These days, so many things can cause anxiety. It doesn’t matter whether you are old, young, healthy, or sick. But the truth is that the uncertainty around every aspect of our lives makes us anxious. Factors contributing include the COVID-19 pandemic, finances, health, relationships, among others.
Since your body is wired to fight-or-flight response in times of danger or unfamiliar situations, you can’t avoid feeling anxious. However, you can control aggravating anxiety levels and reserve your energy to make wise choices.
Below are negative mindsets that arise from anxiety and how to overcome them.
Being Overcautious
How to overcome such mindsets
Always ensure you train your mind to focus on optimistic, fulfilling, and non-threatening thoughts. Anxiety and worry usually disappear if you learn to calm down and free your mind from the anxiety realm. An excellent way is to focus on the present when you realize you worry more about the future.
Interpreting Unclear Situations as Threatening
Those with anxiety disorders usually perceive threats in conditions where there are fewer chances of something worse occurring. For instance, if you are waiting for a lab medical result, you might believe you will get false results. Instead of focusing on the negative consequences, aim to focus on the positive outcome.
How to overcome this mindset
Always ensure you perceive the positive aspects of every situation and ignore the negative aspects. Also, expand your view since anxiety makes you focus only on the terrifying moments.
Miscalculating the Possibility of Something Serious Happening
Anxiety usually makes our mind perceive a slight likelihood of something serious taking place. The consequences include spending lots of time, energy, resources, and cash preparing for things that most likely won’t occur. For instance, forcing yourself to take costly vitamin C supplements won’t make you have vitamin deficiency if you take different fruits each day.
How to Overcome
Allow statistics and truths to influence your decisions rather than anxiety.
Failure to Focus on Safety Signal Mindsets
Safety signals state that a condition is less dangerous than it could become, or you are free from danger. For instance, if you get frightened of getting involved in a car accident, you may never realize your spouse or friend is an expert and careful driver.
Usually, the design of some sections of your brain can sense danger or safety signals. However, if you have an anxiety disorder, such parts of the brain will malfunction.
To overcome this mindset, use your conscience to focus on aspects of a condition that improve safety. For instance, think about whether a past trauma or distressing experience affects your response to the present conditions.
Final Words on Negative Mindsets
These are not the only negative mindsets that can cause or aggravate anxiety. Therefore, if you continuously worry about your life, situations, health, etc., consider visiting a professional rehab center near you. Ensure you explain your anxiety triggers and anything that makes you feel anxious. An excellent therapist will support you in overcoming negative mindsets that cause anxiety disorders.