5 Powerful Anti-Anxiety Questions for Overcoming Overwhelming Feelingsa; The answer lies within you!

We all experience anxiety from time to time. It’s a normal human emotion, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming and all-consuming. If you’re feeling anxious right now, take a deep breath and know you’re not alone.

Today, I want to share a powerful tool that can help you navigate those anxious moments: asking yourself the right questions. Our brains can get stuck in a loop of negative thoughts, but by reframing our thinking, we can gain a sense of control and reduce anxiety.

Here are 5 anti-anxiety questions to ask yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed:

1. What is the worst that could happen?

This might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes facing our worst fears (even if unlikely) can actually reduce their power. Once we acknowledge the worst-case scenario, we can often see that it’s not as bad as we initially thought. More importantly, we can start to brainstorm solutions for even those unlikely situations.

2. What is most likely to happen?

Shift your focus from the worst-case scenario to the most probable outcome. Often, our anxieties are fueled by exaggerated fears. Taking a step back and considering what’s most likely to happen can significantly reduce anxiety.

3. Is this situation within my control?

A lot of anxiety stems from feeling powerless. This question helps you identify what aspects of the situation you can control and what you need to accept. Focus your energy on the things you can influence, and let go of the rest. I often find myself staying awake at night worrying about something. When this happens I tell myself, “There is nothing you can do about his now. Just sleep, that is your only job right now. Just sleeping!”

4. What is one small step I can take right now?

Feeling overwhelmed by a big problem can be paralyzing. Break it down into manageable steps. Ask yourself what one small action you can take right now to move forward. This will help you feel more proactive and less anxious. Even if that small step is writing a list of all the steps involved. Most likely writing down the steps will help you se that the problem isn’t as big a you thought. Or at least each of the steps aren’t big. Whittle the problem down into manageable parts.

5. What would I tell a friend in this situation?

Sometimes, we can be much harsher on ourselves than we would ever be on a friend. Imagine a friend is feeling anxious about the same thing. What advice would you give them? Apply that same compassion and understanding to yourself. You would never tell a friend that they are stupid or crazy, but that’s how we speak to ourselves about ourselves. Put your hand on your heart, give yourself a virtual hug and tell yourself that you are fine and will come out of this situation with flying colors.

Remember, these are just starting points. The key is to find questions that resonate with you and help you reframe your thinking in a more positive and empowering way.

Bonus Tips:

Sending you strength and peace of mind!