If the anxiety and stress is caused due to a particular problem, i will recommend the 1st apprach, the cognitive correction of thoughts with experiential analysis. This one gets tough and is nothing short of cathrasis. This is analogous to dealing with a bully who has been constantly tormenting you.
In this technique, you can write down your negative thoughts on a piece of paper and below that write a better more rational belief.
now analysis it, go through it again and again. Everyday before sleeping, devote half hour to your notes. It is like you are feeding yourself to be strong and not feeding the bully ( your negative thoughts which cause anxiety ).
slowly, bully gets weak and you will see a change in your automatic responses. The daily process of going through your notebook is very important. It is like revising your science textbook again and again so that you can perform better during exam.
This process is time taking, you patience may be tested here. You will fall again and again.
But if you do not give up and hang on to this process. In the end you will win.
Second technique has been derived from the meditation process being practiced in the east for ages now.
In this method ( well, i do not know why am i calling this a method , it is such an understatement ) , we do not try to change the thoughts. Rather we learn to live with them. Accepting and embracing them.
We do not like being anxious and stressed. We resist it. Actually, by resisting, we are increasing the anxiety. Our thought process is further fueling the fire in our mind and body.
Fire here refers to the emotional outburst that we feel in our body when we are anxious. It is the body's response to protect us from the fear that we have percieved.
Isnt it funny? Our mind is telling that there is fear when there isn't any and our body is resisting it. And then we fall into vicious circle of mind body contemplating each other anf increasing the trouble.
so here is alternative. On a conscious level, embrace the negative emotion inside body. Make space for it.
Sounds easy on paper but takes time and comes with practice.
easiest way is to smile at the emotion. And let it take over the body.
You can even thank your mind for producing a negative emotion inside you. just observe like you are watching a movie.
When you distance yourself from the emotion, you will slowly realize that it looses power over you. Mind will not further fuel it. You have stopped the gasoline supply to Burning Engine. It will slowly stop and you will be at peace.
i always recommend this techniaue to folks who do not have any specific problem but are facing stress related issues in day to day lives.
meditate daily for 10 minutes. During that time, focus on your breathing. Mind will wander. Whenever you realize that mind has wandered, Thank the mind for going somewhere else and gently bring it back to your breathing. Do it for 10 minute daily. Sit on a chair and keep your spine straight. Meditation will help you observe your thoughts during your day.
All the best.
Answered2021-03-05 04:25:30
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