Don't fight anxiety, you will lose!

It’s natural to want to push anxiety away. After all, it feels uncomfortable, and the spiral of worry and panic that often follows is exhausting. 

But here’s the catch: when we get stuck in those anxious thoughts, we’re actually feeding the part of our brain that believes there’s something to be afraid of. 

And guess what? 

This makes anxiety even stronger.

🌿 Acknowledge and Accept Your Anxiety

 Start by recognizing that anxiety is there, without trying to push it away. Just noticing it and accepting it can actually ease some of the stress that comes with it. By acknowledging its presence, you're telling yourself it's okay to feel this way, and that it's a normal part of being human. Instead of resisting or trying to control it, you’re allowing the emotion to exist without judgment. This simple act of awareness can help you feel less overwhelmed, giving you the space to respond to the anxiety rather than react to it. Over time, this mindful approach can reduce the intensity of anxious feelings, making it easier to manage when they arise. 

🌿 Thank Your Anxiety

 I know this sounds odd, but anxiety is actually trying to protect you. It’s like a well-meaning but overprotective friend who tends to overreact. Anxiety kicks in because your brain perceives a threat, even if it’s not really there. It’s just a bit overzealous sometimes. A simple “thanks, but I’ve got this” can help remind you that while its intentions are good, they’re not needed right now. By responding this way, you’re acknowledging the message without giving it power over you. It’s about creating a mental distance between the anxious thoughts and your actual reality, which helps you feel more in control and less at the mercy of those overwhelming feelings. You’re telling your brain that you're safe, capable, and don’t need the extra protection right now. 

🌿 Remember Past Experiences

 Think back to other times when you’ve felt anxious and remember how it eventually faded away. Anxiety isn’t permanent - it comes and goes, even though in the moment it can feel all-consuming. Reminding yourself of this helps to break the cycle of worry, because you’ve already been through it before and survived. Those past experiences can be a helpful reminder that anxiety, no matter how intense it feels, always passes. It’s just a temporary wave of emotion, and by recalling times when it subsided, you can reinforce the idea that it won’t last forever. This perspective can give you the reassurance you need to ride out the storm, knowing that calm will follow. 

🌿 Try Meditation or Mindfulness

 Even just five minutes of mindfulness or meditation can work wonders to calm your nervous system and help you feel more grounded. You don’t need a long, complicated routine—just a few moments of focused breathing or awareness can make a big difference. These small breaks give your mind and body a chance to reset, slowing down racing thoughts and easing physical tension. By simply tuning into your breath or your surroundings, you create a space where anxiety doesn’t dominate your attention. Over time, regular mindfulness can help build resilience, making it easier to manage anxious feelings when they arise. It’s like giving your mind a gentle pause button, allowing you to return to the present with a sense of calm and control. 

🌿 Keep Doing Your Thing

 Continue with your activities, even if anxiety tags along for the ride. Acknowledge its presence, but don’t give it the power to control what you do. You might notice over time that it starts to fade.

By acknowledging and accepting anxiety, we can start to loosen its grip on us and build a healthier relationship with it.

Remember, though, that everyone’s experience with anxiety is unique. What works for one person might not work for another, so feel free to experiment with different strategies until you find what feels right for you.

Just don’t try to fight anxiety - you won’t win, and you don’t need to! 

Instead, try making peace with it, and you might just find that it makes peace with you.