Anxiety Relief Techniques | Creative ways to handle anxiety

“Oh well! Thy Anxious thought…I wonder if it’s what I sought”

When anxious thoughts become your uninvited dinner guests and you’re just tired of them getting too comfortable and refusing to leave; It’s like they’ve mistaken your brain for a 24/7 diner with unlimited refills. Here’s a take to a different side to the anxious world that, I’m pretty sure, we all deal with.

1. Meet Your Inner Don Quixote

Imagine your mind as a stage and anxious thoughts as the eccentric characters in a never-ending play. I know…I know it’s too much to ask for right at the beginning, but we got to start somewhere…Ain’t that right, bub. Picture Don Quixote tilting at windmills. Just like Quixote, your anxious thoughts are grandiose, but not necessarily real. They’re often more about the drama of the situation than the situation itself.

2. Channel Your Inner Hermione Granger

Remember Hermione Granger from Harry Potter? She’s the queen of knowing just what to do with a pile of problems. If your anxious thoughts are swarming you like a rogue bunch of Hungarian Horntails, it’s time to be the Hermione of your own story. Start by organizing your thoughts with a mental “Time-Turner” – jot down what’s bothering you and tackle them one at a time.

3. Summon the Zen of Buddha

When anxious thoughts start staging a coup, channel some Buddha vibes. In his words, “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” Try a moment of mindfulness or meditation. Think of it as a mental spa day where you let your thoughts float away like bubbles in a gentle breeze.

4. Write a Letter to Your Inner Scrooge

In A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge had to confront his own ghostly fears. Similarly, write a letter to your anxious thoughts. Let them know they’re not welcome to stay for dinner. Tell them what you’d really prefer—calm, peace, maybe a nice cup of tea. Sometimes, giving a voice to your anxieties helps you see them in a new light.

5. Consult the Sage of Modern Psychology

Dr. Daniel Kahneman, in Thinking, Fast and Slow, explains that our brains have two systems: one fast and emotional, the other slow and rational. When anxiety hits, it’s usually the fast system taking charge. Try switching to the slow system. Analyze your thoughts critically, as if you’re a detective solving a case. Is there real evidence for your worries, or are they just mental fireworks?

6. Embrace Your Inner Frodo

Remember Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings? He had to carry a heavy burden, but he didn’t do it alone. Lean on your support system. Talk to friends, family, or even a therapist. They’re like your Fellowship, helping you navigate the rough patches and keeping the dark forces of anxiety at bay.

7. Use a Little Humor

As Oscar Wilde wisely said, “Life is too important to be taken seriously.” Laugh at the absurdity of your anxious thoughts. Picture them in silly costumes or doing a goofy dance. Humor can diffuse the tension and remind you that even the most persistent worries can be laughed at.

So there you have it—your guide to handling those pesky anxious thoughts. Remember, they might be uninvited guests, but with a little creativity and a dash of humor, you can manage them like the quirky, brilliant hero you are.

Now literally, Watch That Thought!