redleader,Good Morning, this is Kitt. First of all you are not going crazy even thow your mind is trying to trick you, remember you can break the cycle of anxiety.
At the heart of all of our anxiety is fear, coming from thoughts, feelings and storage of our life experiences. “There is a fear that no matter how hard you may work to achieve these things, you will somehow fail.”
When you feel your brain going to that place, tell it to stop. Visualize something like a stop sign, a “do not enter” sign, an “off” button or a door closing.
Redirect and engage your brain elsewhere. Choose something that will not allow your brain to wander. For example, balance your checkbook, read a book out loud, or listen to music and sing along – anything that will engage your brain in something else altogether.
A few ideas:
Learn your triggers. Carefully note what sets off your anxiety and limit your exposure to it.
“Reset” your mind with positive affirmations.
Keep motivational or spiritual literature close by, or repeat a phrase such as “Be at peace” to help resist the pattern.
Cut yourself a break.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling anxious. A certain amount of stress is unavoidable. I am my own worse enemy as I too have a hard time just shutting down the worries and than I feel bad about myself. We are good people having a hard time so try not to beat yourself up.
If you’ve got to worry, set limits.
Focus on lowering the intensity and length of worrying, rather than eradicating it completely. For example, give yourself permission to worry “for just five minutes.”
And finally, The Rule of Five
If worry has got you consumed, ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that can happen?” Then, write it down. Sometimes, just the process of writing it down will help you see how irrational it might be. If you don’t feel as though the fear is unreasonable, continue by asking yourself:
1. Is this still going to bother me in five minutes?
2. Is this still going to bother me in five hours?
3. Is this still going to bother me in five days?
4. Is this still going to bother me in five weeks?
5. Is this still going to bother me in five years?
When you realize how short-lived your anxiety might be, perhaps you will be able to put it into perspective.
Keeping you in my thoughts and may your anxiety decrease and you find peace today and everyday.
Gentle Hugs,
Kitt