Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but it can become a problem when it starts to interfere with our daily lives.
One of the ways that anxiety can be harmful is by telling us lies. These lies can make us feel afraid, stressed, and hopeless. Psychology Today identified these 5 lies below.
Here are 5 lies anxiety tells us, and what we can do to challenge them:
1. “You won’t make it without me.” This lie is anxiety’s way of trying to keep us safe. It tells us that we need it to motivate us and to protect us from danger. But the truth is, we can make it on our own. We have the strength and resilience to overcome our challenges.
What to do: Tap into other sources of motivation, such as your values, your goals, and your loved ones. Cultivate self-compassion, which means being kind and understanding to yourself, even when you make mistakes.
2. “Bad things will happen in the future. If you don’t start grieving now, you won’t be ready.” This lie is anxiety’s way of trying to control us. It tells us that we need to worry about everything that could go wrong, so that we’ll be prepared. But the truth is, we can’t control the future. And worrying about things that haven’t happened yet will only make us more anxious.
What to do: Acknowledge your fears, but don’t let them control you. Focus on the present moment and what you can control. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help you calm down.
3. “I am responsible for your success.”This lie is anxiety’s way of trying to make us feel like we have to be perfect. It tells us that we need to be in control of everything, and that if we make a mistake, it will be a disaster. But the truth is, we can’t control everything. And making mistakes is a part of life.
What to do: Reconnect with your values and what’s important to you. Remember that your worth is not determined by your success or failure. Be kind to yourself and give yourself the space to make mistakes.
4. “If you let me go, all the bad things I warn you about will happen.” This lie is anxiety’s way of trying to keep us from letting go of control. It tells us that if we let go of our worries, then bad things will happen. But the truth is, the only way to overcome our anxiety is to face it head-on.
What to do: Accept uncertainty. Remember that bad things can happen, but they don’t always happen. Plan for what you will do if your fear happens, but don’t let your fear control your life.
5. “You have to spend all of your time with me.” This lie is anxiety’s way of trying to keep us from enjoying our lives. It tells us that we can’t relax or have fun, because we need to be constantly worrying. But the truth is, we need to take breaks from our worries in order to recharge and cope with our anxiety.
What to do: Schedule a limited worry time. Set aside a specific time each day to worry about your problems. Once that time is up, let go of your worries and focus on other things.
Challenging the lies that anxiety tells us can be difficult, but it is possible. By following these tips, we can start to take back control of our lives and live without fear.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are struggling with anxiety, please reach out to a mental health professional for help.
Thank you for reading this article.
If you like what you read please consider following me on Medium, subscribing hereand/or connecting on LinkedIn. Really like my content? Consider buying me a coffee!
I’d love to hear your thoughts!