Topic this week: Let It Be
I've been receiving a lot of letters lately from those who are having a real tough time with anxiety lately.
Their anxiety level has really risen. I'm going to do the best I can to help you reduce your anxiety levels
and try to figure out why this may be happening.
We all have different issues in our lives that can increase our level of anxiety. I have no clue what those
issues are in your lives. Aside from your own personal issues, the weather is changing and it's now Fall.
We have cooler weather and the days are shorter. There are some who suffer from seasonal affect
disorder which is caused by hours of less sunshine plus the cloudy days of fall and winter. It can really
be depressing and cause depression in some people. Turning lights on during the day and also using
brighter/lighter colors in the house will help.
The holidays are just around the corner and that too can create a lot of anxiety. If you have an already
hectic schedule don't volunteer for things over the holidays. Don't over extend yourself. Sit down and
figure out what the things are that you are doing now that you can delete from your schedule. That will
help as well. Think ahead so you aren't rushing around at the last moment.
Many of us who suffer from anxiety disorders feel the need to control situations etc..
There comes a time when we have to realize that we can't always control things, nor
should we. Letting go of the need to control things is one of the hardest things I've had
to do. The need to control was such a huge part of me that it seemed unnatural not to control things.
There are so many situations that we cannot control that it just drives us up the wall because we cannot
control them. This is why we have to just let the need to control go and just let things 'be'. Not easy, but
it is do-able. It just takes a whole lot of practice and sticking to it.
Let the need to control go and let your higher power or someone else deal with the things you can't control
or shouldn't control. We really do place a lot of burdens on ourselves by thinking we have to control everything.
It's unrealistic to think we can really control things anyway. It's a lot of weight to carry on our shoulders. No
one has shoulders that big.
I'm not sure where our need to control came from or if it's just part of our personality, but we don't need that
stress. Stress creates anxiety. Remember?! The hard part of giving up the control is doing it and knowing how
to do it.
Every time I find myself wanting to control something I simply say "Not this time. It's not my job to control this situation. My title is not The Controller. Today I refuse to try to control anything." Then just let it 'be'. It can be very freeing to just let it all go.
You won't feel comfortable not trying to control things, but in time, you will feel less and less of a need to control.We put the idea in our heads that we need to control and now we must deprogram our thinking. It's not healthy or good to place such unrealistic burdens on ourselves.
Here are a few ways to reduce anxiety:
Let go of the need to contol everything.
Dancing (fast or slow. Doesn't matter. Just have fun with it.)
Meditation/prayer. Quiet the mind chatter.
Yoga
Tai Chi (it's wonderful and the movements are slow and very relaxing to mind and body).
Breathing exercises (breath in and out slowly and make sure you breath into the abdomen).
Talking your anxiety level down by doing 'self talk.'
Exercise. You can walk or do any other type of exercise you choose.
Ride a bike.
Listen to soothing music. I love the New Age/New World music. It's very relaxing.
Read a book that will lift you up. I don't think a murder mystery will help! lol
Do the deep relaxation technique.
Practice letting things be and not thinking you have to control everything. It will take a lot of practice,
but you can do it. You can't do it if you don't try. See how much better you will feel when you don't
have the burden of thinking you must control, on your shoulders.
GOAL FOR THE WEEK
Practice letting things 'be.'
Do some anxiety reducing exercise like the ones above.
INSPIRATION
The Rule of the Inner Self:
"No one outside ourselves can rule us inwardly. When we know this, we become free."
~~The Buddha~~
The Breakthrough:
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it
took to blossom."
~~Anais Nin (France)
A Quiet Mind:
"You must strive for a quiet mind. If the eyes are perpetually restless, they cannot appreciate a
beautiful object set before them; they glance this way and that, and so fail to discern the subtlety
of the object's form and colour. Equally, if the mind is perpetually restless, distracted by a thousand
worldly concerns, it cannot apprehend the truth."
~~St. Basil the Great (Turkey)
TIPS FOR THE WEEK
Collect some pine cones, colored leaves, acorns and things in nature and put them where you can enjoy
looking at them. Bring nature inside.
Ride a bike or take a walk and just be one with nature this week, before cold weather hits.
Ask your significant other to give you a nice body message. Give him/her one in return.
Pamper yourself with a wonderful bubble bath or longer than usual shower.
Light some candles and/or incense. Turn the lights down and enjoy.
AFFIRMATIONS
I no longer feel the need to control everything.
I can relax whenever I want to.
I am who I am and that's enough.
I refuse to allow others to put me down.
I no longer compare myself to others.
I am love and light.
I will use this day to benefit myself and others.
Today I am happy and relaxed.
I will begin today with a smile and a hug from God.
Use this week wisely and carry only positive light and fewer shadows. Enjoy this week and be good to
yourselves and others.
Sue
Anxiety Support Newsletter
