Anxiety doesn’t just happen…

Recently, I found myself in this situation, stressed and overwhelmed with too much going on, mentally overloaded, and finding myself overthinking. which appeared to transform this once-happy, easygoing person I was into someone who was stressed, angry, and overthinking everything.

I recently learned something about ancient wisdom from the Stoics, about allowing your emotions to flow like water. To cross each challenge and work with it as it comes. It becomes easier to do this when your mind is clear, but it can feel overwhelming when you have too much rolling around in your head.

Picture this: you’re playing a video game where the object of the game is to collect certain items. As the levels get harder, catching those items becomes more difficult. It’s much like our thinking. The same is true for our focus, concentration, or ability to handle challenges when we have lost our sense of peace, or are overstimulated, lack sleep, etc. Over time, it becomes more difficult to navigate the thinking. To handle life challenges with peace and common sense. This is usually associated with background stress, stress that we slowly ignore but can build up over time. Like a fight with a spouse or coworker, an important event coming up that we feel unprepared for, an overdue bill with uncertainty as to how it will get paid, etc. At times like these, we often stuff our feelings down in an attempt to regain control, or to be amiable with others, and attempt to replace negative emotions with substances or distractions like food, alcohol, etc.  Over time, it can start to affect your overall mood. Headaches can appear, sleep can get disrupted, and tasks that once felt easier to “manage” may become tougher. Sometimes leading to shallow breathing, anxiety, or dis-ease in the body or other health issues.

I find that at times of overwhelm, it helps to really trust your instincts and follow your heart. Cancel plans if needed. Be true to yourself. Be boring for a time. Spend a weekend just lying in bed, resting, and as feelings come up, sorting through them one at a time. Making time to rest, giving yourself the peace and calm you need while feeding it nourishing foods and exercise, fresh air… etc.

The more you take care of yourself, the better you will feel, and the easier it will be to hear your wisdom and use good judgment again. Through patience and consistent effort, we slowly regain the ability to take life as it comes, and soon you will begin to steer your life in a more fulfilling and joyful direction—nourishing and sustaining—instead of chaotic, stressful, and filled with disharmony and misfortunes. No matter how far gone it seems, you can always regain control and begin to have life flow in the right direction again.

Until next time…