fact, lots of them are not helpful at all?
When you take a step back and monitor the thoughts that come into your head, you can start to label them.
"There he goes... my anxious old brain trying to mess things up."
But I don't react to it anymore. And if I do panic slightly, I always talk myself back around.
"You're not falling for this... we have this under control... give it 5 minutes, and we'll be back on track."
So my advice to you is...
Take a step back. Watch the thoughts that manifest themselves in your brain. The ones that you do not consiously choose to have, and ask yourself? "Are these the source of my anxiety?"
If they are, then you can start to manage those thoughts. Change won't happen instantly, but if you can observe these thoughts, and start to filter them out, you can choose not to react to them. And in fact, replace them with thoughts that are goign to help you live a happy and calm life.
I recorded a video of me talking about this subject, and I describe it a bit better than I have done here. It's only around 4 minutes long, so give it a watch, and see if you can relate!
>> The Most Important Thing I Have Learnt About Anxiety (http://bit.ly/2dfFqvb)
No More Panic helped me a lot in 2008, and it was a huge factor in making me realise that I wasn't alone. It single-handledly helped me realise that "Intrusive Thoughts" were a common and normal thing. That gave me so much relief!! I'm hoping to share more of my experiences with anxiety, and managing depression.
And for those people that send me messages asking if I am "cured" I always say no. Because anxiety is an emotion, just like happiness, anger, or love... and its important that we can experience all of lifes emotions.
...but none of them should control our lives!!
Thanks for letting me share this with you! Hope you are well today!
Jason