Causes and cures for anxiety
“Some of the worst things in my life never happened.” –Mark Twain
There are causes and cures for anxiety. But if we can accept it for what it is, we will be much better off. Anxiety is just our bodies way of telling us that something is out of balance. Our bodies are amazing barometers that give us information. When we feel the pangs of anxiety, the first thing we should do is look within to find the imbalance.
Fear of the unknown
Often, anxiety is fear of the unknown. There may be a situation looming in which we don’t know the outcome. Our expectations of something or someone might not be going as desired. We may feel we are losing control over some aspect of our lives. Or we might have a general unease about how our lives will unfold. There are many practical tools that can help cure anxiety: slow breathing, gazing into our own eyes in the mirror and reminding ourselves that the anxiety is trying to tell us something and that it will pass, saying positive affirmations, immersing ourselves in an enjoyable activity, exercising, or being in nature.
Fear of the known
Fear of the known can stem from fear of the unknown. For example, we may have a fear of tests, which is a “known.” But ultimately, we fear the outcome of the test, which is unknown. We may have a fear of elevators, which is known. But our fear is due to not knowing what will happen in the elevator. We can use our imaginations to visualize a safe trip in the elevator or a victorious score on the test. We can help cure our anxiety by using the power of our own minds. When we think we have no control, we actually do have some control in that we can imagine a favorable outcome. Doing this increases the likelihood that it will be positive. The fact that elevators do break down occasionally or we may not always do well on tests is OK. We can stay calm with the thought that help is on the way or we will do better next time.
Positive thinking is vital when trying to cure anxiety. The story of an Indian yogi who was afflicted with a disease causing his body to become emaciated illustrates this. When pity was expressed about his condition, he happily replied, “It has its good points. I’m now able to get into small undershirts I haven’t worn in years!” It is said he ultimately cured himself. How we respond to our distress is a big factor in how it affects us.
Biochemical causes and a personal story
Anxiety runs through my gene pool. But various life events and the practice of wellness activities can dictate the expression of that propensity. In my mid-20s, I began to feel extreme episodes of anxiety, or “panic attacks.” I didn’t understand what they were. I found a therapist in hopes of finding a cure for the debilitating anxiety. Through therapy, I came to realize that I had been “giving up” portions of myself to please my boyfriend, who didn’t want the same level of commitment as I wanted. When he had told me he didn’t want to marry me, I decided to become the person he would want to marry. I tried not to make waves and just go along with everything he wanted in order to please him. I was being overly accommodating and didn’t realize I was slowly giving up what I wanted and who I was. That’s when the panic attacks had started. Through therapy, I became aware of this process. I decided to start honoring my needs and what I wanted out of life. That’s when the anxiety subsided. Kyle Cease, the transformational comedian, reminds us, “Sometimes we are so focused on what we’re losing that we aren’t looking at what we’re gaining.”
Our bodies are fascinating. They tell us what feels right and what doesn’t. It is up to us to listen to them. We get messages about the life we’re choosing, the activities we’re doing, the thoughts we’re thinking, the foods we eat, and the movement (or lack of) we’re doing with our bodies. There is a high-tech super highway between our brains and our guts. Our guts have been dubbed our “second brains” because they carry millions of neurotransmitters that send messages to our brains. Not only does what we think affect our guts and bodies but what we put into our guts (the food and drink we ingest) affects our moods and how we think. Chemicals and processed foods can also cause reactions in our bodies and brains, resulting in anxiety.
Tune in to your body. Ask what it needs from you. Commit to providing it. Take concrete steps towards your future. Imagine the details of the life you want. What makes you happy? Feel the wonder of that. Now use your free will to make daily choices that will take you to that happy place.
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