How getting stuck in the content keeps you anxious.

I hear it all the time, “but that thing makes me anxious,” or, “they can’t go there because that particular place triggers anxiety.” When you get stuck in the details of what’s making you anxious you miss the big picture and keep swirling in anxiety.

How approaching anxiety head on can be a game changer. Anxiety is rooted in avoidance. When anxiety get's the message of danger it’s initial reaction is to get out of that situation, and get out fast. Typically you may be then met with some level of relief. Phew, you escaped that danger, you won the battle. However, when you avoid your worry you do the opposite of winning.

Avoidance gives anxiety strength and power. It allows fear to gain momentum. Avoidance reinforces the message in your brain that whatever made you anxious was worth being anxious about. After that momentary relief dwindles away the worry always returns, and it returns stronger. Over time, repeated avoidance can lead to increased anxiety and immense difficulty in facing even the mildest of stressors.

So what can you do? How can you change this course? The answer is in feeling that anxiety and moving towards what makes you anxious anyway.